I need a bench grinder for cleaning bolts. I do automotive work as a hobby and looking for something that will last a long time without giving me any trouble. If I could also get your input on big box store bench grinders that would be great. This is what I'm looking at so far -- http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=271573822539&alt=web
Cleaning bolts with a bench grinder?
- Thread starter alexp1289
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bobcatdan
Well-known member
That looks to be a nice unit. There isn't much for quality bench grinders from a big box store. If I had to buy one, the DeWalts seem OK. The DeWalt is about half the price, but probably half the performance. Once you use a good unit, the crappiness of the cheap ones really shine threw. The general response you are going to get from the board is buy a used baldor or an older craftsman block. The cheap bastards on this site seem to have a hard time paying for a new quality unit.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
I assume you'll be using a wire wheel for cleaning the bolts? That Baldor is a nice machine but it's probably overkill for your purposes. I have a generic electric motor on a stand, with an arbor adapter so I can bolt on a wire wheel, and it works great for cleaning up bolts and such. I've had it for 30 years or so, and it works as well today as it did when I got it.
woody 73
Well-known member
Alexp Hi, if you had put your location I could look at your local CL for just an electrical motor something like this:
http://columbus.craigslist.org/tls/4802529400.html
You then walk into your local hardware store and buy an attachment to mount to the shaft that will hold a wire wheel (not more then a few dollars).
On the other hand the baldor is one of the better grinders out there bigger is always better and yes they do come with wheels at least all of mine did.
http://columbus.craigslist.org/tls/4802529400.html
You then walk into your local hardware store and buy an attachment to mount to the shaft that will hold a wire wheel (not more then a few dollars).
On the other hand the baldor is one of the better grinders out there bigger is always better and yes they do come with wheels at least all of mine did.
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
If you want a cool setup, get hold of a water pump motor. They have threaded shafts that a drill chuck will screw right onto. This gives you universal uses for any attachment that will fit into the chuck. Wire brushes and buffing wheels can be mounted onto a bolt which is then inserted into the chuck and tightened. I have a Craftsman block grinder, 2 import grinders, and the pump motor setup. They all work well.
WILD-BILL
Well-known member
I'll second the Ryobi. I have the 8" and it's been great.
kiatech
Well-known member
Waiting for the replies about how its bad to wire wheel a bolt....
bobcatdan
Well-known member
Me three.
Heavymetalmechanic
Well-known member
There is something wrong with using a wire wheel to remove rust from a bolt?
alwaysFlOoReD
Well-known member
Keep your head out of the line of fire.
Don't wear cloth gloves.
Don't wear cloth gloves.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
The only thing I can think of as being bad about wire wheeling a bolt is if you're dumb enough to try to hold the bolt with your hand while using the wire wheel and not using a vice grip to hold the bolt. You can really hurt yourself badly using method #1.
Using a Baldor to hold a wire wheel is sort of useless. The advantage of a Baldor is the perfectly smooth running of a grinding wheel enabling superior sharpening. Wire wheels are so out of balance by nature you'll never notice the difference between a Baldor and a Ryobi. In this instance go cheap as there is no advantage to going expensive.
Using a Baldor to hold a wire wheel is sort of useless. The advantage of a Baldor is the perfectly smooth running of a grinding wheel enabling superior sharpening. Wire wheels are so out of balance by nature you'll never notice the difference between a Baldor and a Ryobi. In this instance go cheap as there is no advantage to going expensive.
Big Bad Jon
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No there is not.
SweetD
Well-known member
bobcatdan
Well-known member
You will remove any protective coating on the bolt rendering vernable to rust which did such a goof job in the first place keeping the rusty bolt from getting...
ken w.
Well-known member
I bought a delta 6" grinder about 15 years ago and it still works good. It was $69.95. I put a knotted or twisted wire wheel on one side and the medium grit wheel on the other. I have cleaned more bolts and tools than you could ever imagine. No injuries. You just have to use your head and not do anything stupid.
Cope
Well-known member
If I wasn't buying a Baldor, I would look hard at this one. Notice it has exhaust guards.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004T9KV/?tag=atomicindus08-20
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004T9KV/?tag=atomicindus08-20
bobcatdan
Well-known member
Well I have to think of something about bench grinders to say since I posted in the wrong thread and need to change. Buy the baldor and don't look back.
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Scsmith42
Well-known member
I use an 8" Jet grinder with a wire brush one one end. It works great. Always wear safety glasses; the wire brushes have a way of throwing bristles into your face.
Scott
Scott
ajchien
Well-known member
Get the baldor. You'll never ever have grinder envy.
However, it is overkill for cleaning bolts. I'd think any cheap grinder will clear crud of of threads.
However, it is overkill for cleaning bolts. I'd think any cheap grinder will clear crud of of threads.
Thanks for the reply guys as I've seen with car parts cheap price might be good. But on the other hand I've had them fail or not get the kind of performance I expected. Then kick myself for not getting a quality part and think damn I should have got the best one I could afford. Not only that but I could put different wheels on and know that the Baldor could handle it.
