As in the header, I'm looking for my first bench grinder. I like to restore, or more accurately, try to restore vises. I'm a beginner with only two projects under my belt. I'm looking for something very affordable. Which bench grinder do you suggest? Suggestions for wheels are also more than welcome. I'm really not sure exactly what I need.
Please recommend a good starter bench grinder
- Thread starter FJF
- Start date
bczygan
Well-known member
Check CraigsList for Baldor or old Craftsman "Block" grinders.
Bill
Bill
tonyciambrone
Well-known member
Wissota is a good used name as well. I would go used off craigslist as well. I have been disappointed with my HF grinder.
D45
Well-known member
CRAIGSLIST
Do not buy new, most are all junk
Do not buy new, most are all junk
drewsifer714
Well-known member
I used to use 1HP JET bench grinders at my last job. No complaints, they were actually great. Quiet, well balanced.
They would spin for 2 10 hour shifts a day for weeks. Got a little warm and the centrifugal switches were going, but they were 10 years old.
I ended up finding a 1/2 on Craigslist for cheap. I wouldn't go any smaller.
Made in Taiwan I believe.
They would spin for 2 10 hour shifts a day for weeks. Got a little warm and the centrifugal switches were going, but they were 10 years old.
I ended up finding a 1/2 on Craigslist for cheap. I wouldn't go any smaller.
Made in Taiwan I believe.
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Anything made in USA would of course be a good candidate: Dayton (older models), Baldor, Craftsman "block", Rockwell/Delta, Doerr, Milwaukee/Wissota. Don't overlook Taiwanese imports from the 80's/90's. I would recommend 1/2hp or more.
engineer2
Well-known member
I have a Wilton 8" bench grinder and it's a beast.
crewchief888
Well-known member
my questions would be,
what do you plan on doing with the grinder?
what do you consider affordable?
about the only thing i use a bench grinder for is sharpening drill bits.
4 1/2 angle grinders or a 6"x48" belt/disk sander do most of the work..
what do you plan on doing with the grinder?
what do you consider affordable?
about the only thing i use a bench grinder for is sharpening drill bits.
4 1/2 angle grinders or a 6"x48" belt/disk sander do most of the work..
sberry
Banned
I also rarely use one, the occasional bit and wire wheel on the other side. I have a big Baldor, 1hp, it's in my storage building. Never used it. If you don't have a 4 1/2 get one, start with a B&D from Wal-Mart or similar prices one from HF. They make one sells for 10$ but it's not the same, about 30$.
Attachments
Rick B.
Well-known member
My main grinder is an old General arbor set up.
View media item 79974
My other is a Craftsman block grinder I refurbed.
View media item 71642
View media item 79974
My other is a Craftsman block grinder I refurbed.
View media item 71642
Rick B.
Well-known member
My main grinder is an old General arbor set up.
View media item 79975
My other is a Craftsman block grinder I refurbed.
View media item 71642
View media item 79975
My other is a Craftsman block grinder I refurbed.
View media item 71642
In the $100-150 range probably the Dewalt dw758 8" grinder would be ok. Playing with the wheel flange washers and dressing/truing the wheels should get it low in vibration. Comes with 36 and 60 grit wheels. I have one that does the job. A decent Baldor will cost 2 to 4 times as much - used.
Tune up for bench grinders:
http://www.geigerssolutions.com/Tuning-Up-a-Bench-Grinder.html
Tune up for bench grinders:
http://www.geigerssolutions.com/Tuning-Up-a-Bench-Grinder.html
I think if you can find one a 3/4 horsepower is the range of power you are looking for when it comes to a unit that will not bog down when dragging a work piece across it. Usually that will net an 8 inch or larger grinder but lately I have been seeing a lot of 8 inch grinders listed that are well below that power level so buyer beware.
bob15
Well-known member
Besides C-list, look at pawn shops and used tool dealers.