Base grinding
Moderators: Head Monkey, kelvin, bigKam, skidesmond, chrismp
As I live about 4000km from the nearest snow or snowsports shop I had to figure out some way of doing my own grinds. Obviously not too many base grinding machines come up for sale here either.
So I made a big (250mm) drum to fit on an old wood lathe I bought for $50 from a local school having an auction on some old equipment. The lathe ended up being in great condition.
So far I've only ground 5 boards with it, but they have all come out pretty good.
It's obviously not nearly as fast as a proper grinder, but the results are pretty good and the boards have all performed well, and are definitely quick on the snow. Though I have noticed the first wax job doesn't last very long. The second wax job lasts what you normally expect from a good hot wax.
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The photo was taken after a bit of hard grinding and the sanding cloth was due to be changed but you get the idea.
I had to make a new top pulley for it to slow it down.
I use 50mm wide sanding belt wrapped from one end of the drum to the other with some clips I made at each end.
All up it cost me $60 to make and I get 8 lengths of sanding belt from a $30 roll.
I'm happy with it for now, but if any of you guys want to swap your grinding machine for it I'm open to offers
So I made a big (250mm) drum to fit on an old wood lathe I bought for $50 from a local school having an auction on some old equipment. The lathe ended up being in great condition.
So far I've only ground 5 boards with it, but they have all come out pretty good.
It's obviously not nearly as fast as a proper grinder, but the results are pretty good and the boards have all performed well, and are definitely quick on the snow. Though I have noticed the first wax job doesn't last very long. The second wax job lasts what you normally expect from a good hot wax.
[/img]
The photo was taken after a bit of hard grinding and the sanding cloth was due to be changed but you get the idea.
I had to make a new top pulley for it to slow it down.
I use 50mm wide sanding belt wrapped from one end of the drum to the other with some clips I made at each end.
All up it cost me $60 to make and I get 8 lengths of sanding belt from a $30 roll.
I'm happy with it for now, but if any of you guys want to swap your grinding machine for it I'm open to offers
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I agree, that thing scares the hell out of me! Please be careful.
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On the edge of control is a good place to be!
- MontuckyMadman
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Well hell if he's naked then all safety precautions have been accounted for. Grind away!
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On the edge of control is a good place to be!
On the edge of control is a good place to be!
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Autofeed?? HAHA, imagine that, a $60 home built grinder with autofeed
It does look a bit dodgy in that photo but it actually is fairly safe. It has only flicked me off a couple of times and I know where to be careful now
I was thinking about building flat boards either side of the wheel with only about 2 inches of wheel sitting above it then it'd be pretty hard for it to grab anything. Plus I was thinking it might even make for a better grind job.
I then want to add an angle support so I can stand boards up on their edge and grind the sidewall angle on it too.
Thank you all for the concern of my safety though. It doesn't go unappreciated.
Montucky - my girlfriend does have a photo on her phone if me waxing a board in just my underwear once, I don't remember why I wasn't wearing much at the time, but a bit of hot wax in the wrong spot could be nasty too.
It does look a bit dodgy in that photo but it actually is fairly safe. It has only flicked me off a couple of times and I know where to be careful now
I was thinking about building flat boards either side of the wheel with only about 2 inches of wheel sitting above it then it'd be pretty hard for it to grab anything. Plus I was thinking it might even make for a better grind job.
I then want to add an angle support so I can stand boards up on their edge and grind the sidewall angle on it too.
Thank you all for the concern of my safety though. It doesn't go unappreciated.
Montucky - my girlfriend does have a photo on her phone if me waxing a board in just my underwear once, I don't remember why I wasn't wearing much at the time, but a bit of hot wax in the wrong spot could be nasty too.
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