How to: Build a 2x72 Belt Grinder - Generation 4 Revolution
This video is a walk through on how to build the Gen 4 version of the Revolution 2x72 Belt Grinder. Each section is designed for the builder to follow along. Time stamps below for each part.
Intro: 0:00
Parts Overview: 3:40
Tube Steel Cuts: 6:33
The Receiver Tubes: 10:31
The Tracking Pillar: 18:42
Welding up the Body: 24:52
The Risers: 29:58
The Tracking Arm: 38:08
The Base Assembly: 43:16
The Motor Plate to Body Assembly: 46:55
Body Assembly to Hinges & Base: 48:28
The Platen Arm: 57:28
Platen Bracket & D-Plate Assembly: 1:03:57
Mounting the Tracking Arm & Spring: 1:13:35
Tracking Mechanism: 1:14:42
The Work Rest: 1:22:13
Bolting up the Motor: 1:38:14
► Link to Plans for the DIY Tilting 2x72 Belt Grinder ►► bit.ly/2Pa7JvZ
►► Take all the hard work out this build and buy the Ultimate Build Bundle for the 2x72 Belt Grinder ►► bit.ly/2WIPgt4
► Link to Wheels ►►bit.ly/3vwq3Vn
►► FACEBOOK GROUP FOR DIY BELT GRINDERS◄◄ / diybeltgrinders
►►Work For It Podcast Spotify◄◄
open.spotify.com/show/0uz3L0b...
►►Work For It Podcast Apple ◄◄ podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast...
►► Makery Network Website ◄◄ makery.network
►► Empire Abrasives Affiliate Link (10% off first order)►►lddy.no/swep
►►Tools ◄◄
► Evolution Chop Saw ► amzn.to/38EXycn
► Pneumatic File ► amzn.to/2OuR1Kv
► Welder I use ► amzn.to/36AQDxY
► Magnetic Brace Tools ► amzn.to/2SuC62q
►Socket Allen Wrench Kit► amzn.to/3nT3NOo
► Large Magnetic Brace tools (RED) ► amzn.to/2SDYbLY
► Tap-Magic ► amzn.to/39lXBsa
► Welding / Grinding Mask ► amzn.to/2tMS5yP
► JET Milling Machine ► amzn.to/2ZQqzwk
► Hold Down Clamping Mill Set ► amzn.to/2SQFeWM
► LED Sewing Machine Lamp ► amzn.to/36pWsOK
► Magnetic Level ► amzn.to/3sAXt1C
►►2x72 Supplies◄◄
► 2HP Iron Horse Motor ► bit.ly/2UUZMhR
► VFD (To Control the Motor) ► amzn.to/2XLg0vd
► Reverse Switch for VFD ► amzn.to/2OVUWgA
► Wheels ►► bit.ly/3vwq3Vn
► 2" Wide High Carbon Steel Plate (For platen face) ► bit.ly/37qo2wM
Disclaimer: House / Work may earn an affiliate commission when you buy through the links here.
PATREON ►► / housework
BUY ME A COFFEE ► (one time donation to support my work): www.buymeacoffee.com/housework
INSTAGRAM ► / house__work
WEBSITE ► www.HouseWork.us
2x72 belt grinder build variable speed 2 x 72 belt grinder
Before buying this sander I would use a rotary sander kzhead.infoUgkx3Pc2vLXfcgM5oIpF1iYcIWyFhHUC-G6v and didn't see the need for a belt sander. Boy was I wrong. this belt sander does the job quickly and gives a professional finish to the wood work.
Thank you! 🙏🏼
Brian great job all the way around.! The printed templates, printed instructions along with this video made for a very successful build. I will add that you really need to buy the $10 HF tap and die kit as the need to continue tapping thru both sides of the tracking mechanism is crucial. My expensive taps wouldn’t allow that to happen. Anyone with reservations about this unit, rest assured that it is a beast once done right.
