02-19-2018, 01:42 PM
I finally found the easiest way for me to post good pictures, so at last, here we go!
My Coote was my first 2x72. It comes with a small 4" square base, for mounting to something. With so little bearing surface, it needs to be mounted to steel (probably like a Kally). I didn't have much metal fab equipment at the time. I only needed a drill press, a low speed 12" carbide tooth metal chop saw, and a very old stick welder.
Here it is in place in my shop. Notice that the base is just a piece of heavy C-channel, 22" long x 12" wide. The grinder is well balanced to this minimalist, small footprint base. I can push against the platen with all my might. The base will slide into contact with the wall, but from then on it wight as well be mounted to the concrete.
![[Image: IaxHlJ1.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/IaxHlJ1.jpg)
Notice there is very little obstruction designed into the front of the base. My left foot actually goes under the base, so I can snuggle right up to the platen. This is Very important (grinders Never tip forward).
Here's the whole she-bang. The 4" heavy wall square tubing upright is welded to a 12" square piece of 3/4" plate, which is bolted to the base. I didn't have to worry about warping the base channel with heavy welds. It's absolutely rock steady, but easy to slide forwards and back. It's very stable side to side, and has never even hinted for more stability.
![[Image: qUfumR3.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/qUfumR3.jpg)
The relationship of the size of the pulley wheels was carefully planned for a high speed 3 phase motor and VFD. Speed control is just right, with plenty of low speed torque.
The Coote is bolted to a 4" wide, 8" long piece of 1/2" plate, which was (hastily) welded to the top of the 4" square upright. A closeup of the base design, reveals it's simplicity, but it's well balanced, with a low center of mass.
![[Image: c4bUFNP.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/c4bUFNP.jpg)
The base was designed to be stable with the grinder pivoted backwards, which allows working on the 10" drive/ contact wheel. Many of my first blades were hollow ground. I had a support bolted to the odd piece of steel sticking out beside the contact wheel. Note too that the heavy duty table pivots very easily and remains square to the belt on a Coote.
![[Image: SY9WKAa.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/SY9WKAa.jpg)
Finally, here is what makes this a true knife machine. The addition of small wheel capability is something I simply cannot do without.
![[Image: axTPGMn.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/axTPGMn.jpg)
So there you have it. The Coote is precisely engineered and self contained, providing more specialized knife grinding capability and bang for the buck than anything I've ever seen.
The combination of a 3 hp motor with an industrial Allen-Bradley VFD makes this a worthy machine in anyone's shop. When I need to vaporize a bunch of steel, this machine does so with aplomb.
If I may humbly offer, it's certainly not necessary nor desirable to monkey around with anything that isn't designed to be as simple and ridgedly stable as you'll ever need.
My Coote was my first 2x72. It comes with a small 4" square base, for mounting to something. With so little bearing surface, it needs to be mounted to steel (probably like a Kally). I didn't have much metal fab equipment at the time. I only needed a drill press, a low speed 12" carbide tooth metal chop saw, and a very old stick welder.
Here it is in place in my shop. Notice that the base is just a piece of heavy C-channel, 22" long x 12" wide. The grinder is well balanced to this minimalist, small footprint base. I can push against the platen with all my might. The base will slide into contact with the wall, but from then on it wight as well be mounted to the concrete.
Notice there is very little obstruction designed into the front of the base. My left foot actually goes under the base, so I can snuggle right up to the platen. This is Very important (grinders Never tip forward).
Here's the whole she-bang. The 4" heavy wall square tubing upright is welded to a 12" square piece of 3/4" plate, which is bolted to the base. I didn't have to worry about warping the base channel with heavy welds. It's absolutely rock steady, but easy to slide forwards and back. It's very stable side to side, and has never even hinted for more stability.
The relationship of the size of the pulley wheels was carefully planned for a high speed 3 phase motor and VFD. Speed control is just right, with plenty of low speed torque.
The Coote is bolted to a 4" wide, 8" long piece of 1/2" plate, which was (hastily) welded to the top of the 4" square upright. A closeup of the base design, reveals it's simplicity, but it's well balanced, with a low center of mass.
The base was designed to be stable with the grinder pivoted backwards, which allows working on the 10" drive/ contact wheel. Many of my first blades were hollow ground. I had a support bolted to the odd piece of steel sticking out beside the contact wheel. Note too that the heavy duty table pivots very easily and remains square to the belt on a Coote.
Finally, here is what makes this a true knife machine. The addition of small wheel capability is something I simply cannot do without.
So there you have it. The Coote is precisely engineered and self contained, providing more specialized knife grinding capability and bang for the buck than anything I've ever seen.
The combination of a 3 hp motor with an industrial Allen-Bradley VFD makes this a worthy machine in anyone's shop. When I need to vaporize a bunch of steel, this machine does so with aplomb.
If I may humbly offer, it's certainly not necessary nor desirable to monkey around with anything that isn't designed to be as simple and ridgedly stable as you'll ever need.