Help me decide on a grinder.

[Duck tape Bill]

So I'm getting ready to buy my first grinder for my garage shop, and I need some advice. I've already decided that I'm getting a baldor, so the question of brand is decided. What I can't decide on is the type of wheel guard I want.

Should I get one that has enclosed wheel guards like this one:
http://www.baldor.com/products/detail.asp?1=1&page=1&catalogonly=1&catalog=612R&product=Grinders%2FBuffers&family=Grinders|vw_GrindBuff_Grinders

Or should I get one that can be connected to a vacuum system like this one:
http://www.baldor.com/products/detail.asp?1=1&page=1&catalogonly=1&catalog=600RE&product=Grinders%2FBuffers&family=Grinders|vw_GrindBuff_Grinders#

I'm trying to imagine the advantages of one over another, but since I've never had one in my garage before, it's a little hard to decide which is right for me. I know this might be a silly detail to be concerned about, but I don't want to buy something I expect to own/use the rest of my life then find out I should have gotten something different. Any advice or suggestions you have would be great!

 

[Davefr]

If you're doing production work get the exhaust setup.

If it's occasional work get the std. guards.

 

[drivesitfar]

sounds like you picked the best brand by picking Baldor. now the rest depends how you are going to use it. Dave is right on unless you are one of those guys that can eat off his garage floor then buy the one with the enclosed system which is a little cleaner.

I have had grinders for light homeowner type grinding for over 40 years now and never ever thought of buying an enclosed system. I own and have owned several Baldor grinders too which have yet to fail me.

your main concern should be the size of the wheels, which type of wheels and how thick are best for your needs, Horsepower and RPM specs. most guys can get buy with just a 6 inch wheel and a grinding wheel on one side and a wire wheel of some sort on the other side. they are not impossible to change so having a few extra wheels for different work is a good idea.

we can help more if you give more details and even though you are spending a lot of money on the first one there is always an option you might need later so don't try to get all the bells and whistles on the first try and then not end up using them. 2 grinders in a shop/garage is not unheard of and some guys have more so they don't have to change wheels. a buffer is an option if you might be planning on needing one, but without any guards for grinding or wire wheeling it might not be for everyone as their main and only grinder.

good luck

 

[A_Pmech]

I would buy the grinder with the exhaust guards, it's $40 cheaper. Nothing says you have to use them with an exhaust system and on a grinder that small I wouldn't bother.

 

[Duck tape Bill]

your main concern should be the size of the wheels, which type of wheels and how thick are best for your needs, Horsepower and RPM specs. most guys can get buy with just a 6 inch wheel and a grinding wheel on one side and a wire wheel of some sort on the other side. they are not impossible to change so having a few extra wheels for different work is a good idea.

we can help more if you give more details

...Yea, this isn't going to be something I use every day, but it will get a fair amount of use. I figured I would likely have one grinding wheel, and one wire wheel 99% of the time.

I would buy the grinder with the exhaust guards, it's $40 cheaper. Nothing says you have to use them with an exhaust system and on a grinder that small I wouldn't bother.

...very good point! I could always try it hooked to a vac, and if that causes too much trouble, just close off the exhaust holes somehow.

 

[shamrock12]

Most of Baldor grinders, especially the larger models, come standard with exhaust shields. Even with the regular shields, the work area is still going to get dusty. I would select the one with exhaust for a couple reasons: it's cheaper and you can hook up your vac to it anytime.

 

[drivesitfar]

another nice option are the baldor shields with lights in them. they are a little spendy so if you choose that option I have a like new pair sitting on a shelf i'll give you for 50% off if you pay the shipping. I had them on a 7 inch Baldor that I sold to a young guy that didn't need them and when I upgraded to my Baldor Buffer they don't have a place to mount on it.

I don't mind keeping because i'm still thinking of getting an 8 inch Baldor to have a few more wheels at the ready for my projects. the bigger wheels are a little more spendy, but you might like the extra room for your projects.

 

[Outlawmws]

...Yea, this isn't going to be something I use every day, but it will get a fair amount of use. I figured I would likely have one grinding wheel, and one wire wheel 99% of the time.


...very good point! I could always try it hooked to a vac, and if that causes too much trouble, just close off the exhaust holes somehow.

DO get the exhaust model and DON'T plug it even if toy don't hook a vac to it. Grinding/Wire-wheeling is MESSY work, so getting the debris in the main direction of thrust is a good thing.

Even if you don't hook up a vac, you can setup a deflector into a waste can and capture most of it before it's all over the shop.