Thinking of building a belt grinder. Any advice?

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Ok I was at my LWS and saw this belt grinder (hobby guy). I have never seen one before and think this would be a nice time saver on various projects. Picture of grinder: http://www.ellissaw.com/Belt-Grinder...0-belt-grinderI have the following bench grinder for a motor http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-8-i...5?N=5yc1vZc29tIt seems kind of straight forward, is this a foolish thought?Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:I thought about making one for a while, then eventually just gave in and bought one of these: http://www.trick-tools.com/Multitool...5#.VM7deGh4ptEI've only had it for a couple months, but so far it's been awesome. I felt like making one wouldn't have saved me that much money, but the big motivator was that I have plenty of other project ideas and the belt grinder was not first on that list. And since I wanted the grinder for the other projects...well, you know. I've got it on a 1HP Jet grinder and it eats metal pretty quick. I'm just a hobbyist too, making **** here and there in my garage.The only issue I have with it is that the 2x36 belts seem to be kinda difficult to find, but Trick Tools has a wide range (from 24 grit to 1200 grit Trizact to Scotch-Brite) and I've even heard that some people just cut 4x36 belts in half. Though I've made a headache rack, bandsaw stand, and welder cart since then and I'm still on my first belt, so it's not like I go through them too quickly.I'm not trying to discourage you at all, just provide another alternative. If you end up making one, I'd love to see what you come up with!
Reply:You might check out this guys site. He's got kits and stuff to build belt grinders. I grabbed some info from some one else at the ABANA conference this past summer on belt grinder kits, but I can't remember who they were off the top of my head. I'll look and see if I can't put my hands on that info if I don't end up plowing tomorrow.http://waynecoeartistblacksmith.com/...nder_Kits.htmlEdit these might be the guys who I saw at ABANA http://www.beaumontmetalworks.com/sh...y.aspx?catid=6.No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Here's one, similar to the Beaumont one,    http://www.wilmontgrinders.com/Pages/EERFGrinder.aspxL-Tec PCM-VPi II Hobart Handler140Millermatic 35Lincoln Power arc 4000Lincoln Ranger 10,000 ( 3 ) Longevity Tigweld 160SX Purox O/A setup100lb anvilXLO/servosource cnc mill
Reply:Thanks. I will follow upDave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:Big following from knifemakers building their own 2" grinders.  Lots of plans out there.  This site will give you an idea of what's available.http://usaknifemaker.com/grinders-sa...s-c-99-59.html
Reply:ian1386 That may be the ticket I don't think I can make it for much less and I agree its a tool to help with other projects. When I saw the Ellis I thought man I could use that, then I saw the price and said I will build one.Oldsparks Knife making must be more popular than I thought.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:@ Reebs - access the GIB build kit available at www.polarbearforge.com/grinder_kit.html.  Jamie's a good dude.  Recommend you go for a 2" x 72" setup.Last edited by ManoKai; 02-02-2015 at 07:46 PM."Discovery is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought" - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWYou might check out this guys site. He's got kits and stuff to build belt grinders. I grabbed some info from some one else at the ABANA conference this past summer on belt grinder kits, but I can't remember who they were off the top of my head. I'll look and see if I can't put my hands on that info if I don't end up plowing tomorrow.http://waynecoeartistblacksmith.com/...nder_Kits.htmlEdit these might be the guys who I saw at ABANA http://www.beaumontmetalworks.com/sh...y.aspx?catid=6
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWYou might check out this guys site. He's got kits and stuff to build belt grinders. I grabbed some info from some one else at the ABANA conference this past summer on belt grinder kits, but I can't remember who they were off the top of my head. I'll look and see if I can't put my hands on that info if I don't end up plowing tomorrow.http://waynecoeartistblacksmith.com/...nder_Kits.htmlEdit these might be the guys who I saw at ABANA http://www.beaumontmetalworks.com/sh...y.aspx?catid=6
Reply:I got one from trick tools and like it. I then saw a far better unit at Hartville Hardware in Hartville Ohio.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio