The Unofficial Wissota Grinder Thread

[maxwage]

Today I made the quench tray, I'm happy with the way it turned out.

I I am trying to learn more about soldering and or braising copper and brass. What kind of Materials and tools did you use to join that device?


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[exmaxima1]

I I am trying to learn more about soldering and or braising copper and brass. What kind of Materials and tools did you use to join that device?


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Try a search for "Brazing" and you will see alot of info.

 

[A E Numan]

I I am trying to learn more about soldering and or braising copper and brass. What kind of Materials and tools did you use to join that device?


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I used sheet copper bought at the hardware store and rosin core solder. I used a propane torch to melt the solder. The hard part was making the pattern fit the casting mounts on the front of the grinder.

 

[454ragtop]

I have one that started life as a Foley sharpener, bought it at a yard sale for $10. many years ago. Cord was shot, replaced it, and it purrs like a kitten. Still trying to think of something trick to do with the strange tilting mount it has.

Sorry for the delay, finally remembered to get a pic of this. What say ye - is it a Wissota?

 

[exmaxima1]

Sorry for the delay, finally remembered to get a pic of this. What say ye - is it a Wissota?

Judging solely by the rests and the motor end bells, I'm going with "Yes, its a Wissota".

Congrats.

 

[454ragtop]

Judging solely by the rests and the motor end bells, I'm going with "Yes, its a Wissota".

Congrats.

Thanks, but I should probably mention the tool rest is one I fabbed from a piece of angle iron. But it was the motor end bells that made me also think it was a Wissota.

 

[exmaxima1]

Thanks, but I should probably mention the tool rest is one I fabbed from a piece of angle iron. But it was the motor end bells that made me also think it was a Wissota.

Well, knowing that, I'm not so sure now. I will hold my opinion until later.

I should know in a few weeks when I get back from Hawaii.....

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Here is a 1hp Wissota I brushed up a bit

 

[M_George]

I've heard a lot of good things about them. If I find a nice one, I might have to kick my block off the stand. ( Sorry toqureman...LOL)

 

[exmaxima1]

Having just picked up a 1975 model E-8 I will start the thread with that one. Note that this grinder is not labeled "Wissota" but instead it is "C&H Distributing". I contacted Wissota yesterday and they confirmed it is one of theirs.

Note the modern lines of Wissota grinders: the tapered motor ends, the sleek end covers, and their classic integral quench tray. I've owned (and own) a few other Wissotas, and this is the first one I've found that is cast iron. Most later models are all die-cast of some alloy, yet this W-8 has cast iron guards (a magnet does stick to them) and is VERY heavy---I'm estimating 75 lbs.

Finished painting the 8-inch Wissota grinder, and wanted to add some updated pics. I opted go with Rustoleum Blue Hammered (and red eyeshields) instead of the original rosemary color as I think it looks better with the red label.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Finished painting the 8-inch Wissota grinder, and wanted to add some updated pics. I opted go with Rustoleum Blue Hammered (and red eyeshields) instead of the original rosemary color as I think it looks better with the red label.

Looks fantastic

 

[exmaxima1]

Looks fantastic

Thanks. Yours looks great as well in the original rosemary color.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Got the stand painted for the Wissota and decided that this one is staying in the garage Just love how smooth they are.

 

[exmaxima1]

Vintage Bosch 6-inch grinder made by Wissota. I removed the wheel guards for my application as a buffer/polisher, and gave it some freshening up. Whisper quiet, silky smooth, and a pleasure to use.

 

[c5coast]

Just scored an E7 for 70.00 Don't see many on the west coast. Eye guards and what I assume are debris shields? they're in the pic to the right. Runs smooth as silk and even came with original wheels. Does anyone know how to determine its age??

 

[A E Numan]

It look's like it's a 1976 based on the serial number line.

 

[exmaxima1]

Just scored an E7 for 70.00 Don't see many on the west coast. Eye guards and what I assume are debris shields? they're in the pic to the right. Runs smooth as silk and even came with original wheels. Does anyone know how to determine its age??

Excellent score for $70, and agreed, the manufacturing date is 1976

 

[454ragtop]

For something a little different, how about a belt drive arbor. Found this this weekend at the swap meet, still has the original Wissota grinding wheel on it. Missing the tool rest (s?), interesting that the other side isn't drilled and tapped for a guard, so thinking it was only supplied with 1 and the other side was to be used for buffing or a wire wheel.

 

[dhake]

Trying to track down the rough year this one was built. Can't find one like it on the internet so far. No water tray like most. Has shield assembly holes. Cast guard. 2 hole mount.



Any ideas?


Dave

 

[trijeff]

Here's my first Wissota ... $50. Is it military? That's what I think when I see contract numbers on nameplates. Glad to see there still might be some replacement parts available.

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[exmaxima1]

Here's my first Wissota ... $50. Is it military? That's what I think when I see contract numbers on nameplates.

