New USA bench grinder

[zakmartin]

I've been in the market for a new bench grinder for a LONG time. I was reading the latest issue of Popular Mechanics the other day and they were doing reviews on bench grinders and gave the Baldor 600E five out of five stars (it was the only one that got such a high rating.) I don't mind paying extra for a USA tool and this one goes for about $275 according to the magazine. I trust the opinions from this board way more than I trust Popular Mechanics, so I'd like to ask for some informed input. Does anyone have any experience using Baldor grinders, and specifically, the 600E, and have any they'd like to share before I fork over the money for a new one? Thanks!

Article:

The Best Bench Grinders Are Put To The Test

 

[-Brent-]

I've only heard good things about Baldor. My small polisher runs a Baldor. It's fairly quiet and never had any issues.

 

[woody 73]

I don't remember numbers like I used too but I have (or think I have that grinder model), mind you I use at least 5 baldors and some other models. They are still going strong after years of use and you will never go wrong with that model.

 

[bobcatdan]

Baldors are the top of the hill in bench grinders. Once you use one, all others out there are paper weights. I have a matco made in the USA. I think it is a baldor, but being from the late 90's it could be a wissous ( I didn't spell that close to right), those are also very good, but stop making bench grinders 10 or so years ago. Mine is 1/2 hp and it will smoke the 3/4 hp delta at work.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I read the same article at least 3 times because I'm looking to pick up one as well. Very surprised that some of the foreign models have such low specs but turn out decent grinding numbers. I'll be using a wire wheel and don't exactly think some are up to the task.

This was one of the much better tool comparisons that Popular Mechanics has had recently.

 

[oldtools]

Not surprising the most expensive grinder is the best grinder. I have 3 Baldor grinders (not that model) and they are smooth and very high quality. I bought them used so they cost alot less. You may want to consider buying used.

 

[pcmeiners]

Baldors are the top of the hill in bench grinders. Once you use one, all others out there are paper weights.

Agreed. I have 6 Baldors, and no "paper weights".
Zakmartin, you would be better off searching Craigslist or Ebay for a used Baldor with a bit more HP (1/2 or 3/4) and heavy duty tool rests for roughly the same price.

 

[1982fxr]

Baldors are the top of the hill in bench grinders. Once you use one, all others out there are paper weights. I have a matco made in the USA. I think it is a baldor, but being from the late 90's it could be a wissous ( I didn't spell that close to right), those are also very good, but stop making bench grinders 10 or so years ago. Mine is 1/2 hp and it will smoke the 3/4 hp delta at work.

Wissota, wasn't that one?

 

[woody 73]

Agreed. I have 6 Baldors, and no "paper weights".
Zakmartin, you would be better off searching Craigslist or Ebay for a used Baldor with a bit more HP (1/2 or 3/4) and heavy duty tool rests for roughly the same price.

Yes this is true if your are working on cleaning up large pieces (wire wheel will not get bogged down) or needing to grind a lot of metal.

I use that model that the op posted a link above to sharpen all my lathe tools, I need the slower speed with less aggressive wheels that will not heat up the metal too fast, making that smaller model an ideal grinder.

 

[zkling]

It is a very nice grinder. The reason you don't hear much about it is IMHO, it is out of the budget range for the average DIY guy. I'd look at the used route, via CL, ebay or the like first. It's not that it is a bad grinder, just most cannot and don't need to justify the cost of that unit.

 

[bobcatdan]

Wissota, wasn't that one?

That's it! They were ever bit as good as baldor. SO rebadgef them. They are still in business, but only make ice skate grinders now.

 

[neophyte]

The main annoyance with Baldor grinders is that you flip the switch off, and the grinding wheels keep spinning and spinning. I not sure how long but 5 minutes wouldn't surprise me. The bearings and machining were so good, fitting some sort of break would have been useful.

 

[zakmartin]

Thanks to all for your help!

It looks like my wife's getting me a Baldor for Christmas I checked Craigslist and couldn't find one. To be honest, given past experiences on Craigslist here in Seattle, it isn't the most reliable way to make purchases. I think I'm 2 for 7 on people actually showing up at the agreed-to time and place to sell me their stuff.

D.McFarland re: this being one of the better reviews Pop Mechanics has done in a while, I completely agree. I get the impression that Baldor's going to be getting a bump in business due to the write-up. The model they reviewed should suit my needs nicely.

Now I have to figure out what to get my wife for Christmas. Women are a lot tougher to shop for than guys.

