Is this bench grinder worth the money?

[Bennylava]

Do you guys think that this bench grinder is worth the money?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Craftsman-V...600160?hash=item2ca25d89e0:g:y7AAAOSwWnFWCJX~

Its 1/5 hp, and I'm leaning towards "no". But as I'm sure you've all noticed, lately in the last 5 years or so everything has taken a massive price hike. I'm looking for a good quality bench grinder that I'm not going to be able to "slow down". I don't know if I could slow down a 1/5 hp bench grinder, but it sounds like I could.

I'm self employed, operating a small used car business from my house. Basically I buy broken cars and fix them. Usually with engine and/or transmission troubles. And having a bench grinder is vital. I use the cleaning wheel on one side, grinding wheel on the other side. That setup.

Anyway, that seems like an awful lot for a 1/5 hp grinder. I do like that its variable speed, and I do like the light that's mounted to it. I believe that those half hp 8" grinders may be a bit too beastly for my purposes. Which grinder would you guys recommend?

It seems like you get a good deal more power for your money with this one. But no variable speed and no lights:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000224J3/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Davefr]

Do you guys think that this bench grinder is worth the money?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Craftsman-V...600160?hash=item2ca25d89e0:g:y7AAAOSwWnFWCJX~

Its 1/5 hp, and I'm leaning towards "no". But as I'm sure you've all noticed, lately in the last 5 years or so everything has taken a massive price hike. I'm looking for a good quality bench grinder that I'm not going to be able to "slow down". I don't know if I could slow down a 1/5 hp bench grinder, but it sounds like I could.

I'm self employed, operating a small used car business from my house. Basically I buy broken cars and fix them. Usually with engine and/or transmission troubles. And having a bench grinder is vital. I use the cleaning wheel on one side, grinding wheel on the other side. That setup.

Anyway, that seems like an awful lot for a 1/5 hp grinder. I do like that its variable speed, and I do like the light that's mounted to it. I believe that those half hp 8" grinders may be a bit too beastly for my purposes. Which grinder would you guys recommend?

It seems like you get a good deal more power for your money with this one. But no variable speed and no lights:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000224J3/?tag=atomicindus08-20

NOOO!!!

2 amps is a joke for a 6" grinder. You should look for >3.5 amps.

PM me if you're interested in used grinders. I have a couple that are superior to this "toy".

 

[PelicanPines]

I have that craftsman grinder... it's not worth $75.

 

[Bennylava]

Well how about this one? I know I said 6", but its looking like I might have to go with an 8" just to get decent horsepower. I do need to put some pressure on it, after all. Not a ton, but a fair bit. I'd just like it to be 6" cause they're a little smaller.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/281597362205?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT


Found a 1/2 hp one, but its off brand and probably chinese:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DUAL-WORK-L...595163?hash=item2ee839c2db:g:NmUAAOSw8d9UwWdI

 

[PelicanPines]

Well how about this one? I know I said 6", but its looking like I might have to go with an 8" just to get decent horsepower. I do need to put some pressure on it, after all. Not a ton, but a fair bit. I'd just like it to be 6" cause they're a little smaller.

3.5amp 6" grinders seem to be in very short supply.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/281597362205?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

5 amp for that 8" looks nice... Delta makes a 6" in a 2.5 amp... I would pass on the 6". Kinda like the 5 amp idea at 8" found it on amazon for the same price

 

[Davefr]

Well how about this one?

If you want new, then get a Jet. They're very powerful for their size.

The 6" is 5 amps and the 8" is 8 amps. (ignore any HP claims and only look at amps).

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004T9KV/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00004T9KV/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Or get a used Jet when they were made in Taiwan.

 

[cheechi]

No I would not buy that grinder. Nowadays, any bench grinder you buy is going to be a POS if it's new. Maybe you can find an exception to that other than Baldor. I haven't yet.

Side note: If you're going to buy a new bench grinder in the kind of price and feature range, you may as well just **** it up and get a HF 8". You going to find nearly all of them are exactly the same machine I have found the 8" ones are too expensive and the 6" ones too weak. You can still stop the HF 8" one but its usable, moreso than the 6" ones you'll find.

Delta makes a 6" in a 2.5 amp... I would pass on the 6".

Yep, I'm currently trying to dump a Delta just like that, now that I have a good one to replace it. Wimptastic.

 

[Fordman7795]

Id go with an older usa made craftsman 1/3 or 1/2 grinder. They are pretty easy to find. I use the heck out of my 1/3hp.

 

[Bennylava]

Yep, I'm currently trying to dump a Delta just like that, now that I have a good one to replace it. Wimptastic.

I used to use a grinder bought in 1999 (I was using it in '08) that was almost enough for what I'm doing. I could slow it down if I really put the pressure on it. And it was just one of these little 2.8amp grinders. Nothing special, probably made in china. From the specs it looks like that delta has it beat pretty well. So what was the problem with the delta?

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you want to sharpen knives get a 1-2" bench top belt sander. The one from HF is not bad for the price. Use fine grit sanding belts.

 

[markbugno]

I have a 6" dewalt, it does a fine job. Sure, you can stop it... If you jam a wrench against the wheel super hard like an idiot. I clean and grind plenty of tools and parts on it. I paid around 100-120 new a couple years ago. I'm satisfied with it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[P51Boilermaker]

First problem with this one, it's a Craftsman.

