$50 bench grinder & stand rework II

Update Few months later.
Generally this grinder sets at recess on left. Easy to lift and set outside for use but sort of in the walkway path. Decided to utilize a better space where it could live, free up floor space.
Moved to seperate page. Cahange angle of legs to narrow stand 2", weld pads to end of legs to add casters and add handle

See Original Grinder stand and light rework

In the back corner off shop is small space that would be perfect for parking the small grinder. Lower cabinet rarely get into. The upper a bit more but if I added casters to stand could simply roll out. Plus since at back off shop wouldn't have to carry to door, easily rolled out for access to cabinet or use.

Perfect until I measured. Stand is about 2" wider than space...

Kind of gave up, I cut once, I could recut again but really dont want to, until I moved back to where it was. Determined to get this out of walkway. Realized If I could change the angle of legs side to side to more vertical it would fit. Keep the same front to back spread for stability. Would involve a lot of trimming changing angle of bolted pieces, rebend the top etc... or so I thought.

When I unbolted the front spreader the front legs not secured easily flexed. By hand I could squeeze together a good inch.

Grabbed a ratchet strap and with little effort squeezed together 2". Cool Marked and drilled spreader for narrower width. Unbolted rear spreader and repeated. Cut off 2" from both spreaders. Bolted shortened spreaders back to legs. To eaasy. Sat grinder in its new home-stoked.

Now to add casters. Using stem mount 2" casters.

Removing the plastic feet welding on 2x2x3/16" flat bar to end of legs. Drilled holes offset a bit for caster stems.

Set up to weld. Well its welded but not pretty. Spit and pop. Either I didn't clean the paint enough or the metal has some weird 'ingredients'.

Waiting on casters. I may end up having to weld spreaders or other wise brace between ends of legs some how. The legs are very thin folded sheet metal and may not tolerate casters or twist/flex too much. We'll find out.

Sat welder in its new home.

Caster arrived and installed, 2 double lock in front, swivel only in rear without lock. Work well

Rolling into alcove was fine, however trying to roll back out the rear casters swivel matching direction of travel and stand gets stuck.
Short of replacing with fixed wheels just adding small piece of flat bar to keep from rotating.

Good enough, enough to keep from swiveling. Welded to legs with a small tack to wheel. If needed flat bar could be cut to return to swiveling.

Cleaned up and painted. Also pulled half of the 40 carriage bolts, wire wheel the rusted heads and painted. Reinstalled then removed the remainder of bolts to clean and paint.

Nice, freed up floor space, out of the way, easily taken out. Rolls fine. The legs do flex & twist a bit but unless a wheel decides not to turn not an issue. Probably make a frame when material becomes available.

Last is adding a handle to stand.

Flop over handle from sewing machine. Non folding utility handle would be better though this will rest out of the way. Simple drill and bolt on except want to try to make stops so handle will only rotate upward 90°. Otherwise might use my hand as a stop.

Used material originally cut off of spreaders. Drilled hole in corner and cut leg off to hole. Bent over remaining length, this will act as stop.

Works, now to make another...

Easier said--managed to get second one made, closely similar:). Now that these are made I see could have cut 2 pieces of angle. Bolt handle to stand then place angle against open handle and drill thru angle into stand. Would have been easier than holding 5 separate pieces trying to mark holes.

Handel installed. Thought it might vibrate but doesnt.

Cool, steering it one hand all over the shop..easily amused.

And parked.

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