New Jet 8" bench grinder = disappointment

[GarageEnvy]

OK, First of all I'm a little reluctant to get on the internet and bash a product so I debated about posting this. But there's issues here that are just not acceptable to me.

I know a bunch of you will say, "You should have got a Baldor" or an old vintage Craftsman block grinder. Well I haven't been able to find a deal on those and I've been w/o a grinder for over a year. Now I need one so I bought the Jet 8" grinder. I was told (and read on several forums) that of the imports Jet made a decent grinder. The skinny was to get the 8" because the 6" was made in China. Supposedly old gray color was Taiwan and new white and black equal China. So the new 8" arrives and its white and black and made in China.

The Good
Right side wheel is pretty true and castings are all good.
Northern Tool was very helpful in authorizing a return and placing a note on the order to only ship a "Made in Taiwan" model.

The bad (and ugly too)
The left wheel isn't even close to true. You can barely get the tool rest within an 1/8" without scraping. So yes, there's vibration.
Almost nothing on the left casting is square. The top opening, the way the tool rest sits, the way it mounts to the motor......all crooked. I tried removing the guard to see if I could reposition it. No dice. Heck the left and right tool rests aren't even remotely at the same height. The dust chutes on the guards are at two different angles. Even the switch wasn't installed straight.

My father gave me a HF Bench grinder about 2 years ago. He claimed he had picked it up at the sidewalk sale. It had lots of vibration and after about 90 minutes of use it actually snapped off its base and fell off the pedestal. Frankly, this $200 (with $50 off coupon) one isn't a whole lot better.

I'll repost when the replacement arrives. Maybe this one was the exception. I hope that's the case and I can post a glowing review praising the replacement.

Before the Made in USA crowd starts bashing me....I hear ya, I know and I wish I could drop $700+ on a new Baldor. But for my infrequent home/hobby use, I can't justify it. And honestly for that price I would have ordered the Jet with the multitool belt attachment and still been money ahead. Plus I've got some other Taiwanese stuff (DP, metal and wood bandsaws) and they've been pretty good to me so far.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Did you try repositioning the wheels to reduce the vibration? I've never had a good grinder, but I always have to jack around with the wheels to get as close as I can to zero runout before they run smoothly.
I'm talking about the clearance between the wheel bore and the arbor.

 

[Outlawmws]

Did you try repositioning the wheels to reduce the vibration? I've never had a good grinder, but I always have to jack around with the wheels to get as close as I can to zero runout before they run smoothly.
I'm talking about the clearance between the wheel bore and the arbor.

There shouldn't be any significant clearance between the shaft and bore. If there is, the bore needs one of those plastic spacers and the fit should be slip fit to tight.

If there is any runnout on the outer edge, use a wheel dresser to get the thing concentric. If the is ANY side to side movement, throw the wheel away as it's an accident waiting to happen...

All this assumes the grinder shaft itself is running true...

 

[GarageEnvy]

I messed with the wheel for about 5 minutes. I used a reference line across the nut, washer and wheel before removing it. I would have just replaced it with a decent wheel if I hadn't been sending it back. Not much point in fiddling with it more since it's headed back.

One other thing I forgot to mention was the mounting bolts. I used bolts from the top down that were barely long enough to get all the threads of a nut on after going through 1/8" metal. They wouldn't clear the motor. I had to dremel a slight amount to even get the bolts in. The alternative would be to bolt from the bottom up with the nut on top.

Outlaw, I did run it w/o the wheel. The shaft was true. Initially, I had hoped to have the wheel guard castings replaced w/o having to send the whole thing back. Those parts were on backorder so it's a full exchange. If I do end up with the same quality on the replacement, it's going back too.

 

[buening]

That *****. If you end up still looking for a grinder, keep an eye on CL/Ebay/Gov Auction for an old 3ph pedestal grinder in your area. Most don't want them since they don't have 3ph service, so you can sometimes get them for a song. Slap an $80 or so VFD and you now have a variable speed HD grinder for a price similar to your junk Jet

 

[GarageEnvy]

I get what you're saying about getting an old battleship but for my use that's not convenient. I am actually wall mounting this one. My welding cart slides underneath it. My very basic uses are sharpening things and deburring or cleaning up a rough edge. It's pretty rare for me to do any serious metal shaping with it. My plan was to place two of these grinders back to back on the wall stand. I passed up a big 3ph 12" monster on CL a month ago because I wasn't looking to make a project out of a bench grinder and it was so much more than what I wanted or needed.

