Rikon 8" Slow Speed Grinder

[Bob Bergstrom]

I got my Wood Magazine yesterday and notice Woodcraft advertisement for a Rikon 8" slow speed grinder. Looked it up noth the website, but doesn't show one listed. I take it this is replacing the previous grinder that had a number of returns? At least it will be from a reputive company.

[Dan Masshardt]

I just got a woodcraft email. They are offering it on sale for $99. Normally $139 I think.

[Jamie Donaldson]

I played with the new Rikon at Woodcraft about 2 wks. ago, and it seems to be a serviceable replacement for the older units. You will most likely need to align the wheels, just as the old models.

[charlie knighton]

that's pretty good price, bought one for $80.74 in sept 05, time flies, i wonder what Wally paid

[Jeffrey J Smith]

I got an email notice today from Jet - they've got a new slow speed 8" grinder out. Looks nice, but for turners that use CBN wheels, the cast iron wheel shrouds would be gone in a heart beat, as wood the really nice platform tool rests that are mounted to them for those of us that use a wolverine (or similar) systems. I wonder how much of the $329.00 price accounted for those two items...

Glad to see woodcraft is offerring the Rikon at the same price as their old slow speed grinder.

[Bob Bergstrom]

I was just at the Woodcraft here in the Chicago suburbs and no sale here. I believe it was listed for $129.95. They had a stack of them so maybe their getting ready to go on sale.

[Dan Masshardt]

Guys - I apologize. The email that I got from woodcraft listing the rikon grinder on sale for $99 apparently applies only to my store (Harrisburg, PA).

I thought most of the advertised sales were set up on the corporate level but apparently not.

However, I wouldn't be surprised if we see them on sale in the next couple months.

[Thom Sturgill]

Jet has just announced an 8" low speed 'woodworkers' bench grinder. Don't know what the price will be yet. Definitely aimed at turners though, going by the picture. Comes with one Norton 3x wheel (blue) and one AO wheel.

Woodcraft lists it at about $330, so not a bargain, but hopefully a heavy duty machine.

[Dan Masshardt]

Just got the woodcraft flier today. Shows the rikon on sale starting sept 28. I think this is a corporate flyer?

[Robert Henrickson]

Just got the woodcraft flier today. Shows the rikon on sale starting sept 28. I think this is a corporate flyer?

I got the same flyer, and there was a stack of the the Rikon grinders in the local store today, with the sale price.

[Rich Harkrader]

It's listed at 99 on the Woodcraft site now.
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2085963/43773/Rikon-8in-Slow-Speed-Grinder.aspx
It's only a half horse. Do you think it could handle a CBN wheel?

Rich;)

[Reed Gray]

There was one at our local Woodcraft when we had our meeting last night. It is only 1/2 hp. I am not sure how it will work with the CBN wheels. The older Woodcraft no name grinders were 3/4 hp, and they were not nearly as strong as my Baldor 3/4 hp grinder. Time will tell.

Well, after posting this, I went to their web site and sent an e-mail asking if their grinders will handle the heavier CBN wheels, and sent a link to this thread. Hope to hear back from them.

robo hippy

[David C. Roseman]

[snip]
Well, after posting this, I went to their web site and sent an e-mail asking if their grinders will handle the heavier CBN wheels, and sent a link to this thread. Hope to hear back from them.

robo hippy

Look forward to hearing what they say. But the CBN wheel I have is so well-balanced, so heavy, and requires such a light touch with the lathe tools that I can't imagine a 1/2 hp motor not being able to handle it. May take a bit longer to get up to speed.

David

[Bob Holcombe]

I am curious to hear from members about their impressions of this grinder with and without a dway CBN wheel.

[allen thunem]

hippy i have one of the older woodcraft grinders which also has a 1/2 hp motor and am running two cbn wheels. not had a problem yet

[Jerry Toschlog]

Instead of retyping, here is a review I just posted tonight at Woodcraft about this grinder, btw not yet showing on WC site Pros:
Smooth Running, Powerful, Quiet

Best Uses:
Sharpening, Polishing


Describe Yourself:
Avid Do-It-Yourselfer


Most of us know the slow speed Woodriver grinders had vibration issues and that's why WC dropped them. This is the replacement grinder for that one and I could not be
happier plus it's a Rikon. The grinder arrived with no damage to the box or product. Everything was there and the setup seemed like it should be very easy. The reason I say should is right off the bat I placed a CBN wheel and Bealls buffing system on it. When I turned the grinder on, the startup was very smooth, quiet and true with no vibration with supplied wheels and CBN wheel / Bealls buffing system. I ran it for several minutes straight and the top of the motor was barely even warm. The only thing is when I removed the original wheels there was some slight rust on the shafts. NO BIG DEAL, I never would have seen this if I was not installing the CBN wheel / Bealls buffing system. I am very happy with the grinder, especially for the price. I talked to WC CS some months back and she told me about the issues that they had with the Woodriver ones and that they refused the entire last shipment. I was glad she told me this as that let me know they must care about QC. That's also the reason I jumped on this one as soon as they were available. I figured with the issues they had before, they would really scrutinize these. You cannot beat the sale price of $99.00...

.

[Jim Vieira]

I went into the woodcraft store near gillette stadium today planning on buying a couple of wheels. The wheels were 25 each and the entire grinder with 2 wheels was only 99.00 It was a no brainer, I bought the grinder but I had to work tonight so I have to wait till tomorrow to try it out.

[Rich Harkrader]

I finally got a chance to try this grinder out last weekend. I noticed the same thing as Jerry in that there was rust on the arbor shaft. A little naval jelly took care of it quickly enough. The grinder was very well packaged and the assembly instructions were easy to follow. I ran it with the 2 factory wheels and it ran smooth and true. Then I added a Raptor CBN wheel in place of the 120 grit wheel. Again it ran smooth and true. It had no problems spinning the Raptor CBN up to speed within 5 secs. A D-Way should be heavier, since it's a bit wider, but I think this grinder could handle one pretty easily. One thing is that I tried to mount my Robo Rest with this grinder and the Raptor CBN wheel and am unable to set an angle lower than 40 degrees, due to the platform on the Robo Rest hitting the motor housing. I might use a Dremel to cut that little bit of the Robo Rest off, which I don't think would affect it much. Overall, this is a solid grinder and I'm glad I bought it.

Rich;)

[Reed Gray]

Rich,
Sounds like I have to visit the local Woodcraft and check that out. Some of the grinders do have shorter arbor shafts on them, and with the narrower wheel, that could make it closer to the motor housing.
robo hippy

[Rich Harkrader]

Here's a pic of what I'm talking about, Reed. I think if I cut a notch out of that part, it should clear the housing without affecting the platform's functionality.
276261

[Reed Gray]

Thanks Rich. The newer ones that fit the wolverine grinding set up have that part of the wing cut off. I trim them down with a jig saw, but you need a block of wood between the two wings because if you are cutting through only one wing, it can start to vibrate. Do trim the burr off, and I should trim all the rest off. Didn't see that one coming.

robo hippy