Ryobi Bench Grinder

[illmatyk]

Anyone have experience with the Ryobi 6" Bench Grinder from HD?

 

[rooster4321]

I have a 6 inch Ryobi blue and yellow same shape and style had for 15 years works good.no problems probably only paid $29 for it

Sent from my KYOCERA-E6560 using Tapatalk

 

[kythri]

I had the Craftsman-branded version of that several years ago.

It wasn't horrible, as just a grinder, but I felt it was severely under-powered after installing and using a wire wheel. The thing bogged down all the time.

It's got a 2.1amp motor, which is going to put out maybe 1/6hp.

I gave it to my brother, who had just bought himself a house and was outfitting it with tools, and bought a DeWalt 6" grinder.

Significant difference, but, of course, twice the price of that Ryobi.

The DeWalt claims 5/8hp, and it's probably close to accurate.

If the speculators and hoarders hadn't screwed up the market and driven up prices, I'd say search Craigslist for an older grinder, such as a Craftsman block grinder.

I was able to pick up a 3/4hp model, pristine condition, like it had just been unboxed, on the original stand, for cheap.

If anything, the rated HP is under-rated, because these things are a beast.

Here's an 8" 1/2hp Craftsman block for $65, so there are still some deals on them out there.

https://bend.craigslist.org/tls/d/bend-craftsman-1-2-hp-bench-grinder/6999686730.html

If that thing wasn't a 3-hour drive away, I'd jump on that for my dad or to upgrade my brother.

 

[1982fxr]

I had the Craftsman-branded version of that several years ago.

It wasn't horrible, as just a grinder, but I felt it was severely under-powered after installing and using a wire wheel. The thing bogged down all the time.

It's got a 2.1amp motor, which is going to put out maybe 1/6hp.

I gave it to my brother, who had just bought himself a house and was outfitting it with tools, and bought a DeWalt 6" grinder.

Significant difference, but, of course, twice the price of that Ryobi.

The DeWalt claims 5/8hp, and it's probably close to accurate.

If the speculators and hoarders hadn't screwed up the market and driven up prices, I'd say search Craigslist for an older grinder, such as a Craftsman block grinder.

I was able to pick up a 3/4hp model, pristine condition, like it had just been unboxed, on the original stand, for cheap.

If anything, the rated HP is under-rated, because these things are a beast.

Here's an 8" 1/2hp Craftsman block for $65, so there are still some deals on them out there.

https://bend.craigslist.org/tls/d/bend-craftsman-1-2-hp-bench-grinder/6999686730.html

If that thing wasn't a 3-hour drive away, I'd jump on that for my dad or to upgrade my brother.

He's in Guam, not sure if collectors have screwed up the market there too or not.

 

[1982fxr]

Op you can expect that to be a lower end grinder. Probably fine for grinding, likely to bog down with medium or heavier wire wheeling.

Are there any vintage grinders over there?

 

[MattT]

I've got a 15ish year old 8" Ryobi. It runs nice and smooth and the cast tool rests are better than the sheet metal ones. That puts it a couple steps above most low end grinders.

The negative is it is kinda weak though that applies to most inexpensive grinders. Good for sharpening but not enough for heavy grinding or wire wheeling. If you need a grinder for heavier work best to increase the budget or try to get lucky on a used one.

 

[illmatyk]

Cool, thanks for all the inputs.

 

[IndyGarage]

I have the 8 inch version. I bought it because it was cheap and I needed one fast.

It's good enough I haven't replaced it but bad enough that I think about doing it.

My biggest problem with it is that it takes awhile to spin up. I have an old black and decker 6 inch that spins up much faster...

 

[illmatyk]

I have the 8 inch version. I bought it because it was cheap and I needed one fast.

It's good enough I haven't replaced it but bad enough that I think about doing it.

My biggest problem with it is that it takes awhile to spin up. I have an old black and decker 6 inch that spins up much faster...

Most if what I've come across is that it takes time to speed up or is noisy which either isnt a problem for me.

I'm limited getting one here ( Guam ) without being screwed over so the Ryobi should be ok for the time being.