Bench Grinder Project

[Peanut]

I have a large bench grinder up in the shop beside the drill press. A must have when working of farm equipment. But, someone gave me a small bench grinder a couple years ago. It sat in the box for ages. My grandpa’s 3rd bedroom, now my 3rd bedroom, has always been used as a small shop for household projects. A small bench grinder would be nice but there’s no room to mount it on the work bench.

The other day when I was rebuilding the stairway landing I cut off a short piece of 2x10. Not good for anything, just scrap wood, until I got an idea… Always dangerous for me… I decided to make a portable bench grinder.

Today I bought 4, 10-32 bolts with nuts and 1 inch washers. The store had 2” and 2.5” bolts, I was afraid the 2” would be too short so I got the 2.5’s. As it turned out the 2” would have been perfect. I had to cut the 2.5’s off with a dremel tool.

I took the 2x10, laid out 4 holes for the grinder base and drilled bolt holes. On the bottom side I used a 1” hole drill to recess the nuts. I used a dremel sanding wheel to enlarge the holes for easier washer fit. Then mounted the little bench grinder. Perfect support for the grinder. Won’t tip over, feels solid.

When not in use I can sit it in a corner out of the way. It’s not taking up space on my work bench. Heck, I can take it anywhere. Out on the porch or for outside projects where I have generator power.

The is one small problem, vibration. It causes the base to move slowly, wood on wood surfaces. I have an old inner tube up at the shop I cut gaskets out of. I’m gonna cut off a big piece and staple it to the bottom side of the base. Should take care of the problem, no more creep.

As you can see, I have no room to mount a bench grinder. I have an electric grinder for sharpening powersaws, same issue, no where to mount it... until now. Just have to get another piece of 2x10 and I'll have a portable sharpener. When not in use I can set both out of the way, in a corner or on a shelf. When I need either they are ready to go!

 

[Mountain trapper]

Nice setup. It should work fine with the rubber under the 2×10 to stop the creep.
I have a large grinder and a large vice mounted on a short bench with wheels. It can be rolled around where I need it. I keep it parked next to the drill press when not in use. Once I get the blacksmith shop finished I'll move it all out there and mount the vice and the grinder on a new bench.

 

[dademoss]

Excellent , I'm still thinking about the shop downsize in the new house, and what goes where and how. The two bandsaws stand alone, everything is rather smallish and "portable"

 

[Peanut]

The mini-shop is a disaster. Have a major electrical project going that began with rebuilding a stairway landing. I have tools from the main shop down here along with most of the tools from my truck. It’s a mess!

I went back after dinner and straightened up a little. Had to, it was difficult to even do something as simple as putting a base on the grinder… Can’t really get things in order until the re-wiring is done but at least now I can move around a little and have more space on the table. This is also the tornado/storm shelter room. Now have space for a few people if needed.

 

[Magus]

I have a large bench grinder up in the shop beside the drill press. A must have when working of farm equipment. But, someone gave me a small bench grinder a couple years ago. It sat in the box for ages. My grandpa’s 3rd bedroom, now my 3rd bedroom, has always been used as a small shop for household projects. A small bench grinder would be nice but there’s no room to mount it on the work bench.

The other day when I was rebuilding the stairway landing I cut off a short piece of 2x10. Not good for anything, just scrap wood, until I got an idea… Always dangerous for me… I decided to make a portable bench grinder.

Today I bought 4, 10-32 bolts with nuts and 1 inch washers. The store had 2” and 2.5” bolts, I was afraid the 2” would be too short so I got the 2.5’s. As it turned out the 2” would have been perfect. I had to cut the 2.5’s off with a dremel tool.

I took the 2x10, laid out 4 holes for the grinder base and drilled bolt holes. On the bottom side I used a 1” hole drill to recess the nuts. I used a dremel sanding wheel to enlarge the holes for easier washer fit. Then mounted the little bench grinder. Perfect support for the grinder. Won’t tip over, feels solid.

When not in use I can sit it in a corner out of the way. It’s not taking up space on my work bench. Heck, I can take it anywhere. Out on the porch or for outside projects where I have generator power.

The is one small problem, vibration. It causes the base to move slowly, wood on wood surfaces. I have an old inner tube up at the shop I cut gaskets out of. I’m gonna cut off a big piece and staple it to the bottom side of the base. Should take care of the problem, no more creep.

View attachment 169670View attachment 169671View attachment 169672View attachment 169673


As you can see, I have no room to mount a bench grinder. I have an electric grinder for sharpening powersaws, same issue, no where to mount it... until now. Just have to get another piece of 2x10 and I'll have a portable sharpener. When not in use I can set both out of the way, in a corner or on a shelf. When I need either they are ready to go!

View attachment 169674

Add a carrying handle and a C-clamp or two.

 

[Peanut]

Add a carrying handle and a C-clamp or two.

C-clamp? got you covered! And a couple 5ft clamps in the corner beside the 4ft rolling tool box. I can't get to those because of the freezer, green house and shelving... I have got to clean this room out!!! Way too much stuff in here!

 

[OldSchool]

Nice work and you’re right about a rubber base to eliminate the creep due to vibration. I’ve been there and done that when dressing the wheel didn’t solve the problem. In that particular case it was because the arbor holding the wheel was not ‘true’ and wheel wobbled from side to side.

 

[OldSchool]

As a side note: I’m sure a dermal tool was fine for cutting 10x32 bolts, but those are screws in my book… Might be time to jump off the porch and piss with the dogs using 5/16 bolts and a pneumatic die grinder with cutoff wheel. Lol?
I literally have 100’s of hours using die grinders with cutoff wheels, carbide bits and grinding stones, not so much with a dermal tool. Just saying, and yes I tease.