 

[buening]

Ah, didn't realize that. There is an older 3/4hp 7" Craftsman on ebay right now for $125, in case you are interested.

 

[1982fxr]

That *****. I bought a Skil 6" from Lowe's about a year or so ago and think it ***** too. China, of course. No way I could afford a Baldor and couldn't find a block grinder, so sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do. I know I did. I feel your pain, if it's a piece of **** then it's a piece of ****, i say post up and maybe save others from the same thing.

 

[MrMark]

I was looking on Amazon and at least some Baldors are about 250? About what you paid.

Maybe they are not as big, but is that some show stopper for you? Why not just get a smaller 250 Baldor?

 

[JasonW]

Sorry to hear that about Jet. I keep hoping that somebody will hold the line on quality for the small shop home shop users.

How much more would it have cost to have done it right? I tend to think it is about training and expectation more than cost.

 

[EOC_Jason]

I have a Dayton (from Grainger) and I can't complain... Of course I don't know how the models of today compare to the ones from 10 years ago...

 

[GarageEnvy]

I gave that Dayton idea some thought. My father has an old Dayton on a pedestal and it's never failed. It has to be 30+ years old. Unfortunately all the Daytons I saw listed the COO as China. They do have an 8" 3/4hp model for $253. It's really only 1 amp less draw than the Jet lists for their 1hp model.

As decisions go, I thought the 1hp Taiwanese model for $200 was a better buy than the 3/4hp Chinese model. We'll see what the replacement looks like.

I also considered a 6" Baldor unit. It would probably work for my usage but I had a decent set of 8" wheels so I was leaning that way. Also I believe that if I ever wanted to add the multitool attachment I'd need the 8" size. The Baldor unit similar in price is a 1/3hp 6" model. Of course, everything probably isn't jacked up with it either.

 

[Andybull]

Next time go to a machinery auction. I currently have 6.

 

[Provincial]

Sorry to hear of your problems. I bought an 8" Jet from the local welding supply about ten years ago and it held up well to the "test to destruction" employees I had working in my shop. They couldn't kill it in the five years before I sold the business. I

It took a while to get up to speed when starting, but once at full speed it was very resistant to slowing down. I mean VERY resistant. I was really amazed at the amount of power it had. It was the Taiwan model, and I hope you get one like it.

I picked up an 8" Jet BG-8 grinder in like new condition at a local flea market. It was made in 1979 and is blue. It has no COO, but may have been made in Japan or Taiwan. It performs just like the one I bought new. I had to give $50.00 for it, complete with one green 1" wide stone for grinding carbide tool bits, and a 3/4" wide standard stone on the other side. These deals are out there if you can wait.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Forgot to mention I was looking at the Jet too, I have a little 6" that I have a wire wheel on and a fine stone. It does okay with the fine stone because I'm just barely grinding material, but when I really get on it with the wire wheel I can stop the darn thing! The 8" Dayton has stones on both, covers, etc... I really don't want to take it apart to change wheels... So I'm trying to find a good 8" that I can put a wire wheel and cloth buffing wheel... But darn it I want one that will keep on spinning!!! I've been trying to watch CL and some local auctions, but nothing has come up yet...

 

[RCStocker]

Sorry to hear that about Jet. I keep hoping that somebody will hold the line on quality for the small shop home shop users.

How much more would it have cost to have done it right? I tend to think it is about training and expectation more than cost.

Jet is not just for home shop. It is an industrial grinder. I have 9 grinders 5 buffers and 4 different drill shaprners. I also have 3 different carbide grinders.

I have had a Jet grinder for 10 years and thre is noting wroing with it.
Half of what is wroing in your mind has nothing to do with the grinder. The wheels they put on and ship have nothing to do with the grinder.
As far as the bolts. If they reach the bottom of the threads that is all that is needed. I have no clue as to what your complaint is witht the 2 tool post being the same height. That does not matter at all. If the casting are that far out of square then they were bround wrong. Turn in the grinder for a new one.

