A "better" 6-inch grinder?

[kythri]

I purchased a Craftsman 6-inch bench grinder a few years ago, one of these:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00921124000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2

This was back before I knew anything about anything in the way of power tools, and just assumed that this was good.

Well, fact is, it's not.

The 2.1amp motor produces a whopping 1/6HP rating, and the thing gets bogged down something fierce when I'm trying to use the wire wheel I put on it.

It's time for something better.

I've been trying to stick around $100, but willing to go up a bit more for something better.

The best I've found in my desired range seems to be:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000224J3/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Any other suggestions? I want to stick with 6" because of the other wheels I've got, but I'm amenable to persuasive arguments to go to an 8"...

 

[Outlawmws]

I doubt you will find much worth having in the $100 range new.

I'd start haunting C-List for better used grinders.

 

[kythri]

Recommendations if I'm willing to spend more?

I'm not completely opposed to spending more, I just don't really want to, for as often as I use it (then again, if it was better, maybe I'd use it more?)...

The DeWalt I posted seems to handily spank the Craftsman I own.

 

[PCO6]

One of my brothers is a millwright and has that DeWalt grinder in his shop. He says it works fine for what he needs it for.

 

[JASTECH]

Good for doing the toe nails on my Kangal.

 

[bobcatdan]

Look for a used blador, wausota ( I can't spell) or milwaukee. Everything new that a person can find easy is the same basic import junk. You can buy baldors new but pricey, wausota isn't made anymore and who knows what a new milwaukee is like. If you're an alliance memeber you get deals on baleigh, but I don't if they enen make bench grinders and if they do if as small as a 6". Another option is the old "block" bench grinders from craftsman. They are common, normally cheap and good. They have a pretty good following here.

 

[Davefr]

For wire brushing you need more power then grinding. Shop for the highest amps you can find. (don't believe any HP ratings)

That Dewalt at 4 amps looks decent. I'd also look at JET - I'd rate them as good as Baldor. My 8" JET is very powerful yet runs smooth as silk.

 

[trboxman]

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2080939/29437/8in-Slow-Speed-Grinder.aspx#Reviews

this one is fairly well thought of by wood turners for sharpening lathe tools.

 

[Davefr]

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2080939/29437/8in-Slow-Speed-Grinder.aspx#Reviews

this one is fairly well thought of by wood turners for sharpening lathe tools.

I wouldn't use a 1750 RPM grinder for wire brushing. (too slow IMHO).

 

[woody 73]

A few months back I passed up a very nice Dayton Grinder,the man would not budge on his price so I am still looking. If you have the time a good used one will show up and then what a delight to use.

 

[kythri]

Oh, I'm sure I've got the time, I'm just impatient. There are things that I WANT to do, but aren't pressing issues at the moment, hence my looking.

Short of "old-school quality manufacturing in the United States" (which is all a plus, to be sure), what else do older used units have over something like the DeWalt I posted?

Are they significantly stronger? What do I get by waiting?

 

[trboxman]

I'd think you'd get more realistic HP ratings. I believe that 3/4HP would draw more than 4 amps...

 

[kartracer55]

I have that dewalt grinder. It's been great, and in my opinion, falls somewhere between a true industrial type grinder (IE baldor) and the average home depot/sears 6" offerings. Well worth it in my opinion.

 

[1984Datsun]

If you find one of these old General grinders, you're in luck... you can put any motor on it since it's run by a v-belt...

Plus I actually have the original instruction sheet for it.

Someday, I gotta get around to making a pedestal stand for this grinder set up... and throw a Dayton 1 hp agricultural fan motor on...

 

[kythri]

I'd think you'd get more realistic HP ratings. I believe that 3/4HP would draw more than 4 amps...

1HP = approximately 750 watts

If Power / Voltage = Amps, then 750W / 120V = 6.25A

Therefore, 5/8HP = approximately 470W, so 470W / 120V = 3.9A, or approximately 4A.

That sounds spot-on for the DeWalt...