 

[bobcatdan]

Long run time after shut down is the hallmark of a quality grinder. I also have a block and it too has pretty decent run time.

 

[darcyh]

I saw that issue as well. Nice grinder but the tool rests looked kind of weak to me. Note the JET unit that came second had cast steel / iron tool rests.

 

[hillarysqt]

I've only heard good things about Baldor.

 

[zkling]

PM sent.

 

[arms1970]

Got two in the shop. Workhorses

 

[The Frisco Kid]

Cast iron tool rests & wheel guards aren't too much of a price difference. Might want to look at 623E in lieu of 600E.

 

[Dan Jacobs]

It was a very good test I thought this comment was especially true:

Almost nothing we test is made in America, so it's easy to forget just how good American-made equipment really is. Then you run the Baldor and remember what this country's products once were. No other grinder can touch it. It's beautifully made, with large cast wheel housings, and it runs without vibration.

Why are we in a marketplace that's full of ****? Why did **** become the norm? Oh well

 

[oldtools]

It was a very good test I thought this comment was especially true:

Almost nothing we test is made in America, so it's easy to forget just how good American-made equipment really is. Then you run the Baldor and remember what this country's products once were. No other grinder can touch it. It's beautifully made, with large cast wheel housings, and it runs without vibration.

Why are we in a marketplace that's full of ****? Why did **** become the norm? Oh well

Not everybody can afford industrial equipment.

 

[oldtools]

It was a very good test I thought this comment was especially true:

Almost nothing we test is made in America, so it's easy to forget just how good American-made equipment really is. Then you run the Baldor and remember what this country's products once were. No other grinder can touch it. It's beautifully made, with large cast wheel housings, and it runs without vibration.

Why are we in a marketplace that's full of ****? Why did **** become the norm? Oh well

Why do people buy a Chevy Cavalier instead of a Mercedes S class?

 

[zakmartin]

PM sent.

Thanks for the PM!

 

[zakmartin]

Cast iron tool rests & wheel guards aren't too much of a price difference. Might want to look at 623E in lieu of 600E.

Thanks for the referral. I'll have a look at the 623E as well.

I'm also thinking about the 600RE, since I'm a fan of the color red (see my car in the avatar)

 

[Banjorear]

The main annoyance with Baldor grinders is that you flip the switch off, and the grinding wheels keep spinning and spinning. I not sure how long but 5 minutes wouldn't surprise me. The bearings and machining were so good, fitting some sort of break would have been useful.

I have an old Craftsman one that does the same thing. I actually like that it does this for it means it's perfectly balanced.

I "made" a simple break with a piece of old sqaure tubing. If I don't need it to stop, I let it run.

 

[devonhubb]

Who sells Baldor grinders?

 

[Major Ramifications]

If you have to ask if Baldor grinder are good, you haven't spent too much time on this forum!
I've never owned one, but I used one where I used to work. DAYUM, that is one sweet machine. I mean, just wow.

 

[Farmall450]

DeWalt's aren't bad...but I doubt they are US

 

[larryq]

I may as well ask here-- what exactly does 'dressing the wheel' mean?

 

[WWIIjeep]

I may as well ask here-- what exactly does 'dressing the wheel' mean?

"Dressing the wheel" means cleaning and smoothing the wheel with a star-wheel or Huntington wheel dresser, like the one pictured in the PM test sitting on top of the Craftsman grinder.

As a grinding wheel gets used, the surface can wear unevenly, and grooves or radii can form, especially if the operator doesn't move the work from side to side to distribute wheel wear during the grinding process. The wheel dressers smooth out such irregularities.

Wheel dressers will also remove imbedded metal (pinning) from wheels when the wrong wheel is used to grind a particular material; e.g., when a wheel designed for grinding ferrous metals is used to grind aluminum or other soft metals.

There's another aspect of grinding wheel care that the article doesn't mention, which is "truing the wheel." That should be the first step in the installation of any new grinding wheel, and is done with a single-point diamond wheel dresser in a special holder that slides along the tool rest at a fixed distance from the wheel, thus making the perimeter of the wheel absolutely concentric with the motor shaft axis. Truing is followed by a very light dressing with a star wheel or Huntington wheel dresser before putting the wheel into service.

High-quality grinding wheels, such as the Norton wheels PM used in the test, properly trued and dressed, will make a substantial difference in vibration-free grinder performance, even on cheap import grinders.