All wheels need dressing. My be it the problem is with the user and not the girnder. I own 7 jet machines and I like them all better than my Delta machinery. They all run smooth.

They through cheap wheels on the grinders and my bet is that if you change out the wheels things will be fine. By the way I have 4 Balder grinders and buffers. I have a 10 inch Balder grinder. I paid $165 for it used on the stand. It is great but I seldom use it because it is too large for any of my needs.

I have high speed, slow speed, Vary speed and I have them in all brands. My Grizzly Buffers will trun with more force applyed than my Balder buffers. I use them the same and have been doing so for 10 years. The small Grizzly buffers are as good as my Balder.

If all else fails pay attention and leanr how to dress a wheel. When done properly I can sharpen any drill bit at any angle by hand. It takes practice but it is not all that hard. I have drill bit sharpeners but I never use them on anything under a 1/2" drill bit.

Check the shaft with an indicator. I am sure it is dead on. The end castings that cover the wheel have nothing to do with grinding or how the tool rest sets up. The tool rest might be bet. They don't need to be the same height. I only use them when I am putting and edge on a shovel. LOL I don't even use the ****** gards. I ware safty glasses. the gards get in the way and you can't see.

So the bottom line?? Is What?? Our of round Wheel. They all come that way. Get a good not a HF wheel dresser and fix the ****** problem

Sorry but Jet makes good machines. They wond Wilton vice and Wilton Milling and lathe. They make a great 14 inch metal/wood band saw. I also own one of them. I have 5 band saws. I know tools and everytime I have though something was wrong it was me and not the tool or machine.

 

[JASTECH]

That's why I buy used american grinders.

 

[TireTracks]

Hell, my $30 Made in china Offbrand grinder had Wheels that where -Dead on- perfectly ballanced right out of the box. No vibration, it just hums.

 

[MrMark]

Jet is not just for home shop. It is an industrial grinder. I have 9 grinders 5 buffers and 4 different drill shaprners. I also have 3 different carbide grinders.

I have had a Jet grinder for 10 years and thre is noting wroing with it.
Half of what is wroing in your mind has nothing to do with the grinder. The wheels they put on and ship have nothing to do with the grinder.
As far as the bolts. If they reach the bottom of the threads that is all that is needed. I have no clue as to what your complaint is witht the 2 tool post being the same height. That does not matter at all. If the casting are that far out of square then they were bround wrong. Turn in the grinder for a new one.

All wheels need dressing. My be it the problem is with the user and not the girnder. I own 7 jet machines and I like them all better than my Delta machinery. They all run smooth.

They through cheap wheels on the grinders and my bet is that if you change out the wheels things will be fine. By the way I have 4 Balder grinders and buffers. I have a 10 inch Balder grinder. I paid $165 for it used on the stand. It is great but I seldom use it because it is too large for any of my needs.

I have high speed, slow speed, Vary speed and I have them in all brands. My Grizzly Buffers will trun with more force applyed than my Balder buffers. I use them the same and have been doing so for 10 years. The small Grizzly buffers are as good as my Balder.

If all else fails pay attention and leanr how to dress a wheel. When done properly I can sharpen any drill bit at any angle by hand. It takes practice but it is not all that hard. I have drill bit sharpeners but I never use them on anything under a 1/2" drill bit.

Check the shaft with an indicator. I am sure it is dead on. The end castings that cover the wheel have nothing to do with grinding or how the tool rest sets up. The tool rest might be bet. They don't need to be the same height. I only use them when I am putting and edge on a shovel. LOL I don't even use the ****** gards. I ware safty glasses. the gards get in the way and you can't see.

So the bottom line?? Is What?? Our of round Wheel. They all come that way. Get a good not a HF wheel dresser and fix the ****** problem

Sorry but Jet makes good machines. They wond Wilton vice and Wilton Milling and lathe. They make a great 14 inch metal/wood band saw. I also own one of them. I have 5 band saws. I know tools and everytime I have though something was wrong it was me and not the tool or machine.

Is this you, Mr. Holeshot?

 

[Jim C.]

Jet is not just for home shop. It is an industrial grinder. I have 9 grinders 5 buffers and 4 different drill shaprners. I also have 3 different carbide grinders.

