Picked up a bench grinder
- Thread starter GIJoe4500
- Start date
If it works I'd say you're better off than buying off shore **** cost wise. I like that it looks like the shafts extend so far out the sides. It looks slightly more than usual. 3400 rpm is good and the dual voltage is nice if you can use it. Some of the rests (guides) for those industrial types are pretty nice and have lots of adjustable positions. Ascetics wise and functionally it's way cooler than any new off shore stuff.
I picked it up, because the guards are cast, and not stamped sheet metal. Plus, I thought it was cool looking. LOL
It does work, and it works pretty damn well. I'm happy with it. I put it through its paces today working on the front axle for my rock crawler.
Is wiring it up to be 220v actually worth doing?
It does work, and it works pretty damn well. I'm happy with it. I put it through its paces today working on the front axle for my rock crawler.
Is wiring it up to be 220v actually worth doing?
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rsanter
Well-known member
Use the hell out of it
That would be my plan
Bob
That would be my plan
Bob
Outlawmws
Well-known member
On the wiring, it depends. do you have a 220 circuit besides the dryer plug?
Do you want to take it elsewhere on occasion?
220 gets you a little more omph, and a little lower power consumption overall but for the use the average guy does and in the average garage, it's probably not worth the hassle. (I've been down both tracks, and lean to 220 where it's practical, but I wired my garage for 220 for power tools besides welders 25 years ago...)
Do you want to take it elsewhere on occasion?
220 gets you a little more omph, and a little lower power consumption overall but for the use the average guy does and in the average garage, it's probably not worth the hassle. (I've been down both tracks, and lean to 220 where it's practical, but I wired my garage for 220 for power tools besides welders 25 years ago...)
I'm planning on leaving it 110v. I just have never seen a tool like a bench grinder that could be either or. Didn't know if it makes a difference like it does with a 110/220 welder, or a 110/220 plasma cutter.
This thing definitely has some oomph in it. Took everything I could throw at it and then it laughed at me. Should serve me well for years.
Packard V8
Well-known member
Not to rain on the parade, but I briefly owned a Chicago Power Tool grinder that came from Harbor Freight and was made in China. Have you looked carefully at the tags on it?
Still, it has cast guards and than makes it better than most.
jack vines
Harbor Freight is Chicago Electric.
Info about Chicago Power Tools trademark. Seems to have been owned by a wholesale company, so there's a good chance the grinder is an import.
Info about Chicago Power Tools trademark. Seems to have been owned by a wholesale company, so there's a good chance the grinder is an import.
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drivesitfar
Well-known member
Pakard I think GI has one of the old Chicago ones before somebody took the name and went to China and HF. those guards are not a el cheapo of the HF variety so i'm pretty sure GI has a keeper.
i'm also wondering if worth changing my almost new Craftsman professional block grinder to 220 and would love to hear other opinions. thanks Outlaw for your wisdom again and I guess it depends on amount of use.
nice find and I would just tape the nameplate and do the restore around it, but that's just my 2 cents.
i'm also wondering if worth changing my almost new Craftsman professional block grinder to 220 and would love to hear other opinions. thanks Outlaw for your wisdom again and I guess it depends on amount of use.
nice find and I would just tape the nameplate and do the restore around it, but that's just my 2 cents.
I highly doubt this grinder is Chinese. If anything it might be from Taiwan.
However it looks like a keeper to me.
4 amps at 120VAC for a 6" grinder is good!!!
drivesitfar
Well-known member
Pretty sure I remember reading about a company named Chicago that made grinders when I was doing some research on a Cincinnati grinder I used to own before I sold it. the Cincinati one was a beasty little bench grinder and now that company makes tools for huge factories so maybe Chicago changed names, was bought out or makes other tools now if you can't find any information on them.
i'd bet that is around an early 50's or earlier grinder you have GI and more than likely made in Chicago and if it's a Taiwan made one it's the best one I've seen from there.
i'd bet that is around an early 50's or earlier grinder you have GI and more than likely made in Chicago and if it's a Taiwan made one it's the best one I've seen from there.
