Tool Post Grinder For the Mini Lathe...Modified Rossbotics plans

[jjr2001]

The original plans by Doug Ross are available here:
http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/t...6306#post66224

The plans are very detailed with instructions and photos.
My lathe is only a 7x16 so the grinder is a bit large for my setup so I did have to make some changes.
Biggest change was the length of the support bar that attaches to the tool post. I cut 4 inches from the length
and I placed two holes in the bar so that I had two options for mounting on the tool post.
The belt specified was not available. I actually ordered the belt and the supplier cancelled the order since it was not in stock.
I did have a few timing belt pulleys so I used them along with a 540mm x 15mm wide timing belt.

I also changed the motor to one I found on eBay that was much smaller and made adjustments to the mounting plate.
The spindle was shortened by 1".

In retrospect I could have changed the external grinding shaft from .500" to .375" to use smaller grinding wheels.

With the grinder mounted on a custom tool post riser and using the longest reach I have more than 3.5" from
center of the lathe to center of the tool post grinder. That should be enough reach for anything that I would need to grind.

Overall this is a great set of plans that can be modified to your specific needs without much work.
Thanks again Doug for a great set of plans.

Cheers, JR

I will post this build in sections since there are more than 20 pictures to post.

[jjr2001]

I had to think about how to make this one a bit. I took the easy way out and used a piece of
steel rod 1.250" in diameter. Milled two flats on it 180 degrees apart for the full length.
While holding on the flats in the mill vise I drilled the 0.265 holes. Counter sunk the holes.
Sliced it on the band saw to make the washer.
Cleaned up the washer on the mill.

Cheers, JR

[jjr2001]

Spindle arbors in the blue.
Spindle housing beside a similar blank of aluminum rod.
Most of the spindle parts.

[jjr2001]

Two motors are available for high speed 10K rpm and low speed 5K rpm.
Large pulley may be used to reduce speed if necessary due to grinding wheel specs.

Cheers, JR

[rossbotics]

Great work JR.
Looks really nice sitting on the cross slide of your machine, you did a great job on the modifications to adapt it to your Lathe, one question though, is it a little noisy with the timing belt?

Great job again and thank you for posting your completed project on the site for all to see.

Doug

[jjr2001]

What? I can't hear you! Yes it is a bit noisy but not ear shattering or anything like that. I think for occasional use
it will be fine in my shop. My VFD for the lathe makes almost as much noise and I have set it to run continuously.
I considered using the timing belt on the smooth side and I will try that even with the timing pulleys. If it runs ok
I can always make some crowned pulleys. Thought it might be too stiff to form to the crowns.

Thanks again for the very nice set of plans.

Cheers, JR

[DIYer]

Thanks jjr2001! We've added your Tool Post Grinder to our Lathe Accessories category,
as well as to your builder page: jjr2001's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Tool Post Grinder by jjr2001

tags: grinder, tool post