I have had a Jet grinder for 10 years and thre is noting wroing with it.
Half of what is wroing in your mind has nothing to do with the grinder. The wheels they put on and ship have nothing to do with the grinder.
As far as the bolts. If they reach the bottom of the threads that is all that is needed. I have no clue as to what your complaint is witht the 2 tool post being the same height. That does not matter at all. If the casting are that far out of square then they were bround wrong. Turn in the grinder for a new one.

All wheels need dressing. My be it the problem is with the user and not the girnder. I own 7 jet machines and I like them all better than my Delta machinery. They all run smooth.

They through cheap wheels on the grinders and my bet is that if you change out the wheels things will be fine. By the way I have 4 Balder grinders and buffers. I have a 10 inch Balder grinder. I paid $165 for it used on the stand. It is great but I seldom use it because it is too large for any of my needs.

I have high speed, slow speed, Vary speed and I have them in all brands. My Grizzly Buffers will trun with more force applyed than my Balder buffers. I use them the same and have been doing so for 10 years. The small Grizzly buffers are as good as my Balder.

If all else fails pay attention and leanr how to dress a wheel. When done properly I can sharpen any drill bit at any angle by hand. It takes practice but it is not all that hard. I have drill bit sharpeners but I never use them on anything under a 1/2" drill bit.

Check the shaft with an indicator. I am sure it is dead on. The end castings that cover the wheel have nothing to do with grinding or how the tool rest sets up. The tool rest might be bet. They don't need to be the same height. I only use them when I am putting and edge on a shovel. LOL I don't even use the ****** gards. I ware safty glasses. the gards get in the way and you can't see.

So the bottom line?? Is What?? Our of round Wheel. They all come that way. Get a good not a HF wheel dresser and fix the ****** problem

Sorry but Jet makes good machines. They wond Wilton vice and Wilton Milling and lathe. They make a great 14 inch metal/wood band saw. I also own one of them. I have 5 band saws. I know tools and everytime I have though something was wrong it was me and not the tool or machine.

Yet another absolute gem!

 

[GarageEnvy]

Yeah, I'm not going to bother going back over it with RCStocker either. If he didn't get it the first time, it's probably not worth the effort.

Tiretracks - that's sort of my point. As someone else said in one of the Craftsman rants, "If you're going to buy cheap Chinese tools, at least pay the right price."

Hopefully this is just a bad apple and the replacement doesn't have the casting issues. The point is that like Powermatic, Craftsman, Vise Grip and so many other brands, they really aren't what they used to be in many cases. I have no doubt that RCStocker has a good Jet grinder. A new one might be quite a bit different than what he has. I've never held the Taiwanese tools out to be the gold standard in quality. However, I have found them to be a nice compromise that's usually a lot better than the Chinese stuff and less expensive than the top shelf stuff. It's usually plenty good for my skill and home use. My Grizzly bandsaw is a nice unit. The trunnion is a bit weak by comparison to some top quality brands but they've since offered a cast iron upgrade on it. It was about $1,000. The Minimax, Laguna, Agazzani version would have been 3-4 times that. Better? Yes. That much better? Not for me.

 

[Catalyze]

Garage - sorry for your bad fortune on this one....I bought a HF 6" grinder about 15 years ago and it vibrated so badly that it was unuseable. So I did what any of us would do.....I gave it to a friend and said "Here...you deal with it".

On the flip side....about 15 years ago I bought a HF 8" buffer. I am still using that buffer today and still love it. I have been looking on CL for a Baldor buffer for over a year and haven't found diddly so the HF is still my go to buffer. Others have trashed it on this forum but my experience with it is great. Sometimes with inexpensive Asian tools you never can predict the outcome.

Hope you get yourself a good outcome for your tool needs!
Craig

 

[57JoeFoMoPar]

***** about your grinder, please keep us posted as to how the replacement is. I bought a new 6" Craftsman when it was on sale for $60 about 9 years ago. It has not seen real heavy use, but when I need it it has performed flawlessly, and still hums perfectly.

 

[Major Ramifications]

There shouldn't be any significant clearance between the shaft and bore. If there is, the bore needs one of those plastic spacers and the fit should be slip fit to tight.