I'm so stoked , just joined the revolution, after earning my way up on a 1×30 4yrs now , thx brother !!!!
Yes!! Awesome man!! ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
Dude I think KZhead doesnt like you're channel god knows why, but it's really hard you search your channel out. Spelled it perfect, And you were still like 9th from the top.
I just changed my channel name from House / Work to HouseMade. That might be why. Thanks for digging me up!
Do you still like doing house 🪠 work🧹?
😅😊😊😅😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😢😊😊😊😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢❤😊
Just sub. Then look from his channel. 😊
Really beautiful machine. It's ideal for my workshop. I will copy this one.
Dear Brian, when tapping by hand, you should relieve the pressure on your tap by regularly turning in reverse for say ¼ turn every 2 full turns. You can feel the swarf breaking off when you reverse turn. Despite doing hundreds of threads I have never snapped a tap. I like your design, much simpler than other iterations of this machine. Thanks for sharing.
You are the pinnacle of engineering creativity.
Thank you my friend!
I'm impressed, you did some great engineering here. I'm going to try one of your projects I just suck at welding LOL, Its been a handicap for me maybe I'll get a little practice on this cool project. I made a conveyer for one of the machines I build last year, it was a painful process I don't have the knowledge of the motors and stuff so thats been a new study and the only thing lacking to finish that project. I appreciate every part of this project. would be a good one for me because you've worked out the points that someone would stump their toe with. I have a machine shop tooled up really well but this is a great project a person could do in their garage with basic stuff. I can go on about this but I'm just glad I ran across this thank you for sharing. I'll be ordering some of your stuff
Dreaming here - it would be an incredible addition to add a protractor to the work surface and laser guide... Fantastic video. I really enjoyed your project even though my shop is lacking too much to make this and do it justice.
Yes that is a great idea.
Yeah, it's WAY easier to build a hundred dollar belt sander if you already have a hundred thousand dollar machine shop.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I am sure it will help a lot of people. Awesome image quality.
Thank you Kewyn! Cheers! ⚡️
Your printed plans have been outstanding. I just finished building my today. Now just need to take it apart and paint it. I’ve been fabricating for over 20 years and this project definitely tested my machining skills. Lol. Thanks to all the details in your plans. Keep up the good work.
20 years and that tested you?
)
Hi Brian. Great Belt Sander. Just bought the Plans and I have already purchased enough Material from watching the Video. Can’t wait to get started. I have been wanting a good Belt Sander for a while now. I never saw any I really liked until I saw yours. Anyway, Thanks for coming up with the design and making the Plans available to all of us poor Home Hobby Shop Guys and Gals 👍
You're welcome, thank you Joey.
Sorry to resurrect a year old comment: what was your build materials cost (ya know, with steel prices what they are), and how long did this project take you?
Just put my first belt on the revolution 2x72, tracked really good within first 5 min of adjustment, as a fabricator this build was awesome, great plans and instructions, thanks brian for taking the time to develop this sweet machine!!!!
Hell yeah man! Glad it went well and you enjoyed the build. Cheers! 💪🏻😎
My 2 x 72 has replaced so many tools in my shop. An amazing tool!
Agreed! Great tool to own.
😂😂😂😂Dude you’re killing me, I can’t even pay attention to what you’re doing, makes me watch it again 👍👍👍 love it!
😂😂😂
I wasn't sure I could build this until I saw that you have the same oil can that I do. Thanks!
It's an important tool! 😁
Excelente! Gracias por compartir!!
Great video Brian!!! The step by step process really focuses on detail and that’s a really good thing!! Congrats !!!!
Thank you my friend! ⚡️⚡️⚡️
BEAUTIFUL!!! Love the video! Looking into the kit.
Buying one in a few days Such a nice piece of equipment! 👍
Everybody needs one…
Dream machine. Thank you for your hard work.
Thank you for watching and commenting. It means a lot. 🙏🏼
Excellent work Brian ☺️
Thank you Eric!!! 💪🏻😁
Very impressive video! I will be ordering a kit.