Great score for $50, you did well. Certainly looks like a defense contract number on the plate, Vietnam era. It looks like it needs nothing except maybe another rest, so no worries about parts, and doubtful any would still be available for that ancient model. You would have to fabricate your own quench tray.

 

[trijeff]

Believe it or not they still have parts available, at least for this model. Getting new eye shields and tool rests. Really reasonable pricing, too.

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[duddly]

Picked up a 1994 Wissota E7(1 or I?) - I haven't had a chance to swap out my chinese grinder yet but this looks to be a MAJOR upgrade. It has one of the original Wissota wheels on it and a wire brush on the other end.

Oh.. edit.. I should mention that this was a "while you are here" pickup on my very first freecycle pickup trip. Wonderful guy that I got it from and I hope I can do it justice in use and care.

Not sure when they stopped making grinders (mine is 1994) but this was on their website - https://wissota.com/about/
...Since 1946, we have built industrial skate sharpeners, bench grinders, precision electric motors, and grinding wheels. Wissota made all of the industrial bench grinders for Milwaukee, Electric Tool, Snap-On-Tools, Rockwell International (Delta), Wilton, Sioux Tools, and Bosch. Taiwanese and Chinese imports have decimated the bench grinders market and Wissota Skate Sharpeners has been using all of its expertise to manufacture ice skate sharpeners exclusively for many years now (hence the name change to Wissota Skate Sharpeners).

 

[bjt0055]

Just picked up this one. I'm thinking Wissota? Couldn't find anything similar after searching online for a bit. Similar to a smaller Wissota I have. 8" , 3/4hp Any ideas?

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[trijeff]

Yep, Wissota E-8, look back at the first post in this thread. Nice pick up.

 

[NC Rick]

A birthday present from my late, dear dad. Late 70s or early 80s

 

[exmaxima1]

Just picked up this one. I'm thinking Wissota? Couldn't find anything similar after searching online for a bit. Similar to a smaller Wissota I have. 8" , 3/4hp Any ideas?

Yep, definitely Wissota, and an older all-iron version like the starter in this thread. Wissota apparently made grinders for many companies, including this Bluepoint grinder I use for buffing. It's an alloy version, but still pretty hefty.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

Well, mine's not branded Wissota, but I've been told that's who made it and given the appearance I'm inclined to agree.

 

[exmaxima1]

Well, mine's not branded Wissota, but I've been told that's who made it and given the appearance I'm inclined to agree.

Definitely Wissota, and definitely a rare find with both wheel and belt. A full pic showing the complete belt attachment would be most appreciated.

 

[Bigblockyeti]

A few more for your viewing pleasure.

 

[NC Rick]

The belt sander is nice! It has a simple design with good side access. Is the tracking reliable?

 

[Bigblockyeti]

The tracking is very reliable, I have a variety of other belt sanders for different applications and this one tracks the best by far under any load. Side access is almost too much, I'm fairly certain it had a guard over the bottom and top pulleys but that's how I got it.

 

[zkling]

The bottom wheel is a contact wheel, although with limited access, it probably never had a cover.

 

[Don-F]

I picked up this 1966 1/2 hp Wissota on eBay a few years ago. Very low use. Still has its original grinding wheels and the corners are not even rounded. I like it, its so smooth compared to the import that use to sit in its place. The only thing I dislike is no mount holes in the base, but doesn't really need them, I set it on top of a tool chest instead of using a pedestal. For its size, it seems like the hp rating might be very optimistic, but I just use it to sharpen HSS and it does fine for that.

 

[Craptain]

Nice machine Don. I have never seen that style before.

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[exmaxima1]

I picked up this 1986 1/2 hp Wissota on eBay a few years ago. Very low use. Still has its original grinding wheels and the corners are not even rounded. I like it, its so smooth compared to the import that use to sit in its place. The only thing I dislike is no mount holes in the base, but doesn't really need them, I set it on top of a tool chest instead of using a pedestal. For its size, it seems like the hp rating might be very optimistic, but I just use it to sharpen HSS and it does fine for that.

A closeup pic of the nameplate would be nice, as I can't see where it reads 1/2hp. The current draw for such a small grinder would indicate a shaded-pole type motor, and they rarely approach that much power. Similar shaded pole grinders have less power at even higher amperage.

 

[Don-F]

I always thought it was a 1986 grinder as that was what was in the description when I bought it. Now blowing up the name plate the serial looks like 66 not 86

 

[Don-F]

 

[zkling]

I picked up a milwaukee 4991, 1/2hp, 7" unit the other day, just to see what all the fuss was about. It is a nice grinder, but had a few disappointing components such as the plastic lighted eye shields and the guard covers not being cast. I'd put it above a 1/2hp block grinder, but below a baldor 1/2 hp such as the 712RE. Although I like the rests on the milwaukee better than the baldor.

 

[Mslund1]

Picked up a little 1/3HP 6” Wissota from an estate sale last weekend for $20

Serial dates it 1972

Needed some cleaning up and love but worked flawless. Need to grab a couple new wheels for it still

Repainted in hammered gold, turned out pretty nice





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