Old fashined pedal grinder

Mahiro Shukosa · Post by **Mahiro Shukosa** » Sat Mar 24, 2001 5:31 pm

Greets all. I have an old pedal-powered stone grinder, and was wondering if it would be useful as a replacement for my electric model, which is on the fritz. It is about 32" diameter, of light colored stone. It has a water can on the top. Does anyone have experience with one of these? What could I realistically do with it? Grind edged weapons? Or clean up armour? Thanks...

M.S.

Galileo · Post by **Galileo** » Sat Mar 24, 2001 9:40 pm

Hmm... I picture a guy in the Ozarks with a long beard, sharpening an old axe....

Or an old Tom and Jerry cartoon...

G--

[This message has been edited by Galileo (edited 03-24-2001).]

Clay · Post by **Clay** » Sat Mar 24, 2001 10:41 pm

We've got one of those things too. My dad salvaged it and got it back in working order. We've only used it once for anything and that was to sharpen an axe. I don't know that you can deburr plate with it, but it works killer for a weapon sharpener.

Ironwood · Post by **Ironwood** » Sun Mar 25, 2001 3:00 pm

I grew up on a farm without electicity. We used one of those to sharpen everything. Be shure to keep water in the can to drip on the tool so as to not remove the temper. I have spent a lot of time sharpening the hay mower on ours.
John

Patrick · Post by **Patrick** » Mon Mar 26, 2001 1:14 am

Actually, there's nothing much you can do with it. In fact, these things are so useless that an organization has been started just to dispose of such contraptions. I have a contact in this organization. Put the grinder in a big crate and ship it to me. Safe, environment-friendly disposal is guaranteed and it will only cost you to freight charge to ship it to Alaska. And I do this as a service to others. If you have an anvil, I can get rid of that for you, too.

Seriously, I would love one of those old grinders. Just for fun. I have a modern belt grinder, but those old stone wheels are just plain neato. Enjoy it!

-Patrick

Lochlainn · Post by **Lochlainn** » Mon Mar 26, 2001 9:27 am

Any and all old, handpowered devices have a large market among smiths and collectors.

In particular anvils (duh), post vices, wall mount hand drills, and smith's tools (tongs, hardies, etc.) will be snatched up rapidly should you wish to sell them.

I was given a treadle sewing machine this weekend; the treadle turns smoothly and the machine itself is stiff but not frozen. It's at least 50 years old, probably closer to 80. Gonna use it to sew leather, the gears in it shouldn't have any problem at all.

------------------
Lochlainn
I'm a Liberal and I'm OK!
*Insert gratuitous inflammatory remark here*