View Full Version : Baldor 12 Grinder Usable for lathe tool sharpening?
Tom Bain
12-22-2020, 8:42 PM
Soooo, I may have an opportunity to pick up a pretty nice used Baldor grinder for a very very nice price. Its a model 1215W which comes with 12 wheels, 2HP motor that runs at 1800 rpm. I realize this machine is WAY overkill for sharpening tools for turning, but curious if I could fit it with smaller and more appropriate wheels for that purpose?
Richard Coers
12-22-2020, 8:54 PM
What's the shaft size? I'm guessing that will limit what kind of wheels you can get. I bet they are at least 1"
Tom Bain
12-22-2020, 8:58 PM
Yeah, I’m realizing the arbor may be the deal killer. This thing has a 1.25” arbor and doubt that CBN wheels are made to fit that.
John K Jordan
12-22-2020, 9:42 PM
Yeah, Im realizing the arbor may be the deal killer. This thing has a 1.25 arbor and doubt that CBN wheels are made to fit that.
You might check with Ken at Woodturner's Wonders. I think he told me once he could have CBN wheels special-made to customer's specs. (Might not be cheap!)
I personally would love a grinder like that for my little welding shop but not sure about one for sharpening lathe tools. For one thing, it might take up a lot of room, would need to be mounted on a stand instead of a typical workbench for the optimum operating height. Wheels in general might not be cheap; probably needs 220v power.
An inexpensive Rikon 1/2 or 1 hp bench grinder might be more practical.
JKJ
Eugene Dixon
12-23-2020, 9:57 AM
FWIW, I have a 12" Jet grinder with 10" wheels. I have a Robo Hippy tool rest on one side. I don't usually sharpen lathe tools on it unless I'm changing the profile, i.e. rarely.
Reed Gray
12-23-2020, 12:32 PM
I have 2 of the Baldor 3/4 hp grinders for 8 inch wheels, and that works great, though it takes some engineering if you want to get the Wolverine set up under the wheel guards. I did have to put my platform, I use only the free standing one, up to height. Some thing like 1 1/2 inches. Your grinder would work, but I would kind of think it would be a waste of that grinder's capabilities. My Baldor grinders have 3/4 inch shafts. I am pretty sure D Way can drill theirs out. My D Way wheels came with an 1 inch arbor and inserts. It looks like it could be safely drilled out.
robo hippy
Alex Zeller
12-26-2020, 1:54 PM
All of the big grinders like that I've come across are 3 phase. Not a deal breaker but other than my Tormek clone my grinders live in dusty places. I don't know if I would want a VFD in such areas. Still, if cheap enough and easy to pick up (not always the case now with COVID) I would still get it. I'm betting that Baldor will last longer than you.
John K Jordan
12-26-2020, 2:15 PM
...e my grinders live in dusty places. I don't know if I would want a VFD in such areas. ...
A VFD is easy to filter by building an enclosure with filters and forced-air cooling if necessary.
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