Bench grinder power

Yankee · Dec 21, 2016

I mounted my bench grinder and looking to see how others ran their power cords. Hate to have the cord laying on the bench and plugged into the wall in front of the bench.

I was going to center an outlet on the bench, haven't done it yet because i'm still trying to figure out how I want to plug in the grinder. I've considered drilling a hole directly behind the grinder and having a outlet on the bench leg.

I don't use it much, so wasn't real sure if I wanted to go to the work on adding that outlet.

Right now I just have the power cord wrapped around the grinder....I hate that too..

Wondering how others done theirs..

rice rocket · Dec 21, 2016

I'd rather have the grinder free standing for a few reasons.

#1, all the **** doesn't get all over your workbench, it goes on the floor, where you can ignore it until it's time to sweep.
#2, cord isn't on the bench, like you're struggling with now.
#3, it's much quieter than vibrating the whole workbench.

If you don't use it much either, you'll just constantly be reaching over it, and it's just another place for you to snag a cord or your shirt on.

Yankee · Dec 21, 2016

I agree about free standing it. We have ours at the farm shop mounted that way. This is in my garage, so mounting that way isn't an option.

I've considered not even putting it on the bench since i originally (25 years ago) purchased it mainly to sharpen lawnmower blades.... I've since learned that a hand file is just as fast and does a better job. Anymore it's mainly to clean rust off whatever with the wire brush....

1982fxr · Dec 22, 2016

Those boxes on the left, if mine I'd move those to the front of the bench (fastened) to prevent myself from piling **** in front of them, getting in a hurry, needing in the box and then brushing it all to the side in a mess.

But if you don't have 40 projects at once it shouldn't matter I guess. Sweet Waterloo set by the way...

Yankee · Dec 22, 2016

1982fxr said:
Those boxes on the left, if mine I'd move those to the front of the bench (fastened) to prevent myself from piling **** in front of them, getting in a hurry, needing in the box and then brushing it all to the side in a mess.

But if you don't have 40 projects at once it shouldn't matter I guess. Sweet Waterloo set by the way...

You have no idea how much time I spent trying to figure out where to put those two boxes.... :willy_nil

I'm not real happy where they are, thanks for the possible idea...

Best money I've spent was on those Waterloo boxes... :thumbup:

Davefr · Dec 22, 2016

rice rocket said:
I'd rather have the grinder free standing for a few reasons.

#1, all the **** doesn't get all over your workbench, it goes on the floor, where you can ignore it until it's time to sweep.
#2, cord isn't on the bench, like you're struggling with now.
#3, it's much quieter than vibrating the whole workbench.

If you don't use it much either, you'll just constantly be reaching over it, and it's just another place for you to snag a cord or your shirt on.

^^^Agree.

#4, it's more versatile in positioning the work.
#5, it's easier to move around.
#6, workbench real estate is usually more precious then floor space.

Just get the cheap HF stand. It's good enough for most grinders. (even better if you fill 1/2 the column with concrete to give it more mass.)

GasNSteering · Dec 22, 2016

I wanted to fab a floor stand that I can fasten attachments to. I want the stand to bolt to the floor then remove it when not needed. I would make a universal mount then swap bench grinder, vise, buffer etc. maybe add a rear shield to catch debris. Any ideas on how to mount then remove from cement?

Cope · Dec 22, 2016

An old rim, piece of 4" pipe and some angle iron and you can make a stout grinder stand. I found an abandoned donut spare in good shape that I used for my second stand. The tire keeps it from moving around and there is no vibration. You definitely want it off the bench.

Davefr · Dec 22, 2016

GasNSteering said:
Any ideas on how to mount then remove from cement?

Female concrete wedge anchors set flush with the floor. Bolt the stand down as needed. The female versions won't have a threaded stub above the surface of the floor. (no trip hazard)

Major Ramifications · Dec 22, 2016

They ought to call them pedestal grinders instead of bench grinders. For the money, I like the pedestal stands from Sears.
Whatever you do, don't leave it on the workbench.

FMC1959 · Jan 1, 2017

Sorry, nothing constructive to add.

Your shop is too neat, the only times my shop is that neat is seconds before I wake up and realize it was a dream.

Cheers on the clean and neat shop :beer:

Lhorn · Jan 1, 2017

Major Ramifications said:
They ought to call them pedestal grinders instead of bench grinders. For the money, I like the pedestal stands from Sears.
Whatever you do, don't leave it on the workbench.

I just got the one from Sears. It's actually cheaper than the HF equivalent. In both cases you can get coupons to make them cheaper still. The Sears version seems good quality
Agree with getting it off the bench. I didn't use mine much on the bench much because I didn't want to permanently mount it and it you don't bolt it down it wants to walk around which isn't exactly safe. Now I have it bolted to the stand and can stuff it in a corner when I want it out of the way.

zkling · Jan 1, 2017

The wireless ones are all the rage these days. :thumbup:

Cope · Jan 1, 2017

Make or buy a receiver tube set up you can mount beneath the bench. You can store the grinder behind the Craftsman boxes you're going to move to the front of the bench.

