14-12-2011, 10:12 PM
Hi,
Thanks for the information regarding customs and the possible post office charge David; I'll have nightmares tonight.
I thought Guy Fawkes made a mess of it!!
Whatever happens my belt grinder is slowly taking shape and I shudder to hear of people paying £350 for a factory made one. Even a factory made belt grinder will require the belts.
So far my expense is mostly limited to consumables and the actual machine has only cost the bit of round BMS. I had the bearings in stock and these were obtained when I worked at Brooks. One day I was walking past the scrap area; well I would wouldn't I? I noticed a very large steel bin and this bin must have contained around half a ton of brand new bearings all going to scrap because they had failed the noise test. I had permission from "upstairs" to raid skips and the scrap so brought a box full of bearings home and still have a few in stock. I also had full access to shaft ends and made good use of this as many a night the car came home plane spotting. I used to obtain all sorts of useful items and was even allowed to bring home experimental motors that had been used under test but on the understanding I never sold them.
The offcuts of scrap I obtain from a local sheet metal company from their scrap bin and when I first asked if they had offcuts I loaded the car and asked how much I owed; I was told £3 so handed over a £10 note as the offcuts were worth every penny to me and I can always go back without feeling as though I'm on the scrounge. I just take what is available and store it under the benches and under the bungalow; I have full access under the bungalow; it is too low to stand upright but is like an Aladdin's cave with all my treasures.
Friends give me electric motors and I have a number in stock so a machine such as this belt grinder actually costs me very little; the grinding belts; leather honing belt and abrasive compound will last a long time. Hopefully my machine once made will be as good as the £350 machine; possibly not as pretty but it will be assembled with easily replaceable parts and be built like a tank to last many years. The 4" belt sander I made has already earned its keep. I'm looking forward to having a go at sharpening all my tools using the new grinder; it's a pity the weather is slowing me down as I'm enjoying making it.
Kind regards, Col.
Thanks for the information regarding customs and the possible post office charge David; I'll have nightmares tonight.
I thought Guy Fawkes made a mess of it!!
Whatever happens my belt grinder is slowly taking shape and I shudder to hear of people paying £350 for a factory made one. Even a factory made belt grinder will require the belts.
So far my expense is mostly limited to consumables and the actual machine has only cost the bit of round BMS. I had the bearings in stock and these were obtained when I worked at Brooks. One day I was walking past the scrap area; well I would wouldn't I? I noticed a very large steel bin and this bin must have contained around half a ton of brand new bearings all going to scrap because they had failed the noise test. I had permission from "upstairs" to raid skips and the scrap so brought a box full of bearings home and still have a few in stock. I also had full access to shaft ends and made good use of this as many a night the car came home plane spotting. I used to obtain all sorts of useful items and was even allowed to bring home experimental motors that had been used under test but on the understanding I never sold them.
The offcuts of scrap I obtain from a local sheet metal company from their scrap bin and when I first asked if they had offcuts I loaded the car and asked how much I owed; I was told £3 so handed over a £10 note as the offcuts were worth every penny to me and I can always go back without feeling as though I'm on the scrounge. I just take what is available and store it under the benches and under the bungalow; I have full access under the bungalow; it is too low to stand upright but is like an Aladdin's cave with all my treasures.
Friends give me electric motors and I have a number in stock so a machine such as this belt grinder actually costs me very little; the grinding belts; leather honing belt and abrasive compound will last a long time. Hopefully my machine once made will be as good as the £350 machine; possibly not as pretty but it will be assembled with easily replaceable parts and be built like a tank to last many years. The 4" belt sander I made has already earned its keep. I'm looking forward to having a go at sharpening all my tools using the new grinder; it's a pity the weather is slowing me down as I'm enjoying making it.
Kind regards, Col.
Happiness is a wreck of a cabinet to restore.
