Plastic B&D bench grinder?

[thoraudio]

A good bench grinder is one of the things on my list when hitting the usual antique and thrift stores and yard sales.

Saw this one at a thrift store, yesterday.

5" bench grinder, in very good shape, but it's PLASTIC. They only want $20, but it's PLASTIC....

Anybody with any knowledge on them?

 

[mmack66]

The pertinent parts are probably made out of metal.

Here is one that sold on eBay for $24.88 plus shipping:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yellow-Blac...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[neophyte]

On the one hand I don't think of plastic as a good material for a bench grinder. On the other hand, Makita has been making some tools such as laminate trimmers out of plastic for decades, and they even make a wet stone sharper with a plastic body so the material may not be completely inappropriate.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Same color and likley same plastic that they made teh drill housing in of which I have a few.

As long as you can get wheels that fit that arbor, I'd say $20 or $15 is fine.

Look at what it puts out rpm-wise and it may make a good buffing station or wire wheel station.

If using in an industrial metal shop 10-12 hours a day, I;d pass.

For weekend warrior work, as long as it runns, I'd scoop it up if you have that gap in your shop tools for it.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Evidence suggests that every time you look at it, you will be annoyed and concerned that it is plastic. I feel the same.

If your shop is a haven to you, like mine is to me, you should enjoy using and seeing all tools. There is enough old grinders avail, that you can afford to be picky and get an older metal one that you can paint whatever color you want and LOVE that thing every time you walk past it.

Just my 2 pennies....

 

[zkling]

I'd pass, based on one big factor. It takes 5" wheels. The two most common bench grinder wheels are 6" and 8". Now if it was one of the older 7" grinders that is one thing. But me thinks you are going to be pretty limited on wheel selection for that machine. Keep looking, you can usually find a cheap 6" unit for <$30. If your lucky like some you will find an older craftsman or baldor grinder.

 

[ganymede]

I bet its fine for small tasks. Buy it and use it for stuff when you don't need bigger or more powerl. Take some of the load off your main grinder.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Same ugly color as my dad's B&D jigsaw.

 

[RCStocker]

The grinder is a 1970's model and sold for $14.99
It is the bigest pile of junk and the cheapest pices of **** frinder ever made.

There I said it. B&D tools are all freaking ****!

It is not even worthy of posting a photo.

If you really want to know what I think of it send me a PM and I will let you know. LOL

 

[neophyte]

The grinder is a 1970's model and sold for $14.99
It is the bigest pile of junk and the cheapest pices of **** frinder ever made.

There I said it. B&D tools are all freaking ****!

It is not even worthy of posting a photo.

If you really want to know what I think of it send me a PM and I will let you know. LOL

If the grinder sold for $14.99 in 1970, then inflation wise you're talking about $90. I have an old Black and Decker drill that sold originally for $9.99. The drill is probably about the same vintage. Inflation wise that's about $60. I don't think the drill is worth $60, but it may still be worth the $9.99. Likewise the grinder might be worth the original $14.99.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Don't pay any attention to RCStocker...