Thank you!! 💪🏻😁
I am waiting for this video for a long time. I know it's coming out during the middle of this march.
Glad you like it!
@@HouseMadeUS What is the size of your belt grinder pivot bolt and where did you get yours from please tell it would be really helpful
Just finishing the Gen 4 ! Motor and vfd next ! Thx Brian for responding to me while building
You got it, Travis. Hope you enjoy the rest of the build!
Just ordered the ultimate bundle yesterday. This is my 4th time ~ total watch thru ~ and I AM READY & STOKED. Love your content and how open you are to your knowledge and skills for the DIY'er. Sty Frosy my friend and hope to put up some content of my build here on the "tubes" YOU SIR... Are the man. Thank You!
Heck yeah man. I don't plan on building a 2x72 any time soon, but still enjoyed watching this build greatly.
Thank you James!! 💪🏻😁
@@HouseMadeUS watching redbeards ops is how you ended up in my recommended videos. I'm sure I'm not alone in that.
I can't believe your dedication to your fanbase and customer service. I had a question that I emailed you, and you got right back to me with the answer, when you could just have said go watch the video, which I did also. I got the set of plans today, (just to start wrapping my mind around it all), I plan on ordering the bundle soon, (with knifetalk10, inside podcast joke LOL), when my taxes come in. I appreciate the time that you've taken to make this video. It had to have taken you a month of editing, wow. But your job is also making content and that helps pay the bills and I am glad to be part of your circle. Thank you for all you do, Brian you are the best. Just my thoughts, from a Guy in Tucson
Thank you Guy, I appreciate your support of my work. This project is truly a passion project for me. Every day I wake up to messages in my inbox, questions, pictures of both grinder builds and the things made with it. Its become such a huge part of my life. Thank you again for helping me keep going!! Cheers!
And thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, for sharing your creation, making video tutorials to follow during the build, and being an all round good dude. I can say that I'm getting better at drilling and tapping holes, namely, keeping the darm tap square with the work! But, I just finished the last hole, and wish I had more to do... guess I'll have to build that file guide for perfect bevels and false edges. Maybe I'll make it out of steel ;) Appreciate ya Brian, thanks again
Ordered. Received. Working for it.
Thank you!! ⚡️⚡️⚡️
Thanks, outstanding work.
Many thanks!
Nice build and looks really simple, I would suggest adding a handle to the top of the tensioning arm for ease of changing belts
Definitely a great add-on. I have designed a few, Ill have to refine it and get it out there. Thanks Jeff!
Good suggestion, I put a handle on the tracking pillar parallel to the reciever tube myself
HERMOSO TRABAJO........SALUDOS
Rad video Bryan, diffidently gonna have this going while I'm putting mine together!
⚡️⚡️⚡️ Yeah man! It's on the way!! ⚡️⚡️⚡️
I really enjoyed watching this! I studied Machine Shop in high school many years ago, chiefly on a 13" South Bend lathe. I had to leave the trade because I eventually had to go into the Service. I'm sure you had your reasons though, but I'd wondered why you didn't use a coolant, such as varsol, while machining that aluminum piece on the Bridgepoint miller.
Thanks for sharing... I really enjoyed watching
Thank you! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Love your work brother.
Thank you so much Omar.
hey @House / Work for the base assembly (46:00 mark) if you add a 3.75" sleeve to go on that bolt between the tubes, and a nut to lock it down, it could make everything stay together perfectly while you weld
Great idea! I'll be trying that for mine.
I just went ahead and assembled the pivot plates, and risers per plans and tacked in place, to the reciever tubes, and base plate, didnt do the all thread, just got all parts in their final resting place and rolled with it
Awesome Build 👍👍👍
Use rubber cement to glue your paper templates to your metal when shaping to size any cut materials
For those of us with Gen 3 setups, can you please sell just the new D-plate and work rest parts? I’d consider upgrading for the right price, likely leading towards a 2nd full build over time.