You shouldn't have to put that much pressure on it... Let the wheel do the work.
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Canadian Charlie
Banned
I have a 6 inch no name machine 1/3 hp with a wire wheel and grinding stone, I've owned it over 20 years now and its still going strong
Super Mech
Well-known member
I've got a Westward grinder someone gave me, maybe 3/4hp. The thing is so strong it has ripped bolts from my hands and flung them around the garage. I have another cheap grinder that is much less aggressive and gives me more control when cleaning bolts. Sometimes bigger isn't better.
rcjoy
Well-known member
As others have mentioned, Baldor is the way to go. 3/4 HP is a good size for general use.
If your main use is a wire wheel on small parts, you might consider getting an 1800 RPM model. 3600 RPM on a 8 inch wheel can be a bit much at times. On larger parts 3600 RPM works fine for me.
If your main use is a wire wheel on small parts, you might consider getting an 1800 RPM model. 3600 RPM on a 8 inch wheel can be a bit much at times. On larger parts 3600 RPM works fine for me.
Omg you don't need a Baldor grinder to run a wire wheel to clean off a bolt. I hate to say it, but I would go to harbor freight and buy a cheaper buffer. I have the woodcraft slow speed 8" grinder and it works fine. Good grinders are for sharpening lathe bits and drill bits.
Consider a few alternatives such as soaking in kerosene, tooth brush elbow grease, and a rethreading kit
Consider a few alternatives such as soaking in kerosene, tooth brush elbow grease, and a rethreading kit
^ ^ ^ THIS !!! Putting an old block Craftsman 1/3 HP to work for wire wheel is perfect solution. Swap out the worn out wire wheel on one shown with new wire wheel. Flip the switch and get 'er done !!
Who wants a Ryobi in their shop when they can have a block C-man !!!!
All this talk of Baldor and 3/4 HP is just crazy for minor bolt thread cleaning . . overkill.
bobcatdan
Well-known member
The unit the OP linked to is a 1/3 HP. Perfect size of a general out repair shop. To the OP, I would only put one wire wheel on while leaving the stone on the other. I'm sure you will find uses for it.
Outlander
Well-known member
After reading this thread and all the responses, I am torn. My son gave me my bench grinder, and I installed a wire brush which use often. Yes, I use locking pliers and leather gloves to hold small parts, along with eye protection.
I do get a bit aggressive and slow the wheel down when not paying attention, but it sounds to me that might be a good thing to avoid projectiles.
The grinding wheel is used infrequently, but is nice to break edges.
In the end, I use it often and though an inexpensive Canadian Tire model I'll use it until I burn it up.
I do get a bit aggressive and slow the wheel down when not paying attention, but it sounds to me that might be a good thing to avoid projectiles.
The grinding wheel is used infrequently, but is nice to break edges.
In the end, I use it often and though an inexpensive Canadian Tire model I'll use it until I burn it up.
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drivesitfar
Well-known member
Alex: Baldor is one of the best if not the best bench grinders you can buy. of course like others say it is over kill for just cleaning off the rust off a few bolts because any grinder will do that.
the $25 version of the Craftsman block grinder the guys are posting an ad on will work and if you want one all spiffed up like the one i bought with a nice stand it will cost $150-200. mine is a 1/2 HP commercial version that was bought new in the 60's and barely used by a woodworker. they don't come up often on Craigs or Ebay, but these grinders will last a lifetime too. here's a nice thread if you want to learn more about Craftsman block grinders and blocks in general.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157794
As Scott said his 8 inch Jet grinder works great and i have had a couple 6 inch ones that worked great for me. i have an old 6 inch Black and Decker i have on a stand and am using now while i'm cleaning up my shop getting ready to set up my Craftsman and my Baldor 3/4 inch 8 inch buffers that also works great.
as said and can never be said enough because a lot of us are guilty of this. if you buy or use old stone wheels please inspect for cracks and defects and do a ring test and stand to the side of your grinder when you start it up because stones will explode. use full face shields while wire wheeling and thick closing because those wires will come of and stick you pretty good. lastly don't use a stone to trim aluminum or some other soft metals because they will fill up the pores in the stone and might explode.
if i was buying a new grinder and cash wasn't an object Baldor would be my choice for a stone or wire wheel bench grinder. A tuned up pre 1970's US made grinder will probably work as well so it's up to you and i like those best.
if you want to start grinding metal check out www.burrking.com and make sure the kids are fed before you buy one of those which i'm hoping to own one some day.
