What Do I Have Here? (vintage Covel Sg)

Finally the consumables. All ring clearly! Well, the very thick and very coarse ones don't really ring of course, but I think I hear just enough to be confident about using them.

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I've never seen a table that rotates like that to set the cutting angle. Very cool.

Nice score.
 
The table doesn't rotate, but the spindle/head does. I assume that's what you meant? I hadn't noticed it before (like years ago when I watched him use it), but when I went to pick it up it was about 60 degrees off of parallel with the table's transverse movement (the way most surface grinders normally operate). Definitely caught my attention now that I actually know a little bit about these machines.

But I have no idea why it does that. I keep thinking about it trying to get my head around it. It doesn't make sense to me. I don't see how that would be useful. Can you help me visualize how to benefit from that function? I assume that since it's such a rare feature it isn't tremendously useful, but they had to have had something in mind when they built it this way, because it obviously required extra casting and machining.

Times like this really make me wish I was independently wealthy and didn't have to work so I could just work on projects like this. Get it all cleaned up and then really learn how to use it. But if I were independently wealthy I would have a bigger shop all set up with a full complement of machinery and no need to work on this...
 
I just realized that it is not a surface grinder (but can be used as one), it's a tool & cutter grinder.

Look at the chuck mounting, it can swivel about 10 degrees or so off of center, either way, and the head also rotates.
 
I wasn't even familiar with that kind of grinder. I had to look it up. Very cool. :)
 
Seriously, the more I look into this kind of grinder the more it's making sense and the more pleased I am with this score.

Yeah, the chuck mount definitely swivels. And the head rotates. And there are those t-slot mounts on the side of the head.

I checked my copy of Precision Machining Technology and there is only one paragraph on the subject of tool and cutter grinders, and the example they show is nothing like this one. And what I'm seeing on youtube are like the ones in the book. This one is way more useful since it's also a surface grinder. But it's proving difficult to find information about this type. Anything you can share or direct me to would be appreciated.

I've been wanting to get a Drill Doctor for a while because I've never been very consistent in sharpening my drill bits (one in three ends up with the center point off center). Now I'm thinking I won't need one anymore. :-D
 
Aha! Jim, you're the best. I searched and searched for Covel Model 6 or Type 6 and found nothing until I added "tool and cutter". Now I'm getting somewhere!

This thread on practical machinist is about this machine, and the first post has a link to a PDF of the original sales brochure. I've learned more from that than all of my other searching. :)

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/v...ollowed-me-home-lovely-little-grinder-280829/
 
I can't find any real instructions on T&C grinder operations, various YouTube videos might be a good start. It's a very flexible machine and can do a lot of stuff if you have the right accessories. I'm sure some of the other members would be better qualified to talk about it. I have never used a T&C grinder even though I have one. Setting mine up is a project for later this year.
 
Resurrecting this old thread (of mine) to add a question. I just came across another box of grinding wheels and such that fit this machine (well, a couple more, the cone type for tool sharpening), which I had forgotten that I received months before I got the grinder. In it there was also a drill chuck that fits the spindle perfectly, and the spanner wrench that was with the grinder fits the drill chuck precisely. So it seems safe to assume they belong together. But I can't think of when/why one would use a T&C grinder for drilling, particularly because the chuck is limited to 1/4" capacity. I wish I had thought to take a picture. My mistake. Regardless, any insight here? When would you use a 1/4" drill chuck on any machine of this size?? I figure it may come in handy if I ever need to chuck tiny parts, as I can put this chuck in my lathe chuck. But otherwise...?
 
Perhaps it's for holding small 1/8" to 1/2" wheels.
These could grind small slots, internal and external, and are much cheaper to form into custom shapes than full sized wheels.
Many lathe grinders come with them though a surface grinder would need a rotary device to grind round features.
As you stated, it can also hold small parts.

See what the spindle height is at its lowest safe setting to get an idea how tall a feature or surface must be to reach it with a small wheel.
Also, see if the spindle speed can be changed and what is the highest rotation speed.
Jim
 
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