My bench grinder started smoking

[Randy Klein]

I was using my Delta Shopmaster Bench Grinder that I got from Lowes awhile back. The sticker started peeling off and then I noticed that it was smoking. Of course I had to verify that it was very hot by touching it, and yes, it was.

So I'm pretty sure that grinder is done, but it can't be more than a year old, maybe 1-1/2 years.

Is this a junk grinder? Can it be fixed? If not, what should I replace it with?

[Paul Girouard]

I was using my Delta Shopmaster Bench Grinder that I got from Lowes awhile back. The sticker started peeling off and then I noticed that it was smoking. Of course I had to verify that it was very hot by touching it, and yes, it was.

So I'm pretty sure that grinder is done, but it can't be more than a year old, maybe 1-1/2 years.

Is this a junk grinder? Can it be fixed? If not, what should I replace it with?




Generally when you "let the smoke out" they are done for.

Have you ever blown it out with compressed air? Could it just be full of shop dust?

And yes generally when a tool is smoking it is HOT :D How'd that feel? :D

[David Freed]

If it was smoking and hot enough to burn the stickers off the case, I would say it is toast. That kind of heat would damage all of the internal wiring. If the grindstones are good, I would take them off and pitch the rest.

[David DeCristoforo]

Ahh yes... once you let the smoke out it's pretty much all over. There was a hysterically funny thread on this a while back. I don't have time to search it out right now but if you want to try and find it, the laughter might soothe the frustration of having your grinder fritz....

[Dick Strauss]

Your motor is most likely toast...

Does the motor turn freely by hand? If not, the bearings may be shot and causing lots of localized heat at the bearings. If the whole motor housing is hot than you're out of luck...

Keep the wheels and don't bother trying to fix the grinder. Some of the turners have had good luck with the Woodcraft 8" slow speed (1750 rpm) grinders. The turners like these grinders because they come with friable aluminum oxide wheels that grind cooler than other wheel types.

Good luck,
Dick

[Pete Bradley]

Does it still run?

Bearings shouldn't have gone this fast and I doubt they could generate enough heat to cook the stickers off. If the motor is a cap start or split phase, it could be the centrifugal switch jammed on, leaving the start winding permanently energized. Most likely the windings are cooked, but you might get lucky.

Delta seems to be selling really bad imports lately. This might be a good reminder that "cheap" machines are no bargain if you have to buy 3 of them in the same time that a quality one would have lasted.

Pete

[Randy Klein]

This might be a good reminder that "cheap" machines are no bargain if you have to buy 3 of them in the same time that a quality one would have lasted.

Pete

so what is a quality one?

[John Schreiber]

Nobody sees the obvious here.

The grinder should be grounded and forced to learn about lung cancer risks. If he thinks it's making him look cool to smoke, he's got another thing coming. :D:D:D

[Pete Bradley]

so what is a quality one?

I'd stay out of the Lowes tool crib for starters. I use a Belt/disk machine for grinding, but I understand Baldor still sells good grinders. You might give Plaza Machinery in VT a call as some of the folks over at OWWM have gotten grinders there. I've bought used parts from them w/no problems.

Perhaps there's an opportunity to create some rules of thumb here. To wit:

:D Hints that a machine may be low quality:



The machine is marked "Professional Grade"
It's marked down from $74.99 to $49.99 at Lowes
The returns desk has set up a special area for that model and there are 6 busted ones in it already (saw this at HD once, and they were still selling the machine in question!)


I'm sure other creekers can add to that...

