10-19-2017, 08:36 PM
(This post was last modified: 10-19-2017, 08:43 PM by randyc.
Edit Reason: add P.S.
)
A tool grinder must have the capability to adjust to any compound angle, right ? For commercial tool grinders (mucho thousands of $$$) this is accomplished by a series of precision slides, adjustable to various angles, the capability to rotate in three dimensions and so forth.
It hit me that a camera tripod head is adjustable to any compound angle, like a tool grinder, albeit without the capability of pre-setting to fixed angles and the precision slides and stops.
This is a sketch of my hillbilly grinder concept. I've ordered a chinese tripod head from eBay for $6 to check the concept and if it looks practical, I'll buy a good head (like the one on my French-made Gitzo tripod).
At the far left of the sketch is the motor and cup wheel. The sliding tool holder is not shown in the sketch but it will probably be something similar to the one I already use. (I can't figure out how to enlarge this sketch unfortunately.)
The head can be adjusted to any reasonable angle, it can be raised and lowered, rotated, moved forward and backward to accommodate a work envelope of about 4 x 4 inches. If this works, and with the proper collet or vee-block system, maybe I'll even be able to sharpen end mills.
The cost of this thing should be small, I think that I have less than $100 into the wheel and the motor. The rest, except for the tripod head, is just fabrication. Whaddayathink, any suggestions ?
P.S. Obviously this concept would be a light (lighter, lightest ...) duty machine. I envision roughing on the system I already have and making the finish passes on this thing. With a solid head like the Gitzo and careful, light work, I think that this might work fairly well.
It hit me that a camera tripod head is adjustable to any compound angle, like a tool grinder, albeit without the capability of pre-setting to fixed angles and the precision slides and stops.
This is a sketch of my hillbilly grinder concept. I've ordered a chinese tripod head from eBay for $6 to check the concept and if it looks practical, I'll buy a good head (like the one on my French-made Gitzo tripod).
At the far left of the sketch is the motor and cup wheel. The sliding tool holder is not shown in the sketch but it will probably be something similar to the one I already use. (I can't figure out how to enlarge this sketch unfortunately.)
The head can be adjusted to any reasonable angle, it can be raised and lowered, rotated, moved forward and backward to accommodate a work envelope of about 4 x 4 inches. If this works, and with the proper collet or vee-block system, maybe I'll even be able to sharpen end mills.
The cost of this thing should be small, I think that I have less than $100 into the wheel and the motor. The rest, except for the tripod head, is just fabrication. Whaddayathink, any suggestions ?
P.S. Obviously this concept would be a light (lighter, lightest ...) duty machine. I envision roughing on the system I already have and making the finish passes on this thing. With a solid head like the Gitzo and careful, light work, I think that this might work fairly well.