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Stationary or Movable Grinder Pedestal

Robin Thompson

Robin Thompson

Joined
May 19, 2011
Messages
92
Likes
18
Location
Sarnia, Ontario
Recently purchased a 1 HP Rikon grinder with CBN wheels. With a design in mind, I am now rounding up the steel materials to build a pedestal. Currently I am sharing a turning room with someone else. I was initially thinking of securing the base to the floor and was asked if we could put wheels on the base to allow it to be moved closer to the lathe being used. In 8 years both lathes in the turning room have not been used at the same time due to our schedules. I'm saying I would rather not build it with it casters on the base and the other person of course would prefer it. What are your thoughts on this?
 
As long as the caster base is wide enough for stability, and you use locking castors, I see no problem with making it mobile. My grinder sits on top of a set of drawers I built way back when. Felt like moving the wheel centers to ‘elbow height’ a few years ago, so I added a box on top that houses the vacuum pump.
It’s great to be able to move it up close to the lathe while turning, and out of the way when I’m doing other things. The best thing I did was to raise up the grinder to elbow height - much better view of what I’m doing and better control of the tools. I can dig around for a photo...
 
I would likely us a wooden cabinet and mount casters on it.
You can always run bolts through the bottom. So when you move it, lower the bolts so the wheels are a tiny bit off the ground, and it no longer rolls.

The cabinet is invaluable for storing "Stuff"

Seems like the grinder is about 60lbs, so it won;t need much of a base.
 
I built a new stand for my grinder many years ago and at first it had wheels on it. It was very stable. You aren't really pushing on the grinder when you use it. I had used cheap casters and they started having problems and I realized that I never moved it any more so I removed them. I actually like having my grinder a little ways from the lathe. The walk back and forth relaxes my back and feet and helps make it so I can turn all day.
 
You could tell the other person that walking is good aerobic exercise. :D

My Tormek grinder is about thirty feet from my lathe and my dry grinder is about fifty feet away. I could move them closer, but I don't want to.

I guess that some folks are in a bigger hurry than I am.
 
You might also consider that putting wheels on the grinder makes it much more portable... in a space you share with someone, which presumably means you don't have control of that space 100% of the time... a portable grinder with wheels would be very easy to slide out the door.... not impugning your space mate... just saying that if you don't have access control over the space then portable stuff possibly could walk out the door. It's a consideration.
 
All good points. Thanks folks. Being Canadian I am expected to have to follow our illustrious Prime Ministers example and should refer to you all as "peoplekind." Not happening today or any other day.
 
Robin, Princess Auto and Busy Bee have grinder pedestals. I have had one of each for several years. BB unit is stronger but by adding some bolts to the PA unit I improved it.
 
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