Pete

[Larry Komroff]

I looked at the delta site. and it appears you might still be under warranty

EXHIBIT 5

Warranty for Delta Products (Other than Equipment and “X5” Models)

DELTA
Two Year Limited New Product Warranty
Delta will repair or replace, at its expense and at its option, any new Delta machine, machine
part, or machine accessory which in normal use has proven to be defective in workmanship or
material, provided that the customer returns the product prepaid to a Delta factory service
center or authorized service station with proof of purchase of the product within two years and
provides Delta with reasonable opportunity to verify the alleged defect by inspection
from http://www.deltaportercable.com/ServiceAndSupport/Warranties.aspx

[Bruce Shiverdecker]

Didn't anyone ever tell you, " Don't let the smoke out! Now you have to go to a motor shop and get a 'BAG OF SMOKE'!":D:D:D

Sorry, I know you're upset, but maybe it gave you a chuckle. It is one of the many things told to New Guys in the service an industry.

Bruce

[Tom Esh]

so what is a quality one?

Probably overkill for most of us WW'ers, but the HD Grizzlys sure look nice...
http://www.grizzly.com/products/8-1-HP-Heavy-Duty-Bench-Grinder/G0596

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

:D Hints that a machine may be low quality:



The machine is marked "Professional Grade"




That's my favorite.
Professionals don't use tools. At least not in their professions they don't.

[Glenn Howard]

I've been more than pleased with the 8-inch, 2-speed grinder from Woodcraft. It's basically the same grinder as their 8-inch slow speed grinder, with a second, higher speed added...best of both worlds.

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=4606

[Rick Fisher]

Well, he asked what was a good one.

http://oemproamtools.com/baldorgrinders.htm

I would ask, how much did you use that grinder. Most grinders sit and get used from time to time. If you used it enough to actually wear it out, in 1.5 years.. You might think of a higher end machine..

[Randy Klein]

I would ask, how much did you use that grinder. Most grinders sit and get used from time to time. If you used it enough to actually wear it out, in 1.5 years.. You might think of a higher end machine..

I don't think I've used it that much. I'm just a weekend woodworker at best. I dabble in turning pens and such, so I use it to sharpen turning tools. Lately, I've been using it with a wire wheel for cleaning up tools.

I'll have to check into the warranty and see if I'm still in the period.

[Randy Klein]

Here's a link (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=82693-17757-GR450&lpage=none) to the grinder I have (had).

http://images.lowes.com/product/converted/069554/069554004513md.jpg

[Pete Bradley]

Were you by any chance running it on a long/light gauge extension cord? That could cause overheating.

Pete

[Randy Klein]

Were you by any chance running it on a long/light gauge extension cord? That could cause overheating.

Pete

25ft 12 gauge. That should be plenty shouldn't it?

[Greg Narozniak]

I don't think I've used it that much. I'm just a weekend woodworker at best. I dabble in turning pens and such, so I use it to sharpen turning tools. Lately, I've been using it with a wire wheel for cleaning up tools.

I'll have to check into the warranty and see if I'm still in the period.

If it is OOW then the Woodcraft will searve your needs. I have one and really like it.

[Randy Klein]

If it is OOW then the Woodcraft will searve your needs. I have one and really like it.

What is OOW?

[mike holden]

OOW - Out Of Warranty

Mike

[Randy Klein]

Not sure if this had anything to do with it, but...

When it smoked, I had a wire wheel on one side and a buffing wheel on the other and was using it at the lowest speed (in fact I rarely use it higher than that).

Was this inappropriate? Is the grinder supposed to have at least one grinding wheel on at all times to help dampen vibrations or for a flywheel effect?

[Pete Bradley]

You didn't kill it by running it without a heavy wheel. The symptom says electrical problem. Besides the centrifugal switch, the parts list for this machine shows a circuit board that could have failed.

If it's cooked, you have nothing to lose by opening it up. I think you'll find a set of windings is burned out.

Pete

[Fyrman Dave]

If it's cooked, you have nothing to lose by opening it up.
...unless you intend to return it under warranty. In that case, don't open it up - that often voids any warranty.

[Randy Klein]

Your motor is most likely toast...

Does the motor turn freely by hand? If not, the bearings may be shot and causing lots of localized heat at the bearings. If the whole motor housing is hot than you're out of luck...

The motor no longer turns freely by hand or when I turn it on.

Could unbalanced wheels cause this?