If there is any runnout on the outer edge, use a wheel dresser to get the thing concentric. If the is ANY side to side movement, throw the wheel away as it's an accident waiting to happen...

All this assumes the grinder shaft itself is running true...

There is more than zero clearance between the arbor and bore, otherwise it would be a ***** to get the wheels on and off.

 

[Outlawmws]

There shouldn't be any significant clearance between the shaft and bore. If there is, the bore needs one of those plastic spacers and the fit should be slip fit to tight.

If there is any runnout on the outer edge, use a wheel dresser to get the thing concentric. If the is ANY side to side movement, throw the wheel away as it's an accident waiting to happen...

All this assumes the grinder shaft itself is running true...

There is more than zero clearance between the arbor and bore, otherwise it would be a ***** to get the wheels on and off.

I don't think I said zero, and if there is enough clearance that you are needing to loosen the wheel, and shift it positionally, and then tighten to try to keep it centered/balanced, then it's too loose...

And yes, it can sometimes be a ***** to get the wheels on and off.

 

[Greg_R]

Sorry to hear that about Jet. I keep hoping that somebody will hold the line on quality for the small shop home shop users.

I've been using my Grizzly Industrial 8" grinder for a number of years now and it is bombproof. These are MUCH beefier than the standard Grizzly grinder/buffers. I haven't seen any runout on the shafts even after a couple years of heavy use (shaping tool steel). I bought Norton wheels for the grinder so I can't comment on the included wheel quality. Obviously the real quality level will be seen in another 20 years of use but for now I'm very happy.

IMO, this is a great alternative versus a new Baldor (I own a smaller Baldor + a Baldor buffer so I feel I can compare the two).

 

[GarageEnvy]

Well, here's the update.....

The new one arrived. The left and right side castings match up and are square with wheel. The wheels are fairly true and certainly as good as can be expected out of the box. The exhaust ports still aren't even but who cares. The castings don't really line up all that well (inner to outer wheel at exhaust ports) but again, who cares.

There's just one teeny tiny problem........IT HAS A DEAD SHORT!!!

In fact you don't even have to try and turn it on. The moment you plug it in...POP.

No more exchanges, it's going back.

FYI for prospective buyers, the Northerntool.com picture shows a grey grinder with a Taiwan label (if you zoom in). They're all made in China now and the quality reflects it. I think the HF grinder I had was almost equal in quality to these new Jet grinders......and they're a lot cheaper too.

The search for a decent used Baldor, Dayton, Craftsman block continues. I've learned my lesson.

 

[brianpgriset]

Strange, I have a Wilton 8 in 1 hp grinder I got off eBay 7 or 8 years ago and it runs like a top. Not sure of coo. I would've figured the jet would be the same since they are all part of WMH tool group but I guess they changed the design.

 

[GarageEnvy]

I think this is a fairly recent changeover in COO. Northerntool rep said COO was a big deal for many of their customers (ironic for a predominantly import place) and they showed Taiwan. I'd be willing to bet that Wilton would very comparable to a Taiwanese Jet but probably better than what they're shipping out now.

 

[MrMark]

Did you try to fix the dead short? Should be a simple matter. You might have a real winner there.











just kidding about the real winner, but fix the dead short.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

I have a Dayton (from Grainger) and I can't complain... Of course I don't know how the models of today compare to the ones from 10 years ago...

Yeah,I have a dayton too, it's a good little grinder. It's a 6".
Did get lucky and find it for a good price at a garage sale.

It would probably work for my usage but I had a decent set of 8" wheels so I was leaning that way. Also I believe that if I ever wanted to add the multitool attachment I'd need the 8" size.

8" is nice if your gonna do any plane irons as there is less hollow grind with a bigger wheel.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

looking at the picture, looks like a nice grinder.
I like the 1800 RPM too.

I've been using my Grizzly Industrial 8" grinder for a number of years now and it is bombproof. These are MUCH beefier than the standard Grizzly grinder/buffers. I haven't seen any runout on the shafts even after a couple years of heavy use (shaping tool steel). I bought Norton wheels for the grinder so I can't comment on the included wheel quality. Obviously the real quality level will be seen in another 20 years of use but for now I'm very happy.

