Bench Grinder

[83GTMike]

Hello folks,

Looking ahead to Father's Day 2018 and I think Dad is due for a new bench grinder. He would like a grinding wheel on one side and a wire brush on the other side. This will be used in a small automotive hobby shop, nothing super heavy duty. I'm looking to probably spend up to $300. I don't really have the patience for junk parts, but I can imagine that high quality bench grinders could get expensive in a hurry. Who makes a bench grinder that would be worth looking at?

Thanks guys,
Mike

 

[seber]

It's pretty hard for anyone to compete with Baldor for quality. You do pay for it. If you could go the used route, consider Wissota.

 

[shawhite]

In that price range probably jet for a standard type grinder wheel and wire wheel set up is what I would choose. Might also want to look into the multito setup. Cost a little extra but it has more versatility.

https://store.multitool-usa.com/products

 

[GarageGuy89]

You and me both.

New for that price JET was the only one's I could find with decent amperage.

Been scouring CG for a solid 2-3hp 220v setup. Hard to come by...

 

[1982fxr]

Baldor or used American made

 

[83GTMike]

Thanks for the quick and helpful responses, guys. I'll do some research and hopefully we'll have Dad squared away in no time!

 

[BikerDad]

size??

You can likely find a used Blockhead or Baldor up to 8" for that. You can get some new Baldor 6" for under $300.

 

[454ragtop]

A dead give away to a cheap crappy grinder is stamped tin wheel guards. Make sure whatever you get has cast iron or cast aluminum guards. Too bad you weren't closer, have a few nice extra grinders here.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

A dead give away to a cheap crappy grinder is stamped tin wheel guards.

You’re absolutely right...and...I have one that I bought probably 30-35 years ago I’m guessing.

The place (I now understand) was selling very poor quality stuff compared even to HF’s lower end stuff now but I was a kid and didn’t own anything so I bought it. I doubt I paid more than $20-25 for it. I also b ought a pneumatic nailer from them I still use occasionally.

The bench grinder has lasted all these years primarily for cleaning parts with the wire wheel. Yeah, I can stop it if I press too hard, but as long as I don’t it works fine. Always meant to buy a better one but why now? If it literally blows up I can’t complain in the slightest after all these years.

 

[Zeus36]

You can pick up a six inch Baldor from Amazon for $289 and mount a wire wheel on one side. Should last a lifetime:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IEH4NVI/ref=s9_dcacsd_dcoop_bw_c_x_1_w

 

[454ragtop]

You’re absolutely right...and...I have one that I bought probably 30-35 years ago I’m guessing.

The place (I now understand) was selling very poor quality stuff compared even to HF’s lower end stuff now but I was a kid and didn’t own anything so I bought it. I doubt I paid more than $20-25 for it. I also b ought a pneumatic nailer from them I still use occasionally.

The bench grinder has lasted all these years primarily for cleaning parts with the wire wheel. Yeah, I can stop it if I press too hard, but as long as I don’t it works fine. Always meant to buy a better one but why now? If it literally blows up I can’t complain in the slightest after all these years.

If you've never used better, you don't know what you don't know...……..

 

[exmaxima1]

You can pick up a six inch Baldor from Amazon for $289 and mount a wire wheel on one side. Should last a lifetime:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IEH4NVI/ref=s9_dcacsd_dcoop_bw_c_x_1_w

Or get the same grinder in RED for $255 with $20 promo code, and it is already set up with a grinding wheel and wire brush:

http://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/baldor-662r


Fwiw, if the application is mainly for wire wheels pretty much any grinder with decent power will suffice. You don't need low runout bearings or fancy balancing with wire wheels.

 

[tapered-pin]

I would think that the best option would be THIS one of the "multiTOOL package deal".

even if it IS a little more than what OP was looking at, there won't be anything holding his father back from a grinding/wirewheel standpoint after setting this bad boy up..

 

[Davefr]

Hello folks,

Looking ahead to Father's Day 2018 and I think Dad is due for a new bench grinder. He would like a grinding wheel on one side and a wire brush on the other side.

For wire brushing, you need amps and lots of them. (ignore HP ratings) I'd say 5 amps for 6" or 8 amps for 8".

I'd look at Jet. They're very powerful grinders for the size. (way more amps then an equivalent size Baldor. Baldor's are a bad choice for wire brushing.)

Another option are the older CM Block grinders >1/2HP.

For grinding you can get by with less power.

P.S. I have a like new CM Block grinder 7" 6 amp 3/4 HP for sale if you're interested.