good luck
the $25 version of the Craftsman block grinder the guys are posting an ad on will work and if you want one all spiffed up like the one i bought with a nice stand it will cost $150-200. mine is a 1/2 HP commercial version that was bought new in the 60's and barely used by a woodworker. they don't come up often on Craigs or Ebay, but these grinders will last a lifetime too. here's a nice thread if you want to learn more about Craftsman block grinders and blocks in general.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157794
As Scott said his 8 inch Jet grinder works great and i have had a couple 6 inch ones that worked great for me. i have an old 6 inch Black and Decker i have on a stand and am using now while i'm cleaning up my shop getting ready to set up my Craftsman and my Baldor 3/4 inch 8 inch buffers that also works great.
as said and can never be said enough because a lot of us are guilty of this. if you buy or use old stone wheels please inspect for cracks and defects and do a ring test and stand to the side of your grinder when you start it up because stones will explode. use full face shields while wire wheeling and thick closing because those wires will come of and stick you pretty good. lastly don't use a stone to trim aluminum or some other soft metals because they will fill up the pores in the stone and might explode.
if i was buying a new grinder and cash wasn't an object Baldor would be my choice for a stone or wire wheel bench grinder. A tuned up pre 1970's US made grinder will probably work as well so it's up to you and i like those best.
if you want to start grinding metal check out www.burrking.com and make sure the kids are fed before you buy one of those which i'm hoping to own one some day.
good luck
So I ended up picking a Sunex Grinder 3/4 hp @5 amps. It also has a work light and I think it should meet my needs quite well. I have other Sunex tools and I have been amazed at the quality so I'm hoping that this will be a good grinder. I'm going to take the guards off and leave them off and just use safety goggles. I think I made a good decision with this grinder what do you guys think?
Paid - $138/free shipping (eBay brand new).
It got good reviews on Amazon (granted only 6 people):
Sunex 5002A Bench Grinder with Light, 8-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRK7G/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Sunex tools product page:
http://www.sunextools.com/index.cfm?s=detail&subcat=131&item=409
Paid - $138/free shipping (eBay brand new).
It got good reviews on Amazon (granted only 6 people):
Sunex 5002A Bench Grinder with Light, 8-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002SRK7G/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Sunex tools product page:
http://www.sunextools.com/index.cfm?s=detail&subcat=131&item=409
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Alex: if you are happy and it fits your needs then it really doesn't matter what we think. sorry to say i haven't heard of that brand before, but then i buy 50 plus year old tools mostly. that said i love the Ryobi 18v tools and the new batteries so maybe you found a good brand.
let us know how you like it after you set it up and use it. safety goggles are not really enough, but i know i haven't even used that before and survived. just wear thick shirts if you are going to stand in front of a wire wheel and a $20 full face 3M or some other brand shield will help.
please make a few posts with your results if you don't mind.
let us know how you like it after you set it up and use it. safety goggles are not really enough, but i know i haven't even used that before and survived. just wear thick shirts if you are going to stand in front of a wire wheel and a $20 full face 3M or some other brand shield will help.
please make a few posts with your results if you don't mind.
Why are the Baldors so expensive? Do they have a special type of motor in them? What makes them different besides being made in America? It's hit or miss with tools made over seas. It's odd that a 1/3 hp grinder is double the price of a DeWalt which is a pretty well known name. I get that they are industrial grinders but I still don't get what makes them special.
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Alex: i can't give you all the technical aspects of why Baldor is better than the competition, but they are built to run all day and then the next and the next and so on.
i have owned several single phase Baldor grinders and buffers and still do and they have yet to fail me. all i have to do is change a stone, wire wheel or buffing pad and they keep running. I know guys that have small shops that might not turn the grinder off in 8 hours with somebody using it almost the entire time every day.
they also make 3 phase grinders and the motors for one of the most expensive belt grinders i know of called www.burrking.com.
look up the prices of Burrking belt grinders if you want a little sticker shock, but i hear they are worth the money if you have the need.
good luck with your purchase and would like to hear more about how you like using it once it arrives and you set it up.
i have owned several single phase Baldor grinders and buffers and still do and they have yet to fail me. all i have to do is change a stone, wire wheel or buffing pad and they keep running. I know guys that have small shops that might not turn the grinder off in 8 hours with somebody using it almost the entire time every day.
they also make 3 phase grinders and the motors for one of the most expensive belt grinders i know of called www.burrking.com.
look up the prices of Burrking belt grinders if you want a little sticker shock, but i hear they are worth the money if you have the need.
good luck with your purchase and would like to hear more about how you like using it once it arrives and you set it up.
One more question and I know that no one has all the answers but are most bench grinder bearings replaceable once you take it apart?
Also has anyone ever dissected a Baldor and a cheaper brand and done a side by side comparison? That would be cool to see
Also has anyone ever dissected a Baldor and a cheaper brand and done a side by side comparison? That would be cool to see
928'er
Well-known member
WIRE WHEEL: Cleans rust off bolts and then throws them somewhere
under the workbench with the speed of light. Also removes fingerprints
and hard-earned calluses from fingers in about the time it takes you
to say, ''What the...''
under the workbench with the speed of light. Also removes fingerprints
and hard-earned calluses from fingers in about the time it takes you
to say, ''What the...''
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