Anyone with a surface grinder near Leeds?

[Jak2gParticipant @jak2g]

Hi all

I'm a hobby machinist and often have small stainless components that require surface grinding. I can't afford / house a surface grinder, and am looking for someone near me that has one that would be willing to do a small job here and there for a nominal fee (or some beer!). If anyone has / knows someone who could help, preferably near Leeds, I would be very grateful to hear.

Thank you!

Jak

[Jak2gParticipant @jak2g]

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

I'm sure there must be a few. I am from Leeds & know a few guys that make Traction/Steam engines. Sure they have them. Would not have the cheek to ask them though. Hope someone answers your call. + Hi from Leeds.

[Mark RandParticipant @markrand96270]

Note that 400 series stainless will receive a far more welcoming response than 300 series (which can't be held on a magnetic chuck).

I probably can't help, because I'm in Rugby, Warwickshire and my surface grinder is due for a rebuild this year.

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

Never be afraid to ask, you will get nowhere without a bit of cheek !!!

People around here have no lack of it !

[Mike PooleParticipant @mikepoole82104]

Hand lapping can often be used rather than a surface grinder but it is much easier if you can access a grinder.

Mike

[Tony Pratt 1Participant @tonypratt1]

I have used double sided tape many times to surface grind stainless but success can depend on component shape.

Tony

[Jak2gParticipant @jak2g]

Posted by Mike Poole on 06/01/2020 12:56:00:

Hand lapping can often be used rather than a surface grinder but it is much easier if you can access a grinder.

Mike

Mike, this is what I currently do – it's not so much getting it flat that is the issue, but parallel. Is there a method to hand lap (using a reference surface, perhaps) that would assist in getting things parallel? I seem to remember seeing something somewhere, but cannot recall the technique..

Cheers!

P.s. I hope my initial request didn't seem 'cheeky', I'm happy to pay for someone's time or be pointed to a commercial provider that does this kind of thing. I did not intend on taking advantage of someone's better equipt shop!

[Mark RandParticipant @markrand96270]

Out of curiosity, can you show photos/sizes of the parts?

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

Most car engine refurb places have them. Lockside engineering in Castleford do head skimming so guess they have one.

[HacksawParticipant @hacksaw]

Quick question from the side pls… what machine could re face my anvil . Would a surface grinder throat accommodate 18" or so ? What machine is used to deck a car engine block ? The anvil has a hardened face , but not particularly hard.. 2 1/2 cwt anvil   maybe  1 /8" hollow in the middle of the face…

Edited By Hacksaw on 06/01/2020 22:30:24

[SteviegtrParticipant @steviegtr]

Don't think it's a problem doing that but a bit heavy to be lifting onto a machine table. My back has just gone thinking about it.

[Mark RandParticipant @markrand96270]

Jones & Shipman 1400 grinder (which I have) has approximately 11" of height capacity and 8×24" of area capacity.

My Beaver milling machine can cope with 20" height and 28"x11" area.

The shed's crane can do more than a ton.

 

If you're in reach of Rugby Warwickshire we could make some swarf. Probably blue, especially if you'd hard-face welded the anvil first!

Edited By Mark Rand on 07/01/2020 01:42:11

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Posted by Hacksaw on 06/01/2020 22:27:06:

Quick question from the side pls… what machine could re face my anvil . Would a surface grinder throat accommodate 18" or so ? What machine is used to deck a car engine block ? The anvil has a hardened face , but not particularly hard.. 2 1/2 cwt anvil maybe 1 /8" hollow in the middle of the face…

Edited By Hacksaw on 06/01/2020 22:30:24

A large shaper? This guy managed it. I don’t like his holding down method, mind!

**LINK**

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

A machine shop that recons heavy diesel engines might have a Blanchard grinder big enough for an anvil.

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

We know small objects can be surfaced by moving them around in figure of eight pattern on wet and dry carborundum paper stuck to a flat surface.

Maybe you could use the same idea with your anvil by turning it upside down on a concrete road surface and then with a rope around its waist, tow it for few miles

Ian P

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