Fantastic work. 😊😊
Thanks Michael, it’s been a great ride with this machine! 👊🏻⚡️
Brian, the way you use the minor errors that occurred in your build process to educate the viewer is exceptional! We'll all run into these things and having you walk us through how you resolved those issues are a tremendous help. At least for me it is. As someone who's taught others for over 30 years, I can give you high props for the depth of your communication/education of those who will purchase your product. So, many thanks for using your minor errors to help us through the build process. I'm not quite ready yet but I've been watching you since you began. Thank you for your dedication to this project. And, you're right, these grinders will be used in many ways, maybe the least of which may be Knife building. I use grinders often in my shop in designing several products I'm bringing to market as well. Your's is, without question, THE best 2 x 72" Grinder on ALL sources I've looked for guidance, and the kit, great job on that. Laser cutting is probably your biggest cost but I'm betting it's been well worth it for all. It definitely will be for me!!
I know nothing about machining or welding but I thoroughly enjoyed watching you fabricate this awesome machine.
⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️Thank you Peter!! ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
Do not forget to always activate the Arabic language. Your channel is very wonderful and distinctive. I am from Egypt. I follow you. I wish you good luck and thank you 💟💟💟
I’m not sure how to do this. Do you know? KZhead only will do English it seems like. Thank you Mohamed. I appreciate you! 💪🏻😁
@@HouseMadeUS Thank you and I wish you luck and lasting success
Thank You.
I use it for my job and I am a shoe repair person, grinding leather sole and so on thank you
Awesome video!! Thanks
Thank you so much!
Thanks!
Great video!!
Thank you Joe!! 💪🏻😁
I was able 2 fix my mess up 2day I drilled 3/8 holes in the reviving tube , I just used the other side n drilled tge 5/16 hole then tapped with the 3/8 tap , loving it bro thx again
Ahh yes. Gotta drill 5/16 first! Glad you got it sorted. 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻
Amazing
nice work
Amazing project! Funny that the main plate was upside down though, your logo is now H / M!
Cool build, Brian! Wish this was around when I was building my first 2x72 a few years ago! 😜
Every workshop needs three! 😎 thanks for watching. 💪🏻😁
I love how after he welds he blows on it as if it’s gonna help in anyway. It’s funny to me because I do the same shit sometimes then think to myself “why did I just do that” haha. Great video.
It doesn't help!? 😂😂😂 reflex I guess. Thanks for watching. 👊🏻
Great video. Thanks for muting the machine sounds. My neighbor wanted me thrown out on the street for making to much noise - all I was doing was listening to KZhead - How To videos. ;-)
Haha! I get annoyed by it when I watch other tooling videos so why wouldn’t I make that small adjustment for my viewers!? 😂 Thanks for watching and commenting. It really helps support my work. 💪🏻😁
@@HouseMadeUS My hope is others follow your excellent example.
1:43:02 did you make a vid about vfds and phase conversion yet? Couldnt find one in your video library.
I'm gonna make one of these to clean parts at my work
Awesome. Thank you.
About to tackle this awesome project. Question tho . 3600rpm 3 phase motors here in New Zealand are scary expensive . I have a 2800rpm single phase 240v one , do you think this will be suffice
Awesome~
Thanks!!!
I was waiting for the gen 4 video thanks man for this amazing project ❤️🙏
Thank you!! Glad you are watching. 💪🏻😁
Hello there from Scotland, Glasgow to be precise, loved your video, thanks for the time & effort you made to make it, & for the clear precice instructions, I will be ordering one off your top of the range kits, & plans, I'm now off to watch more off your videos, cheers again, PS, I subscribed after 5 minutes into this, its the Dogs.
Thank you Les!! It’s a fun project and a tool of a lifetime. - Cheers from Sunny Florida! 🤩
@@HouseMadeUS Cheers what is the name of the software to make the conceptual design
I made a 24 inch belt sander. Nothing like the quality of yours.
