Photo Index - Prairie Tool Co. - G7 Wet Grindstone

Machinery Photo Index

Manufactured/Badged by:
Prairie Tool Co.
Prairie du Chien, WI

Machine Specifications
Machine Class:	Wood Working Machinery
Machine Type:	Grinder, Bench
Machine Size:	10
Submitted By:	Ronald Reynolds

Machine Specifications
Description/Model:	G7 Wet Grindstone
Date of Manufacturer:	ca. 1975
Serial Number:
Last Updated	7/5/2004 12:00:00 AM

Comments:

I bought this machine many years ago so I could maintain my edge tools without losing their temper. I fitted it with a 1/3 Hp. Westinghouse motor I salvaged from an old Lomart swimming pool pump/filter: it's more than adequate. Notice that a small pulley on the motor connects to a large pulley on the rear countershaft. On the opposite side of the countershaft a second small pulley drives a large pulley on the grindstone shaft at a speed of around 100 rpm. Rotation is clockwise (viewed from the right side of machine), so water is thrown rearward away from the operator. In use enough water is added to the unit so that the working edge of the stone is submerged about 1" and if there is plenty of sharpening to do you have to replenish it from time-to-time. When finished, remaining water is drained. It originally was fitted with a drain plug but I added a stopcock so I don't need to go find a wrench every time I end a sharpening session. If you don't drain the water the natural Ohio sandstone softens and will wear unevenly. The grind is slightly coarse so I follow up with a Makita horizontally rotating waterstone and then hone on an oilstone followed by stropping on a felt wheel. This provides a nice sharp tool with no risk of losing its temper or mine. The bearings are a simple sleeve with oil lubrication. I have the parts sheet if anyone should ever need a copy. Notice that the electricals have some risk of getting wet. The operator must be careful and not forget that electricity and water are potentially very dangerous.

Photo 1:

Comments: View showing cpuntershaft driving stone.
Source: Ron Reynolds

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Photo 2:

Comments: Rightside view showing motor driving countershaft.
Source: Ron Reynolds

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Photo 3:

Comments: Detail of stopcok for draining.
Source: Ron Reynolds

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