Half grinder half linisher thing... your views please!

[jipps]

So, I have neither a grinder nor a linisher. I don't have a massive, frequent need for either, and have got by to now using a mix of clamps, drills, orbital sanders, hand tools... but I would like to broaden my capabilities and capacities.

What do we think of these - do they kill two birds with one stone? Or are they jack of all trades and master of none?

Views please, help me decide!

This one is 370W, one 150mm grinding wheel, 50 x 686mm sanding belt, worklight, dust extraction...

 

[Superbec]

a real belt grinder has a rubber contact wheel and is a lot more powerful

I do have a thing similar to this one and it does it's job , but don't ask too much of it.

 

[jipps]

Okay, so we don't care about these, fair enough... thanks Superbec for the response!

 

[d.mcfarland]

Most of us aren't in Ireland, so giving us the options you have might be a better route to take here.

 

[jipps]

Most of us aren't in Ireland, so giving us the options you have might be a better route to take here.

You make a good point, I will bear that in mind in future! For now, I was really only wondering what people thought of this hybrid (pic above) vs a dedicated grinder and linisher:

+

 

[LXCam]

Well I'll say that after getting a real belt grinder, I haven't once used my bench grinder. But there is nothing cheap about a good belt grinder so it takes a real need to spend that kind of money.

 

[zkling]

What do you plan on using it for? I started with and still have a craftsman 2x42 w/ 6" disc on the side (look it up), similar to your first listing belt wise.

You might be better off building one. No clue what the market is like over there.

 

[royesses]

Nothing wrong with the grinder/linisher. If they will do the job you need go for it.

 

[LumpyMusic]

My bench grinder sometimes sits for months without being used. But my belt sander gets used every couple of days.

Bench grinding on small stuff is always a hassle holding the parts. But shaping them on a sander is much more controllable. To grind on large parts, it's much easier and controllable to clamp the part and use a hand held angle grinder.

If I had to choose between the options, I think I'd get a dedicated bench sander, belt + disc, and skip the bench grinder entirely.


Sgt Lumpy

 

[jipps]

Some great points here, so...

Well I'll say that after getting a real belt grinder, I haven't once used my bench grinder. But there is nothing cheap about a good belt grinder so it takes a real need to spend that kind of money.

This is what I'm thinking. Whilst I am a definite convert to the "buy cheap buy twice" philosophy, and am generally only buying high-quality tools (new or used), this is definitely not going to be an everyday item, and - as you say - given how expensive a dedicated linisher can be, I think this is an area where I am prepared to compromise.

What do you plan on using it for? I started with and still have a craftsman 2x42 w/ 6" disc on the side (look it up), similar to your first listing belt wise.
You might be better off building one. No clue what the market is like over there.

I did look it up. Can't see it for sale to verify that the pic I saw is correct, but if it is, it is the identical machine. I see it also in the US as a Grizzly H7760. The units seem to come in 250W (0.33bhp) or 370W (0.5bhp). The draper above is the 370W. I just want it for general DIY & auto repair / parts finishing... building it is not on the cards, really, so would you recommend?

Nothing wrong with the grinder/linisher. If they will do the job you need go for it.

My bench grinder sometimes sits for months without being used. But my belt sander gets used every couple of days.
Bench grinding on small stuff is always a hassle holding the parts. But shaping them on a sander is much more controllable. To grind on large parts, it's much easier and controllable to clamp the part and use a hand held angle grinder.
If I had to choose between the options, I think I'd get a dedicated bench sander, belt + disc, and skip the bench grinder entirely.
Sgt Lumpy

I think that if money was no object, I would probably go for a dedicated linisher. But (a) money is an object; and (b) I do clamp/grind, but would like the bench capability for sharpening, etc...





This has been really useful in helping to shape my thoughts. Thanks to all