IMO, this is a great alternative versus a new Baldor (I own a smaller Baldor + a Baldor buffer so I feel I can compare the two).

 

[mrbreezeet1]

OMG How do you like that (Or Not?)
Was the replacement China too, or did they find you a Taiwan one?

Well, here's the update.....

The new one arrived. The left and right side castings match up and are square with wheel. The wheels are fairly true and certainly as good as can be expected out of the box. The exhaust ports still aren't even but who cares. The castings don't really line up all that well (inner to outer wheel at exhaust ports) but again, who cares.

There's just one teeny tiny problem........IT HAS A DEAD SHORT!!!

In fact you don't even have to try and turn it on. The moment you plug it in...POP.

No more exchanges, it's going back.

FYI for prospective buyers, the Northerntool.com picture shows a grey grinder with a Taiwan label (if you zoom in). They're all made in China now and the quality reflects it. I think the HF grinder I had was almost equal in quality to these new Jet grinders......and they're a lot cheaper too.

The search for a decent used Baldor, Dayton, Craftsman block continues. I've learned my lesson.

 

[GarageEnvy]

The replacement is China. The conversation on the return went something like
Me: Isn't this supposed to be made in Taiwan?
NT guy: Yes that's what we show.
Me: This Chinese one isn't that great and I'm afraid a replacement would be the same. Do you know if there are both Chinese and Taiwanese grinders floating around?
NT guy: No. But I can put a note on the order to only send one made in Taiwan to the warehouse workers.
Me: Great. Thanks. Unless this one was the exception, I'm not really interested in this quality for this price.

MrMark
I am probably going to look into the short. Frankly, I really don't know why. t I was so hot yesterday after riding the emotional roller coaster of "Oh boy, it's here. Great, it's better than the last one. Son of a B, WTF! Are you kidding me!" I just didn't even want to look into it.

 

[Outlawmws]

You have total evidence that the slave laborers building these things DON'T CARE (I don't blame them much...) and the overseers don't either. If a dead short can get by, even if you do find it, what is the next thing to come apart and maybe electrocute you. Walk away...

 

[lametec]

The search for a decent used Baldor, Dayton, Craftsman block continues. I've learned my lesson.

How about this one? http://merced.craigslist.org/tls/3215970798.html

 

[mikegt4]

You have total evidence that the slave laborers building these things DON'T CARE (I don't blame them much...) and the overseers don't either. If a dead short can get by, even if you do find it, what is the next thing to come apart and maybe electrocute you. Walk away...

Those of us that have worked in manufacturing, especially for a large corporation, have seen this before.

Manufacturing lives and dies by the number of units out the door; not "good" units or "bad" units, just units. Just about any business larger than a small family business is run by bean counting MBAs that are totally focused on the bottom line figures on a spreadsheet. As long as their customer base shops the lowest price and the sales volume is huge they can get away with low quality items coupled with an easy return policy. A business model that Harbor Freight thrives on. High quality products become niche market products or they die.

 

[GarageEnvy]

My pre-purchase research was pretty informal. When I'd go into commercial shops I'd look at what the pros were using. When I'd go into a friend's shop I'd ask how he liked his grinder. Jet kept coming up as a "happy medium" between HF and the Baldor. As noted, my HF literally fell apart and off the pedestal. It was a gift and I hadn't expected much out of it. I've searched for about a year and used USA grinders are really rare in my area. I see all the other postings on GJ from guys picking them up but it's a needle in a haystack here. Out of need and frustration I gave up on the search and opted for the "happy medium". Grinders are a funny thing. Shipping is usually freight so it's pretty much a local search.

I'm going to look into that Merced one. Normally I don't get that far north but next week work will take me within 30 minutes of Winton. Thanks.

 

[GarageEnvy]

OK So curiousity got the best of me and it was pretty easy to see what happened. Probably during shipping the capacitor slipped out of its bracket and grounded itself against either the bracket or the base casting causing the short. So I monkeyed with the bracket. It's extremely thin and soft. It doesn't have any spring to it. Yes, I could make a new bracket to hold it in place. No, I'm not going to. It really wouldn't take much vibration to get the capacitor loose. The mounting bracket is ridiculous.

 

[MrMark]

That was probably designed in USA. Sad/. Can't blame the China for that.