WWheeler · Jan 1, 2017

Lhorn said:
Major Ramifications said:

They ought to call them pedestal grinders instead of bench grinders. For the money, I like the pedestal stands from Sears.
Whatever you do, don't leave it on the workbench.

Click to expand...

I just got the one from Sears. It's actually cheaper than the HF equivalent. In both cases you can get coupons to make them cheaper still. The Sears version seems good quality
Agree with getting it off the bench. I didn't use mine much on the bench much because I didn't want to permanently mount it and it you don't bolt it down it wants to walk around which isn't exactly safe. Now I have it bolted to the stand and can stuff it in a corner when I want it out of the way.

I bought the WEN one off Amazon which was the cheapest one I could find (I see it's $36 now, was $32 a couple weeks ago, so it fluctuates a bit).

I slipped plastic over the bottom post before sliding it into the bottom tri-foot support and filled the tube with concrete to make it more stable, and each leg has a 1/2" hole on the end of it for mounting to the floor, but instead I put casters on the two front ones and bolted a hockey puck foot on the back one. It's heavy enough with an 8" grinder on it to not want to move around when using it but I just need to tilt it back onto the wheels to move it around. I like to take outside the shop onto the driveway so I don't leave a mess to worry about inside and then roll it back when I'm done with it.

Similarly, my grandfather used to always weld a pole to a rim for a stand and he was able to tilt it and roll the grinder and all around to where he needed to. My wheels is just a bit easier.

Edit: Here's a pic. I will say I'm not totally happy with the size wheels I have just because they don't navigate a seam in the concrete very well. 1-1/2" casters are just what I had laying around. I'm probably going to swap them out for some 3" or 4" ones before long, probably some locking ones just so I can have more peace of mind it won't want to move around on me, but the little I've used it so far it's stayed put. Even if I just push with my hand pretty hard on one of the rests or corner of the base, a whole lot harder than I ever would into one of the wheels using it, it doesn't move.

crab · Jan 1, 2017

I slide mine to the back of the bench out of the way when not in use. Easy enough to move it forward and plug it in when needed. Mine doesn't vibrate much at all so it doesn't need to be bolted down.

Richard Cranium · Jan 1, 2017

I like the ideal of casters on your stand, Agreed that maybe larger wheel would be better.

WWheeler · Jan 1, 2017

crab said:
I slide mine to the back of the bench out of the way when not in use. Easy enough to move it forward and plug it in when needed. Mine doesn't vibrate much at all so it doesn't need to be bolted down.

I've done that with my old 6" grinder, but I did usually put a quick clamp on one of the feet to hold it stationary. Whether it really needed the clamp or not I dunno but better safe than sorry.

I never liked the mess I'd leave on the bench and all around everything near it though. That's why I wanted a pedestal that's mobile so i can take it outside weather permitting.

cajunfirehawk · Jan 1, 2017

WWheeler said:
I bought the WEN one off Amazon which was the cheapest one I could find (I see it's $36 now, was $32 a couple weeks ago, so it fluctuates a bit).

Love that idea, going to use it, thanks! :beer:

WWheeler · Jan 2, 2017

cajunfirehawk said:
Love that idea, going to use it, thanks!

You're welcome.

I do suggest also filling the post with concrete and putting some bigger wheels on it like I'm going to soon.

cajunfirehawk · Jan 6, 2017

Was surprised, stand is really nice for the price...put the "water tray" on the bottom for added weight, just have to get some wheels and one day a big boy bench grinder after I burn up the pair of $29 ryobis I picked up on black friday...

Sorry the forum pic "turner" got my file...

3TV · Jan 6, 2017

Yankee,
you might want to move that gas can a little farther away from the sparks that grinder is going to make when in use.

I use a stand to mount my grinder on, and it is over by the welder, drill press, and air compressor. That helps leave the bench open for other projects.

WWheeler · Jan 14, 2017

A little update. I'm happy to report my bench grinder stand maneuvers a LOT better with larger 3" wheels on it. These are locking casters too in case I find it wanting to move on me but so far just having the one hockey puck leg is enough to keep it in one place.

I just ordered another one of these cheap WEN grinder stands off Amazon to set up the same way with a Craftsman block grinder I recently got.

Here's a couple pics showing my bench grinder stand wheel mod & the post filled with concrete to make it more stable.

Rick B. · Jan 14, 2017

I set this up on my bench in 1998 and it was an antique when I got it. I think the motor is from an old oil burner furnace. I'm afraid to break it down and "rehab" it. Might not work again!

Bench grinder power

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