Anyone with a surface grinder near Leeds?

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

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.

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.

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

People around here have no lack of it !

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

Mike

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

Tony

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!

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

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

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

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.

Jones & Shipman 1400 grinder (which I have) has approximately 11" of height capacity and 8x24" 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

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

**LINK**

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

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