Can't wait to start build on one. Hope it comes soon
Boxed up and most are out the door early this week. 💪🏻😁
@@HouseMadeUS cool man
Can the DFX Plans be converted to metric after I buy them?
Fantastic! I do suggest at steps "body assy to hinges and base". a wood spacer in place to help hold hinge rounds square helps a lot, also used wood spacers for the risers to keep them evenly spaced, once assembly and is welded up they come off easy.
This beast is just awesome! And at $424.00 it's not a bad price considering most of these high-end quality built belt sanders are well over a thousand dollars. I like that you have to source the motor and the VFD. Depending on its purpose, you can buy the appropriate size motor for it. You can also buy second-hand motors much cheaper than new ones. I wish I had the money to buy one for myself because of the laser cutting you will get precise and accurate parts. I was planning to build my own someday, but I may start saving to purchase the bundle. Great project!!
Thank you!! 🙌🏻
When mounting the base hinges to the main motor plate why not add a compression spring between the inner hinges to hold them against the shims rather than try to juggle a clamp on them - it can be removed after.
What is the size and model of your Evolution Chop saw, I want to buy that one. I have a old tired horizontal bandsaw, that pardon the pun, just isn't cutting it. Where can I buy it, I live in the Dallas area.
Just ordered this the other day. I can't wait. Been using a 1/3 hp 4x36. I make hammers and other tools. Some knives. A 4x36 is terrible... so slow so weak. Had my eye on one of your grinder builds for some time now. Def best option for me. I wanted to build my own but don't have the free time to actually sit down and make prints. Thank you brian, For creating this beautiful machine.
Right on man, thank you for your support. I really appreciate it.
We use a mix of brass and steel. Brass is really hard to come by lately. The steel ones we use are similar to the brass in wearability.
@@HouseMadeUS yeah thats an oddball part. I ended up getting some nylon washers the same size just not as thick. So 2 stacked. Im gonna test em out and see how they work. There much cheaper than the brass. 10 bucks for 100.
I use a hook spanner in the chuck key pilot holes when tapping holes with my drill chuck.
Great suggestion
Put a 3 ¾ spacer at the top and snugg the bolt to hold while tacking and final weld.
I’ve been working on making a version of gen4 adapted with a Shopsmith as the VFD instead of a separate motor. This removes the rotation capacity, but it saves money for those of us with woodworking investments.
Next week I will pull the trigger on this. I have been saving and checking out all the big name grinders. This allows me to use my tig welder and put my own touches on it. Thanks for the good videos.
Thanks Mark, I appreciate it.
Trigger pulled ! Waiting with welder on and tig torch with sharp tungsten electrode. I'm really excited man my little 1x30 will be used for other knife processes. Good day to all !
Excelente trabalho, infelizmente aqui no Brasil é muito caro uma lixadeira de cinta! Você pode disponibilizar o projeto em PDF? Desde já agradeço a atenção, grande abraço.👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Awesome video! Really considering this build. I am still new to welding, can I use the cheapo arc welder I have for these welds? Or do I need something like a mig welder?
I prefer MIG as it is cleaner but a lot of people use flux core or stick. Works great.
Awesome.. Pity can't get it in South Africa but I guess if I get the plans I might have the parts cut here....
Yes we include the DXF cut sheets so that can happen where we don't ship. Thank you Dewald.
Sorry if this has been asked but I can't figure out what the tapped holes on the Platten bracket are used for in this design.
That vinegar bath looks like it's straight off the set of those SAW torture movies from the early 2000s
It smells like a pickle though! 😆
Kick ass!!!
Thank you Ben!!
Great video... curious if they sell already built? I love making knives but terrible at fabricating. 😏
Do you use industrial 30% vinegar or just std household vinegar?
Standard household vinegar.
Hi Brian, just finished to build and tune my Revolution grinder with your plans and videos! Just wanted to know... Is it normal for the platen and the wheels to become quite hot?
