help me identify a bench grinder
- Thread starter riggs1117
- Start date
jakemac
Well-known member
Blowing up the picture, it looks like the label says "Wilton" ?????
Not Wilton. It was made by Wissota. Very good quality.
Ah man, there was a Wissota bench grinder (I don't remember if it was 8 or 10") that had "Wissota" written vertically down the front of it, for $75 on CL awhile back. I passed it up because I didn't recognize the name.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Probably made by Wissota for Wilton.
This ^^^
I wasn't aware that Wilton ever sold a grinder like that, but it was definitely made by Wissota. Probably a Wissota model W-11, and vintage is most likely somewhere between mid-70s and mid-80s. There may be a date code on it, and Wilton may have used their own model number instead of Wissota's.
Wissota made grinders for several well-known machine brands, including Delta, Dayton/Grainger, Milwaukee, Snap-On/Blue-Point, and now we can see they did for Wilton too.
Just picked it up and brought it home. Its a Wilton 1/3 hp. seems to have some vibration so I'll likely replace the bearings inside. Its missing a side cover and tool rest on the wire wheel side, not sure if I'll have to make a new one or if I can order replacements. Model 152A. Heres some pictures, and next to my Baldor 1/2 HP.
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454ragtop
Well-known member
Vibration is probably grinding wheel out of balance. Might try dressing it before pulling it apart for bearings. I once got a POS Asian grinder a guy was throwing out because it had too much vibration. Spent a couple minutes dressing the wheels, smoothed out, sold it at the next swap meet.
Jim
Jim
Outlawmws
Well-known member
This ^^^ Pull both wheels off and I'd lay long odds it's smooth as silk...
Yours isn't a clone; it was actually made by Wissota for Wilton. The "W6-9" in the serial number space on the nameplate is probably a manufacturing code for Wissota. Milwaukee did a W-code thing similar to that on the Milwaukee-badged grinders that were actually made for them by Wissota.
Even though they stopped making bench grinders a few years ago, Wissota still supplies parts and support for many of the grinder models they made.
The vibration is likely at least partially due to an unbalanced wire wheel or the grinding wheel, but changing the bearings is a good idea anyway and easy to do. You'll still need to deal with the balance problem to get rid of the vibration.
If you're going to keep a wire wheel on one side, I'd suggest not worrying about the missing side cover and tool rest. Using a wire wheel with a tool rest and completely enclosed wheel isn't the best idea, nor does it give you maximum flexibility in the use of the wire wheel.
That's what I meant by clone. Its got the same made in USA sticker as the Wissota. I plan on taking the covers off anyways and just using a wire wheel and buffing wheel as I have the Baldor for grinding. I sent an email to Wissota about replacement parts anyways. Looks like the pedestal stand is worth the $70 I paid for this. I think the guy I bought it off of was a drug addict. He was about 6'4" 150 lbs and didn't know anything about this or remember where he got it. Oh well
bob15
Well-known member
Just because he is clueless about something doesn't make him an drug addict. I have a ton of stuff that i cannot remember where it came from, let alone it's shape.
Think I can remember where all these parts saws came from, or if they run (some still do)? I've only now started labeling stuff......
that may have a wilton badge but was definitely made by wissota can you post a pic of the whole grinder with the stand i have only seen one wissota on a stand like on my milwaukee made by wissota does your stand look like this one, I don;t know how much detail you can see in my pic with it being a thumbnail but from the center post at base to each corner of bottom plate there is a slight crease in base plate i have only seen one other and it was on a wissota the same color as yours
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Bob, I'm just assuming he was a drug addict by the condition of his home and person. I deal with drug addicts regularly at work, I guess maybe im quick to judge. Almost seemed like he was avoiding conversation about the grinder like he stole it from someone or it wasn't his to sell.
Ted heres some better photos of the pedestal
Ted heres some better photos of the pedestal
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
Just because he is clueless about something doesn't make him an drug addict. I have a ton of stuff that i cannot remember where it came from, let alone it's shape.
Think I can remember where all these parts saws came from, or if they run (some still do)? I've only now started labeling stuff......
Bob your pic doesn't work.