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Packard V8
Well-known member
As does Outlaw, I hard-wire 220V (using a DPDT switch) on most my fractional horsepower motors which are dual voltage. They come up to speed just a bit quicker, hold speed just a bit longer before stalling. If one is leaning on a motor long and hard, definitely go 220V. Power cords don't get as warm and where a plugs are used, the 220V plugs are usually heavier. As he says, the typical homeowner would never notice the difference.
Changing over a typical bench grinder would usually require changing the switch to DPDT.
jack vines
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If this thing is Tawainese made, holy hell its a beast of an import! I have the all the guards and shields and everything for it. Just haven't mounted it all yet, because i want to strip it down and clean it up. This this has some serious power. Almost as nice as the Baldor we have at work. And when you turn it off, it spins and spins and spins and spins forever. Nice bearings it in.
I don't recall seeing any COO marks on it, but i'll really look it over next time I get a chance.
I don't recall seeing any COO marks on it, but i'll really look it over next time I get a chance.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taiwan
Taiwan is the Republic of CHINA. The people that live there are Chinese.
fullthrottle24
Well-known member
You can remove the rivets by cutting a slot in them with a dremel cut off wheel, and then using a screwdriver to back them out. Replace them with new drive rivets.
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I've done business with both China and Taiwan, and the Taiwanese will not say they are "Chinese". They will say they have been independent since after WW2, and now taken over by China, but they will claim they are still a separate entity.
BTW, that grinder is absolutely ASIAN in my book---everything from the castings, paint job, and logo plate.
Fretters
Well-known member
I think it's quite nice looking too. I'd personally be quite happy with one of those. Should look quite tidy once fettled.
Or DPST (Double Pole Single Throw)
ururk
Well-known member
I know this is an old thread, was wondering if you did any reasearch into this model? I just got the exact same one from a relative, more or less pristine (but used!) condition. Kinda excited as I don't have a grinder.
I had one I had bought because it came on a really heavy duty cast iron stand. I ended up using it for years. I believe it is Taiwanese. It was great. Smooth as butter and seemed to punch above its weight. I only got rid of it because I found an old 3/4 horse Dayton and I needed the extra oomph to run a multi-tool belt grinder.
Keep it and use it.
Keep it and use it.
Made in Taiwan and they are truly the baddest import tool I’ve ever seen! The OP likely has an early 80’s model and mine is an 87’. I missed out on the cast tool rests but I had some custom made from angle iron. As the OP stated, mine takes everything I can throw at it and laughs it off. I imagine if my garage is like the movie Toy Story overnight after I go to bed, this grinder is the tough guy in the room!
Old Thread, but thought I would chime in. I picked up the 10" version of this Chicago Grinder (Model 9020). Got it for $60 Canadian Dollars, thought it would be a nice addition to the shop once restored. Mine is marked "Taiwan" to address the questions from the previous posts regarding the other members 6" grinder from the same product line. Probably this Chicago won't compare to my current 8" Baldor.............but I like the idea of having a spare 220V 10" Grinder "Just In Case".
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seber
Well-known member
There is absolutely no point in wiring a 1/2 hp motor for 220. It is only going to draw around three or four amps on 110. At that low amperage the wiring simply will not cause enough voltage drop to ever be noticeable. In fact you probably won't even be able to measure it with a common meter.
Tailwagger
Member
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2024
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I know I am resurrecting a really old thread, but since there is not much info on this brand, I wanted to clear a couple things up. Chicago Power Tools, simultaneously labeled Chicago Power Tool Company on at least some bench grinders, is not the same as Harbor Freight’s Chicago Electric Power Tools. And as some have said, the grinders I have seen were made in Taiwan, some with a “Made In Taiwan” sticker. Good era. Serious grinders for sure.
seber
Well-known member
I'm fairly sure that grinder was made by the Chicago tool company in California. Long before Harbor Freight took the name.