 

[kythri]

I have that dewalt grinder. It's been great, and in my opinion, falls somewhere between a true industrial type grinder (IE baldor) and the average home depot/sears 6" offerings. Well worth it in my opinion.

Excellent to hear - I think I'm going to order it Monday, unless something pops up on CL or eBay sooner...

 

[trboxman]

1HP = approximately 750 watts

If Power / Voltage = Amps, then 750W / 120V = 6.25A

Therefore, 5/8HP = approximately 470W, so 470W / 120V = 3.9A, or approximately 4A.

That sounds spot-on for the DeWalt...

Well, so much for my "belief".

 

[mjozefow]

Well, so much for my "belief".

Yeah but if that was a Shop-vac it would be rated at 387hp*

*peak at failure when it explodes and destroys the whole town.

 

[kythri]

Yeah but if that was a Shop-vac it would be rated at 387hp*

*peak at failure when it explodes and destroys the whole town.

A Shop-Vac, an air compressor or a pressure washer...

I'm surprised the Shop-Vac folks haven't gotten smacked-down yet for their HP claims like the rest of the folks...

 

[Goldhawg]

I'm looking at a used baldor 1/3 hp, but its $150. However, this old craftsman (maybe made in USA? I'll look at tomorrow) is only $20, also 1/3 hp. Should I wait until I can afford the baldor or is this older craftsman a nice one, especially for the price?

 

[kythri]

I'm no expert, but given the age of that Craftsman, it's probably just as good, and definitely appears to be a US-made model.

 

[BuckHenry]

I'm looking at a used baldor 1/3 hp, but its $150. However, this old craftsman (maybe made in USA? I'll look at tomorrow) is only $20, also 1/3 hp. Should I wait until I can afford the baldor or is this older craftsman a nice one, especially for the price?

That appears to be a good old American made block motor grinder. If it is $20 is a bargain. If it is a block grinder, the model number will begin with a manufacturer prefix of 397 or 257.

 

[Outlawmws]

For the $$ you can't really get hurt on the Craftsman. Just test it before you buy so you don't buy someone else's problems.

 

[BuckHenry]

I'm no expert, but given the age of that Craftsman, it's probably just as good, and definitely appears to be a US-made model.

I wouldn't say the block motors are as good as Baldors, but they are great grinders. They will outperform Chinese models sold today with hp ratings twice as high as their own.

 

[Goldhawg]

Well, I picked it up tonite. Bit of a hassle linking up, but for $20 very happy. Doesn't have any USA (or anything else) markings, but who cares--doesn't vibrate on my work bench at all (has the enclosed ball bearings). Now to get rid of that made in China piece of junk behind it...

 

[BuckHenry]

That is one of the good ones, and it was made in the USA.

 

[Outlawmws]

Well, I picked it up tonite. Bit of a hassle linking up, but for $20 very happy. Doesn't have any USA (or anything else) markings, but who cares--doesn't vibrate on my work bench at all (has the enclosed ball bearings). Now to get rid of that made in China piece of junk behind it...

Put it on CL; for $20...

 

[kythri]

Well, happy news - I discovered that after a giant remodel, the local Wilco Farm Supply store (which was always a limited-stock TrueValue dealer) now has a HUGE selection of hand tools and power tools that they didn't before, including a lot of DeWalt stuff.

They've got the bench grinder I want for $109, which is more than Amazon by about $8. Lowe's has it for $95, but for this? I don't have a problem spending a couple bucks more than Amazon to buy local (and I would have bought from Amazon before driving a 70 mile round trip to hit the closest Lowe's).

They've got a full line of Master Mechanic stuff, which is all import, but they've got a pretty extensive selection of open-stock, which is something this town has needed for a LONG time.

The local Ace and the Sears Hometown still haven't built up a decent stock of Craftsman, and the only other place to buy open stock tools is Autozone with whatever brand they're slinging this week.

Additionally, they have a HUGE selection of fasteners, far more than the Ace, and very close to rivaling the nearest Home Depot about 12 miles away.

Glad they upsized! Gonna get my grinder tomorrow!