Good quality bench grinder and table-top 1/2" drill press?

[zimm17]

I have a new 8' work bench. I need a grinder to have a wheel on one side and wire brush on the other. Mostly for mower blades, tool sharpening or general steel grinding/cleanup. I like quality, but can't afford Baldor's $800 stuff. What about in the $200 range?

What about a nice quality 1/2" table top drill press for drilling mostly sheet metal up to 5/16" plate?

Jet? Delta? etc....

 

[Alchymist]

Find one of the older Craftsman "block" grinders....cheap, run forever, easily repaired.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=167712&highlight=block+grinder&page=2

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=115423&highlight=block+grinder

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157794

 

[zimm17]

I should have specified- I'd rather have a new one. I hate dealing with CL around the DC area- not too much selection on tools...

 

[DARK AGE 53]

As for a grinder I have this http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...Bench+Grinders&prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=L3 , it's worked fine for my use.

 

[53 hemi]

It did indeed pain me to do it, but I bought the largest tabletop drill press that Harbor Freight sells. With the coupon and with it on sale I spent around $140. I've had it less than a year, but I've worked it pretty seriously. It has a lot of speed control and I use a lot of cutting oil. I've drilled 2" holes in .25" plate with no issues.

 

[zimm17]

yeah I can't to HF anymore. Throw away stuff. I'm looking at the ryobi, delta, jet, etc. It won't get much use, but I hate low HP crappy tools that bog down. I want to grind the **** out of some beat up mower blades without the motor slowing down. I want to drill 3/8" holes in steel at low speed and high force (less heat and the bit lasts longer) but don't want the motor to just stop.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Sounds like you want something that isn't available. If you plan on keeping the items for a while, pony up the cash now or plan on getting another later down the road.

 

[zimm17]

Then show me what to get....

 

[87Pomona]

Then show me what to get....

You can research it yourself. You know what you want and how much you can spend.

Google or search on here.

 

[Southern]

You only want to spend $200, but don't want to buy old, but want something high quality that will last?

You silly.

 

[zimm17]

You guys are not much help- thanks anyway.

 

[creativecars]

Awww come on guys... I want it right now, brand new, delivered to my door when I am home, make it high quality and LOW cost!!!
When I saw this thread I thought wow this is good, Im looking for an 8" grinder and 1/2" drill press. I am a little more flexible as I am watching ebay and CL just waiting for a good deal on a quality tool.

 

[dirtydogintex]

Awww come on guys... I want it right now, brand new, delivered to my door when I am home, make it high quality and LOW cost!!!
When I saw this thread I thought wow this is good, Im looking for an 8" grinder and 1/2" drill press. I am a little more flexible as I am watching ebay and CL just waiting for a good deal on a quality tool.

yep


+1

 

[Alchymist]

I should have specified- I'd rather have a new one. I hate dealing with CL around the DC area- not too much selection on tools...

Then show me what to get....

Drill Press:
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/tls/3458106971.html

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/tls/3420657191.html

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/for/3413649096.html

Bench Grinder:

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/tls/3458624620.html

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/tls/3447361308.html

 

[d.mcfarland]

^ This post is the best help you're going to get zimm17. It's what you're looking for, now just take the time to contact the people, talk them down, and go get it! The first drill press looks like a steal.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

I have one of those C'man 6" grinders shown in the last link just above. I paid $40 at a pawn shop for a like new one and it has been adequate for what I've done with it. It's not a "big" motor (says 1/6 HP), but it works surprisingly well. I'd bet it will do anything the OP needs.

 

[GarageEnvy]

Zimm,
I just went through the exact same grinder decision with the exact same price point. After a ton of research I found that pretty much all new grinders **** unless you jump up to the Baldor $800 level. Of the cheaper new grinders I thought Wilton/Jet were the best options at $200. I ordered the 8" Jet from Northerntool.com for right at $200. It was a mess. Castings were out of alignment and tool rests weren't square. I sent it back and got a replacement with a dead short. I investigated and found a pathetically weak bracket holding the capacitor in place had bent. They used to be made in Taiwan and are now being made in China. The older Taiwanese Jet grinders are much better.

I know the frustration you're going through but this is really a case where used is better. Look at Dayton, Wissota, Craftsman block grinders and even old Baldors will be in your price range. There were some people buying up Dewalt grinders for $85. Check the hot deals section to see if that deal hasn't died yet. My HF grinder was the worst of the bunch. It literally broke its base casting at the motor and fell off the pedestal.

 

[JASTECH]

If he is going to sharpen blades wont he be better off with a 1725 rpm bench grinder with 1/2 to 3/4hp USA motor?
>
Then he writes about grinding the mess out of steel, so you don't want to change the steels temper with high speed 3400+ rpm grinders, this too would be better at 1725 rpm. IMO

 

[Alchymist]

If he is going to sharpen blades wont he be better off with a 1725 rpm bench grinder with 1/2 to 3/4hp USA motor?
>
Then he writes about grinding the mess out of steel, so you don't want to change the steels temper with high speed 3400+ rpm grinders, this too would be better at 1725 rpm. IMO

Higher speed removes material faster, just need to keep the item being ground quenched and not overheat it. 1//3 - 1/2 HP 3450 is the most common compromise - fast removal with adequate power for 90 % of the jobs. Slow speed grinders are for tools, knives, etc, usually using fine grit wheels. YMMV.

 

[RKA]

There were some people buying up Dewalt grinders for $85. Check the hot deals section to see if that deal hasn't died yet. My HF grinder was the worst of the bunch. It literally broke its base casting at the motor and fell off the pedestal.

That deal is dead...sorta. Regular price is $114, and then there is a $25 promotional credit applied at the last step of checking, so that brings you to $89+tax. On the day of the deal, amazon knocked a few more bucks off the price to sweeten the pot. That said, I got mine and consistent with amazon reviews, there is some wobble/runout. I haven't messed around with it enough to tell if the runout is in the arbor or the grinding wheel (I suspect the wheel). One amazon post referenced shimming the washers holding the wheel with electrical tape would solve the issue. Otherwise, the bearings seem fine and it's got 3/4 hp so it's beefy enough, but it's chinese origins shine through unfortunately. I got tired of holding out for a used baldor/dayton, and I'm not so certain jumping on the dewalt was the wise thing to do.

 

[Gary S]

yeah I can't to HF anymore. Throw away stuff.

Maybe and maybe not. I bought Harbor Freight's biggest drill press for my garage about 20 years ago. It has never disappointed me. If the ones they sell today are equal in quality to their old ones, you would be surprised at how well it would serve you.