Old Montgomery Ward/Eclipse Bench Grinder question

[SprintCC]

I was given a Mont. Ward/Eclipse Bench Grinder years ago - never used it. Need to clean some rust off some parts, dug it out.
My questions are:

How safe is it?

• A 6 inch stone or wire wheel does bolt up securely.
• I'll need to rewire it at least to have a ground wire (not to mention the cord insulation is cracked everywhere) .
• No safety shields or side shields, no provisions for any, it just never came with them.

It's 1/4 hp is that enough to knock heavy surface rust off parts (not scale)?

Is it worth the time to rewire, etc. or would it be better/safer to look for a more modern (used) bench grinder?

Opinions please. I'm attaching a few pics, not great but it'll give you an idea.

Chris

 

[Outlawmws]

1/4 HP is going to be VERY low HP for a wire wheel. you can do it but use a fine bristle narrow wheel. You can't drive a braided wheel with that. (Well, you can, but you will stall it a LOT and probably burn it up...)

I'd also keep it to a 4 or 5" wheel you may have room for a 6" wheel, but the larger circumference makes it that much easier to stall.

 

[SprintCC]

Ok, so if I was to look for another to do some wire wheel work what kind of RPM/HP would you recommend?

Thanks!
Chris

 

[Outlawmws]

RPM depends on the wire wheel and it's rating. So if you go with a 3450 RPM motor make sure the wheel will take it.

I'd use a 3/4 HP for a 6" 1" wide wire wheel or for a braided wheel that Diameter. if you go bigger in width or Diameter, you probably need 1 HP, more if you go way past it.

with 3/4 HP you can probably double up on a 6" braided wheel which is an awesome cleaning wheel if you have heavy rust and no "finished" surfaces... (It WILL leave marls...)