Disc grinder setup

[Josh Blount]

Hey guys,
I just finished a week-long basic bladesmithing class with Larry Harley and now I've got more tools I've got to build
Larry had a disc grinder set up for flattening/ polishing tangs. It used a geared motor with a piece of 8" round phenolic(sp?) bolted to the motor shaft and a piece of tempered glass glued to the phenolic. It was great, and I don't know how I lived without one. But I've got a couple of questions about where to get the supplies. First, where should I look for a geared motor? I'm not sure what rpm the thing was running at, but it was fairly slow. Also, where do you get phenolic? If anybody has anymore thoughts on building the grinder, I'd love to hear them. Thanks!


Josh Blount

[simmonsk]

hi,
I built mine from a variable speed 1 hp baldour motor and a 9" platen all from K&G.
The vs allows you to do slow fine work and bone without heating the material.
9" because that allows the use of a standard sheet of sandpaper. Spray adhesive and trim the edges off.
Flat fits flat...Ken

[Tom Anderson]

Josh:

Phenolic is also called micarta. If you can't find the size you're looking for at any of the knife supply houses, you can try places like MSC (ph 1-800-645-7270) or McMaster/Carr (ph 1-732-329-3200).

I have a steel disc on my horizontal disc grinder and it works just fine.