Old Milwaukee Bench Grinder

[hawgputter]

I have been looking hard for about a year or so for a good used American made bench grinder. I finally found a vintage 8-inch, ¾ hp, Milwaukee grinder that I have been restoring. I got’er cleaned painted and back together and she looks so good and runs sooo smoooth!
I’m now ready to buy a wheel and a wire wheel for it but it sure goes against my grain to put an imported wheel and wire brush on her.
Do any of you guys know who makes a good American 8 inch wheel and wire brush to compliment this ole gal?

 

[cruiser808]

Hey Hawgputter - how about some pics of of that beauty.

 

[hawgputter]

Here are some before and after shots.
Check this beast of a stand/pedestal that came with her all for $35.
Dont have a final assembled picture yet because daughter has the camera but I will post one asap.

 

[hawgputter]

BTW....some info I found doing research on my Milwaukee grinder.
note the Taiwanese and Chinese imports remark LOL........

Wissota Manufacturing was incorporated in 1946 and we were making skate sharpeners before our competitors were formed or born. There is a Wissota skate sharpener in the museum collection of the Minnesota Historical Society in ST. Paul, and in the U.S Hockey Hall of Fame Museum collection. Since 1946 we have built industrial skate sharpeners, bench grinders, precision electric motors, and grinding wheels. Wissota made all of the industrial bench grinders for MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL, SNAP-ON TOOLS, ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL (DELTA), WILTON, SIOUX TOOLS, AND BOSCH.

We make our own electric motors and they are made to the exact same industrial duty standards now as they were in the past. Wissota has NEVER lowered our quality or performance specifications to lower costs. Our motors have been used on precision carbide tool & saw sharpeners, knife sharpeners, and ultra-precision surface grinding machines. Many of these applications ran 24 hours a day with heavy loads in tough environments. Taiwanese and Chinese imports have decimated the bench grinders market and Wissota is currently using all of its expertise to manufacture ice skate sharpeners exclusively.

 

[fatfillup]

Cool piece of history but from the title Old Milwaulkee, I thought it was a thread on beer can grinders lol

 

[Vinko]

McMaster might have USA-made wire wheels. I got some from them recently for an older Baldor but they were made in Germany.

 

[hawgputter]

Thanks Vinko, I'll try McMaster.
Germany will work, never considered them to be a cheap importer.
Everything I have thats made in Germany has lasted & is hell for stout!

 

[cruiser808]

Here are some before and after shots.
Check this beast of a stand/pedestal that came with her all for $35.
Dont have a final assembled picture yet because daughter has the camera but I will post one asap.

Sweet! Can't wait to see it all assembled.

 

[hawgputter]

Hello Guys,
Here is a picture of my Vintage Milwaukee bench grinder after restoration.
She sure runs smooth & take forever to coat down!