No you should make sure your wheels have a spacer between the bearings. If not then those will burn up pretty quick. The cheap wheels don't have that. Otherwise loosen the axle bolts slightly and lube the bearings.
Hello, great video. Where did you get the stand for that porta bandsaw?
SWAG Off-road. Great folks over there.
Hi , is there any chance to get the plans in Metrics? I live in Spain, thanks nice video 👍
Very nice work. Thanks for your time
Thanks for watching! 🙏🏼
It would be nice if you described the bolts you use for each part. Other than the page in your plans (page 52) I don't see any references. For example when you attach the two feet to the D-plate what size bolts and washers did you use? Just think it would help a lot if you talk about each bolt you use for each hole in detail as several bolts can go in a few different places. Enjoy doing the build so far.
Check page 32. It describes the platen hardware in detail. Thanks for supporting my work.
What size taps will we need for this?
Do you guys have a recommendation for a motor/vfd (probably 1.5hp) that would work on a normal house circuit and not 220?
Yes the KBAC-27D will upscale single phase 110 to 3 phase 220. amzn.to/2SnSAMc
When doing anything structural having the seam inside or opposite of the applied force is usually procedure. You want to stress the unwelded sided the most and obviously the least on the seam
Good point.
1:10:00 "You wanna grab your knob..." My inner 12 yr old snorted all over that one. Great video, by the way. Got my kit today, and watching this a few times to get my head around it.
😂😂😂
Hey Brian, nice one! Too bad you don't ship abroad; I'd be your first happy customer from France, for sure!
We ship to France all the time now: housemade.us/products/european-only-ultimate-revolution-2x72-build-bundle
@@HouseMadeUS Awesome! I’m checking it out like pronto!!!
hey house great build but for all your hole transfers you should use ''transfer punches'' your holes will be dead on every time. thanx for your time to show us an affordable alternative
I’ll get me a set! Thanks for the suggestion. Sheets Shawn! 💪🏻😁
definitely...look for the Spellmaco brand...they are the most accurate and keep their tip longer. Nice build
Your plans comes in a soft copy?
I bought your kit about six months ago and haven’t started the assembly is the newer kit significantly different from them the one I bought or can I still be able to build the fourth generation to device thanks for your great work
The chassis is the same, the major differences are in the work rest and the D-Plate. All cross compatible with previous versions.
I bought your plan, excellent job, and I' m in the process of building my sander. About the spring, the plan say: 4" extension, could you please tell me its lenght, when it isent stratch and diameter, about of curse. Thanks again for your excellent work, really mean it!!!!!
This is the one I use: Your friend has shared a link to a Home Depot product they think you would be interested in seeing. www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-13-16-in-x-4-in-Zinc-Plated-Extension-Spring-2-Pack-15608/202045475
Thanks so much, unfortunately your link dosent work, "access denied". The plan says: "spring 4" extension", it means 4" when the spring is not stratched, right? Sorry for my silly question. Could you be so kind answer the following cause in the purchased planes I cant find these measures: Thikness of: Spring tab Tilting work rest table Tilting braket for the work rest table Thanks again for your 5 stars job, really mean it!!!
Not certain if it has been mentioned yet, but isn't it dangerous to mix vinegar and ammonia (Windex)? If so... you may want to throw an edit recommending a respirator for that cleaning process.
I'm currently working on my own build .. I noticed on the plans you have 9" receiver tubes and in the video you mentioned they are 10"
Good catch. They are 9” in the build. Thank you.
@@HouseMadeUS No problem.I have watched all your videos, by far one of the most simple and best designs I've seen on a 2x72 set up! And a nother note .. I seen your video with the prototype fine tune tracking adjustment arm, and I have an Idea I think I'm using on mine, that I was wanting to run by you to see if would work on your design
on that grinder tool, if you make it rotate the other rotation, does it send the sparks the other way?
Yes that is a great feature.