Mulwaukee Bench Grinder 5051 Resto

[dogzbody1]

Hi

Following the enthusiasm of this forum I purchased a Milwaukee bench grinder for restoration. Its super cool and supper heavy but is missing a fair number of pieces that I thought would be easy to find - not so!

Does anyone have a source of parts for old grinders? I've been watching CL for donors but have yet to see another. If I can get a source of parts I'll post a before, during and after phots but am reluctant to start without all the bits.

Thanks for any leads!
Steve

 

[exmaxima1]

There are a number of Milwaukee 5051 grinders, so a pic would be most helpful. If your grinder has an integral quench tray cast into the base, you have a Wissota grinder. And fortunately, you may be able to buy parts directly from them. Wissota also made the same grinder for Wilton, Dayton, Bluepoint, and others so you should be able to find a donor for most any part.

I attached a pic of a Wissota-made version to illustrate the quench tray (not mine). I do own a 10-inch and 7-inch, so I am familiar with them.

 

[dogzbody1]

Thank you for your response, mine looks like the one you show, here is an image.

https://s28.postimg.org/psnohb859/IMG_0655.jpg

I contacted Wissota and they told me that they only make skate sharpeners and have no parts inventory. Perhaps watching CL for 8 inch grinders rather than Milwaukee grinders is the key?

Steve

 

[crab]

looks pretty good, does it run ?

 

[dogzbody1]

Surprisingly it does, takes forever to spin down so I'm guessing the bearings are pretty good.

 

[crab]

Well I don't see any problem here, clean it up, maybe paint it and use it ! If it ain't broke don't fix it .

 

[exmaxima1]

Well I don't see any problem here, clean it up, maybe paint it and use it ! If it ain't broke don't fix it .

+1
It doesn't look to be missing anything vital. You don't need the missing eyeshields, as you should wear a mask anyway. And the missing spark arrestors are easy to fab---I attached a pic of what I use to replace the original tapered versions.

What I find very interesting is the power rating of that grinder: I think it's very optimistic. It's rated at 3/4hp, yet the amperage is only 4.4 amps. My 1/2hp Milwaukee draws 4 amps, so how did they come up with 50% more power with only 10% more current? My 1hp Milwaukee draws 8.4 amps, roughly twice what my 1/2hp grinder draws, so that makes sense...???

 

[454ragtop]

Probably going to need a new grinding wheel, that one is loaded up with aluminum. Don't try to grind aluminum, it just ruins the stone. I realize you probably didn't use it for that, just for future reference. Might be able to dress it, but it looks really loaded up. Rule of thumb is, if it doesn't make sparks, don't grind it, use a sander.

 

[6PTsocket]

+1
It doesn't look to be missing anything vital. You don't need the missing eyeshields, as you should wear a mask anyway. And the missing spark arrestors are easy to fab---I attached a pic of what I use to replace the original tapered versions.

What I find very interesting is the power rating of that grinder: I think it's very optimistic. It's rated at 3/4hp, yet the amperage is only 4.4 amps. My 1/2hp Milwaukee draws 4 amps, so how did they come up with 50% more power with only 10% more current? My 1hp Milwaukee draws 8.4 amps, roughly twice what my 1/2hp grinder draws, so that makes sense...???

Good point. Hp ratings have been hocus pocus with many companies. That is why the current rating is a better means of comparison. There is a formula of around 750 watts equal 1 hp. I would just go by current and allow for the fact that cheap motors are less efficient so 4 amps on a Baldor is worth more than the same current on one from Uncle Mao's Dollar Store.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[6PTsocket]

Probably going to need a new grinding wheel, that one is loaded up with aluminum. Don't try to grind aluminum, it just ruins the stone. I realize you probably didn't use it for that, just for future reference. Might be able to dress it, but it looks really loaded up. Rule of thumb is, if it doesn't make sparks, don't grind it, use a sander.

We had idiots at work that ground aluminum in spite of repeated orders not to. I removed it many times. Even if it is a solid layer the dresser will take it off. Wear eye protection and a dust mask. It can make a mess

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[exmaxima1]

Rule of thumb is, if it doesn't make sparks, don't grind it, use a sander.

Good point, and one of the reasons I no longer grind gold....