RAS61
Well-known member
There's one local for pretty cheap, but only interested if it's a quality tool
Is the B&D 5" 7900 Bench Grinder any good?
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neophyte
Well-known member
I wouldn't pay much for it, since 5” grinders are highly limited in what they can do.
5” grinders were mostly used for small wire wheeling, or for sharpening jigs, like some of the systems Foley Belsaw makes/made.
The size is still used for scossor sharpening units, but those typically come with a grinder.
Black and Decker stuff from when those grinders were made was usually durable, but far from the highest tech or quality levels.
5” grinders were mostly used for small wire wheeling, or for sharpening jigs, like some of the systems Foley Belsaw makes/made.
The size is still used for scossor sharpening units, but those typically come with a grinder.
Black and Decker stuff from when those grinders were made was usually durable, but far from the highest tech or quality levels.
Shiftless
Well-known member
This being Garage Journal some guys will insist that anything less than a 1 HP Baldor with 8 inch stones is not worth bringing home.
Whether or not that little grinder will be good for you depends entirely on what you need a grinder to do. If it runs OK and doesn’t bog down under a small load go ahead and buy it. Personally, I wouldn’t pay over $20 even if I had a good use for it. If you buy it, make sure it has the tool rests and the eye guards in place. Grinders can be dangerous.
I have a half horse Craftsman block grinder with 6 inch stones and it does everything I ask it to do.
Whether or not that little grinder will be good for you depends entirely on what you need a grinder to do. If it runs OK and doesn’t bog down under a small load go ahead and buy it. Personally, I wouldn’t pay over $20 even if I had a good use for it. If you buy it, make sure it has the tool rests and the eye guards in place. Grinders can be dangerous.
I have a half horse Craftsman block grinder with 6 inch stones and it does everything I ask it to do.
seber
Well-known member
Just consider that it will not do any serious grinding. I can't imagine using a wire wheel with so little power. If all you need is a tool sharpener, it should work. But remember that you will outgrow it tomorrow and be looking for something more serious.
B&D 7900 is has a shaded-pole motor, such as found in small fans and old phonographs---will barely sharpen a screwdriver tip let alone work with a wire wheel. The shafts run on bushings, not ball bearings, and no oil ports. No point is even considering it since any imported grinder from HF/Walmart/Menards will have significantly better performance.
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That's like asking is a 1/4" ratchet a quality tool. Given the right task, I love these little grinders for detail work. They're small and lightweight and perform just fine. They do not do serious work and do not replace larger grinders. They supplement your grinding fleet and fit somewhere between a Dremel/Foredom and 6-8" floor stand machine. I'm sure not tossing my little guy. I don't use it often but when I do, it's great for it's intended purpose.