BUy advice on Bench Grinder

[lloyd anderson]

I'm researching brands, size, RPM and HP for a new/used bench grinder. It will be for "general" type use. I think a minimum of 8" is where I'll start on wheel size but I don't know what hp should be minimum.

I've seen some reviews on the Jets, Deltas, Northern Tool and folks seem to have problems with wheel wobble. So I'm thinking of stepping up to Balder (they're pretty expensive). That's where the rpm question starts. They offer both 1750 and 3400+ models. I didn't see one in my price range with variable speed but I've seen othe brands that do.

Any other quality brands? Grizzly, etc?

So that's my question...looking for advice and others mileage.

P.S. There is a used Balder on the local CL but it's only a 1/3hp. Is that enough for general use?

Thanks!

[Bill ThompsonNM]

I've used a 1/3 hp 6 inch baldor grinder for turning for years. Quite acceptable unless you're making tools from scratch.

[Bill Geibe]

I bought an 8" Wilton (generic Asian import, I believe) about five years ago and it had serious vibration from wheel wobble. I replaced the wheel (I had a wire wheel on the other side) and all was good. Some grinders may be okay but come equipped with cheap, junk grinding wheels.

For general use, 3450 RPM is fine. If you plan to do a lot of sharpening (chisels, lathe tools) go with the low speed or variable, especially with an 8". Otherwise you'll be overheating the steel - but you probably knew that.

Baldor makes great stuff but ain't cheap. When I taught HS shop we had a 6" Baldor with a wire wheel on one side and a grinding wheel on the other. The kids ran the heck out of that thing (small engine shops clean a lot of valves, piston heads, etc.) and that thing was still running strong after 20+ years.

Bill

[Jim Foster]

I bought a Baldor 8" many years ago, still brings a smile to my face every time I turn it on. It's smooth and quiet. Biggest problem with it is its so quiet its easy to accidentally leave it on. The stock tool rest is pretty minimal though.

[Ellen Benkin]

If you can get a Baldor at a good price, go for it. Otherwise, I have the cheapo model from Woodcraft and it works just fine for general sharpening/grinding. Make sure you get the replacement wheels (white?), though. The grinding wheels that come with the Woodcraft grinder are pretty awful.

[Ronald Blue]

Here is a link for Baldor grinders from a dealer. Lists all models and prices. http://www.globalindustrial.com/g/tools/Grinders-Sanders/Grindes-Bench/Baldor-Industrial-Grinders
Whatever you decide on get quality wheels and I don't think you can do better then Norton in my personal experience.

[Dave Lehnert]

I guess it all depends what you want to use it on. I am a fan of just the cheap grinders. I have used big powerful grinders and I am more afraid of them than my table saw. When I was in high school shop class I was looking right at a guy using a big Balder type with a buffing wheel. He was buffing a shifter plate. The buffer grabbed it right out of his hands and shot it right back at him, though his face shield and put a deep gash right across his face. Blood was everywhere.

Wheel wobble is most often the cheap, out of balance, wheels put on low end grinders. Nothing to do with the grinder itself.

I have used a Delta grinder for years. Think I gave $35 for it at a local lumber yard.

I see Grizzly now offers Balder grinders.

[Bob Vaughan]

Baldlor offers as good of a small off-the-shelf grinder as can be had these days, but even then, I find there's a lot of room for improvement/innovation. Cheap is the mantra of today's bench grinder buyer, so Baldor offers no-frills grinders ready to be made into something the woodworker can use. The extra steps are a short term pain for a long term gain.As purchased off Ebayhttp://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r118/rmvaughan/Grinder/Toolrestholder1a.jpgAs modified for a woodturner's grinding setup.http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r118/rmvaughan/Grinder/Toolrestholder6.jpgA little 6" cheapie tricked out with a cut off wheel.http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r118/rmvaughan/Grinder/Baldor612x11.jpgA Deluxe 6" Baldor with cast iron ends, again, tricked out.http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r118/rmvaughan/Grinder/Baldor612x6.jpgWith a little imagination, a chuck can be stuck on the end. This is a Pennys-badged 6" Baldorhttp://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r118/rmvaughan/Grinder/Baldor612x2.jpgA modification to a Baldor 8" grinder that makes life easier.http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r118/rmvaughan/Grinder/Grinder5.1.jpg

[Bill Geibe]

I thought of something relating to your original post. You asked if 1/3 HP, 6" Baldor would be powerful enough. 1/3 HP probably would be enough grunt on a 6" but on an 8" grinder it might under-powered. I remember that was a selling point on the Wilton I bought - it was an 8" with a 1 HP, 7.7 amp motor. Some 8" grinders have as small as 2 amp motors and you can bet they'll be slowing down if you use them for anything beyond the lightest grinding jobs. I'd think you would want at least 3/4 HP for an 8".

Bill

[HANK METZ]

I still have a 6" mutt brand, 1/3 h.p. I've really pushed the envelope with. I added a Veritas tool rest, which I would strongly recommend since the rests that come with most grinders are worthless. I also added a shop-made 6" sanding disk which is my daily goto tool for shaping, rounding, squaring, etc. My final iteration was powering up a 4" jointer- planer tool which plugged in via dovetail ways and connected with a simple power transfer shaft. Worked pretty good actually but I needed to refine the drive adapter some more but alas, bought a 6" Delta floor model for $30 off Craigslist so donated the 4" to a thrift store.

227420 227421

- Beachside Hank

[lloyd anderson]

Hi Hank

I've followed some of your posts over at Dewalt Delphi and watched your YouTube shutter video. It's my attempt at restoring my GP RAS that has me looking for a bench grinder. Getting tired of using a wire brush manually. Help! I'm getting sucked in.

Presently use a Workmate 3000 for sharpening, but find it's a PITA on consumables. Hoping to learn to use the grind wheel as a replacement. Was planning on using a wire wheel to help with paint removal on some of the smaller RAS parts, but saw a post tonight on Delphi from Kentroo that mentioned using wire wheels in a drill press....Duh...why didn't I think of that. Will still buy a bench grinder...just because.

Been looking at a 7", two speed Baldor, Only downside is it's a 1/3hp. Also looked at an 8", 1hp Dayton that's variable speed. I'm a believer in buy once, cry once.

Lloyd

[Van Huskey]

Since this had turned into a lot of general grinder info, I have a neighbor that is a metal worker and brought one of his grinders home. he had just recently gotten one of the 10" 1.5 HP Grizzly grinders, (about 1/2 what a similar Baldor runs) I must say I was highly impressed, more grinder than I will ever need, I think he said it weighed over 130#. They also make an 8" as well @ 1HP

[HANK METZ]

Hi Lloyd,

Yup, Kenteroo's drill press idea is a gem; even strapping down a corded drill with a cheap wire wheel beats hand rubbing with a wire brush. I just spotted this setup on Craigslist today, I love the price and one can up the motor h.p. if needed: Grinder Arbor $25 (http://orlando.craigslist.org/tls/2907716341.html)

- Beachside Hank