Help me choose a bench grinder

[CJinPA]

Here is my dilemma. I have a 8" Dayton 3/4 hp grinder that I've been using for a while now with no issues. Today I came across this 7" Mac/Baldor 1/2 hp for $100. This thing appears to be built nicer than the Dayton (Heavy casting as opposed to the aluminum on the Dayton). They both run really smooth and run strong. I'm tempted to keep the Mac one and let the Dayton go to a buddy of mine who has nothing as of now. I use my grinders wire wheel more than anything. Would it be noticeable to go down to the 7" wheel and less power?

 

[exmaxima1]

Here is my dilemma. I have a 8" Dayton 3/4 hp grinder that I've been using for a while now with no issues. Today I came across this 7" Mac/Baldor 1/2 hp for $100. I use my grinders wire wheel more than anything. Would it be noticeable to go down to the 7" wheel and less power?

I don't think you'd notice much of a difference with a wire wheel, except you'd have to buy a new wheel, and 7-inch seems to be an oddball size nowadays when you try to shop at a local hardware box store.

I have a similar 1/2hp Baldor 7-inch, but mine is an older 7307D and draws a significantly higher 5.8 amps. I also have a 2x42 belt adapter on it, and I can easily stop it when using anything coarser than 80 grit. But a wire wheel takes less power so you should be ok.

BTW, I have a Dayton (Taiwan) 10-inch grinder and it's a monster. I think you have the same amp rating of 10 amps on your 8-inch. Mine will dim the lights when pushed really hard but doesn't slow down. Those imported Daytons are pretty good!

 

[Vantastic]

Cj are you in Erie?

 

[CJinPA]

Vantastic, I sure am

 

[CJinPA]

exmaxima1, there is no doubt the Dayton has power at 10+ amps. Maybe I'm just being a brand snob with the Mac/Baldor names.

 

[Vantastic]

Vantastic, I sure am

Cool me too.
I seen that on cl. I don't need another grinder, so I was going to wait a couple days and lowball him. You got a fair deal on that. The ad is still up.

 

[454ragtop]

I think you'd be going backwards myself, nothing wrong with cast aluminum guards, it's the **** stamped tin ones to look out for. What RPM is the Dayton, and is it US made? I have a US made 10" Dayton like that, it's a jewel.
Jim

 

[CJinPA]

My Dayton is 10.8 amps and 3450 rpms. It is made in Taiwan though. I really have nothing bad to say about it. I just have it in my head that Baldor is "the" name in electric motors.

 

[exmaxima1]

My Dayton is 10.8 amps and 3450 rpms. It is made in Taiwan though. I really have nothing bad to say about it. I just have it in my head that Baldor is "the" name in electric motors.

I agree that Baldor is probably the best name nowadays. But if look at older makes from >30 years ago, they are really just about average. My Rockwell Triple Duty has a Marathon motor and virtually everything on that grinder is better than my Baldor of the same era. The Rockwell has better guards, better rests, better wheel flanges, and better lighted eyeshields. My buddy's Queen City buffer is in a whole different league...

In any case, if your Dayton runs smooth it would be a tough decision to dump it in favor of a Baldor with 1/3 the power (based on current draw). It's not apples-to-apples. But if you found a bigger Baldor (not a low line 712RE) if would be much easier to choose.

 

[rhandwor]

I would keep the 3/4 HP unit smaller ones tend to stall a lot.