I had a Craftsman "professional" series palm sander from ~2007 and the bearing blew itself out with minimal use in 2010. No problem right? Just replace the bearing. Except Sears will sell you every part for that sander EXCEPT the part that wears out the fastest, the bearing. Sure I could waste my time and measure it and order one from somewhere else but I chose to go with another brand. Screw Craftsman power tools.

 

[justtools]

Search craigslist and find a USA made grinder. I like a 7 or 8 inch. You will not slow up a baldor with normal use. I use a 8 and 10 inch daily and they are not bolted to the bench and they do not go anywhere. I got a 8" craftsman pro grinder. Do not know why. that thing came with a Stand and vibrated like crazy even without the wheels on it. Down the road it went. Life is to short to be pissed at the performance of lousy tools. I forget what I paid for something a week after I got it, Much better than being upset over how it works everytime you use it. Good luck on your decision. A 6 to 8 inch baldor used around here goes from 100 to 250 and worth every penny.

 

[cheechi]

So what was the problem with the delta?

Put a flap disc or a wire wheel on it and you will have more stop than go. Just cleaning off some rusty bolts & nuts is a 20 minute exercise in patience. Best thing about that Delta is the lamp.

Its replacement is a 1/2 HP block and its night and day with similar amps.

 

[tarbellb]

Whats your budget?

Personally if you cant find something decent on CL then I would head to HF and grab one. That or shop Grizzly.com, but w/ shipping it might get expensive.

 

[Tsquare]

Do you guys think that this bench grinder is worth the money?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Craftsman-V...600160?hash=item2ca25d89e0:g:y7AAAOSwWnFWCJX~

Its 1/5 hp, and I'm leaning towards "no". But as I'm sure you've all noticed, lately in the last 5 years or so everything has taken a massive price hike. I'm looking for a good quality bench grinder that I'm not going to be able to "slow down". I don't know if I could slow down a 1/5 hp bench grinder, but it sounds like I could.

I'm self employed, operating a small used car business from my house. Basically I buy broken cars and fix them. Usually with engine and/or transmission troubles. And having a bench grinder is vital. I use the cleaning wheel on one side, grinding wheel on the other side. That setup.

Anyway, that seems like an awful lot for a 1/5 hp grinder. I do like that its variable speed, and I do like the light that's mounted to it. I believe that those half hp 8" grinders may be a bit too beastly for my purposes. Which grinder would you guys recommend?

It seems like you get a good deal more power for your money with this one. But no variable speed and no lights:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000224J3/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have the 6" Craftsman bench grinder you are asking about. I was able to get it on sale for $62.00 two years ago after Xmas sale. I wouldn't pay much more than that for the bench grinder. I took off the grinding stone and added another wire wheel ( fine wire) to compliment the heavier wire wheel that comes on the grinder. I like the variable speed when wire wheeling, but have to agree with previous posts, it bogs down, especially at lower speeds, but for $60.00 It does the job.
I have an older (late sixties - see photo) Craftsman Industrial 1/2 hp - 7" wheels bench grinder - that I use for my grinding needs.

 

[pendragon1998]

I wouldn't touch that grinder in post #1 for $25. Far better would be to locate a vintage block grinder. I got one with a stand for $60. I cleaned mine all up, but it was still in good enough shape to work for a while longer (though it appreciated a new cord and bearings).

 

[redmondjp]

I have an older (late sixties - see photo) Craftsman Industrial 1/2 hp - 7" wheels bench grinder - that I use for my grinding needs.

I have that exact same grinder that I inherited from my grandfather's estate in 1990. It still works great and takes a couple of minutes to slowly spin down. I'll probably pass it onto my son when I go!

 

[Bennylava]

Anyone else notice there seems to be a serious lack of 3.5amp and above grinders? For a decent price I mean.

 

[WWShop]

I'm with everyone else on finding a Craftsman block grinder on CL. I've seen a lot of them on CL lately. Also, if you can find a 1/4 hp Craftsman pre block those things have a lot of power too.

 

[Bennylava]

Well I got my Jet from DaveFr, seems to work great! You can feel that this thing is powerful. Did you have any hoses hooked up to the back Dave? To catch the particles. Think I'm going to tie off some little bags on there or something. Help keep the shop clean.

 

[Bennylava]

 

[dodge610]

Does it have exhaust chutes on it.

 

[Bennylava]

On the back, not visible in the pics. Gonna get some of those little cloth bags like you see on sanders.

 

[dodge610]

On the back, not visible in the pics. Gonna get some of those little cloth bags like you see on sanders.

Keep in mind hot embers that come off grinding wheels. Do not wanna see you catch a little bag on fire.

 

[Bennylava]

Hmm good point. I'll get some asbestos dust to put inside the bags






Maybe I can get some fire retardant cloth to use as/make into bags. Seem to remember grand pappy having some of that stuff... I'll have to ask.

 

[wagon]

get a Baldor. They're a couple hundred for a 6", new.

Seriously way better than anything Chinese or whatever.

If you want a cheap one, just go grab a Skil bench grinder at Lowe's for $44.

 

[Bennylava]

I bought the Jet in that pic from Dave. Unfortunately lowes didn't have anything close to that powerful. They still make that model of Jet and its a $220 grinder.

I thought about just getting a cheapo grinder, as I've used one for a long time (wasn't mine) and I was only ever able to slow it down a few times and I was probably misusing it. But I figured why not get a strong one if I can get it used on the cheap. Thanks again dave