School me on bench grinders

[live311]

I'm a lowly homeowner in the market for a bench grinder that can do just about anything a homeowner would need. Sharpening lawn mower blades, loppers, chisels, etc. But also something that can handle old tool restorations, specifically wire wheeling and buffing. It can't be too big since I have limited space and would need to put it away when not in use. What kind of specs should I be looking for? 5, 6 or 8 inch? 3/4 horsepower or more (or less)? I'm open to new or used/vintage and would consider getting a separate stand for it.

On top of that, any tips on dust collection using a shop vac? I'll be using this thing in my basement right next to the clothes dryer and the bathroom where my toddler bathes.

Any other tips on general usage would be appreciated.

 

[lis2323]

On top of that, any tips on dust collection using a shop vac? I'll be using this thing in my basement right next to the clothes dryer and the bathroom where my toddler bathes.



Any other tips on general usage would be appreciated.

You will get lots of good (and maybe bad) insight from the members here.

I would strongly advise against your desired location though. Might have to ”wheel” it outside.
JMO



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[jumbojak]

I can't recommend a grinder for you but will say that dust is at its worst when dressing the wheel and that removable guards help a lot with a wire wheel. You might consider making new tool rests for whatever you wind up getting. I fabed one out of some steel bar and welded it to the original guard. It works great.

 

[Davefr]

If you plan to do wire brushing then you want as much power as possible. That will stall out a grinder more then stone grinding. Ignore HP and look for amps. They all lie about HP so it's become meaningless for comparison purposes.

I'd look for older CM block grinders. They were pretty powerful back then. For new, I'd look at JET. They have a lot of power for the size. (ie 8 amps for 8")

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Are you sure a 4.5" angle grinder with whatever plethora of attachments you might want wouldn't be better. By better I mean something that's easier to tote OUTSIDE. Ya know, away from your tiny human and flammable dryer lint.

 

[WaterBoyz]

I have an 8" HF for some years. Installed 2 wire wheels (doubled up) onto the left side. Bought the wires from HD because the HF ones were really really bad. This unit will coast a loooooooong time after switching the power off.

Recently bought a second 8" HF grinder. It is nowhere near as powerful as the older unit. Bogs down real easy. It was too late to return.

I did look on Facebook Market Place and Craig's List for used. Some sellers were very proud of their grinder.

Usually, a grinder is one of those tools that a person only buys once. So get a good one the first time.

As to mounting it, I've seen people attach it to the end of the workbench on a swing-down ledge. Some have mounted it to the worktop with carriage bolts and wing nuts. Easy on---easy off.

I would not use a vacuum system. Sparks can ignite things.

 

[lilredex]

This is my 6" Baldor, that has been in use since 1973. It does most of the rough grinding and rust clean up. Any more precise sharpening, like chisels or plane blades is done on my 8 1/2" Homecraft disc sander. I prefer the belt driven models as you can choose your speed....most of those direct drives go too fast and burn things.

 

[lis2323]

This is my 6" Baldor, that has been in use since 1973. It does most of the rough grinding and rust clean up. Any more precise sharpening, like chisels or plane blades is done on my 8 1/2" Homecraft disc sander. I prefer the belt driven models as you can choose your speed....most of those direct drives go too fast and burn things.

Another vote for Baldor quality. Bought mine new in 1975. Here it is today, although I don’t use it much in favor of bigger machines and belt grinders.

 

[gamescastspencer]

I have a few grinders and work around them. I have ended up with quite a few belt driven grinders, two prairies, a Montgomery wards, modern, and two unidentified ones. Then the Dayton on the stand and a HF 6 inch on the floor and a motor with an arbor on it. The Dayton is only a 1/4 horse but has not disappointed me running two 6 inch wire wheels and a Jacobs Chuck for small buffing wheels and wire wheels. The belt driven ones are nice since you can put as big of a motor as you want and change pulley sizes to achieve the optimal speed for the job. I work at a regrind shop/machine shop so 80% of the shop floor is occupied with grinding equipment and all bench grinders are Baldors with exception of two Daytons. So really any older grinder should work fine for general clean up and grind tasks.

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[Leaflessshadetree]

Avoid the cheap imports. I'd say 3/4 HP or more.
Also pay attention to the speed and wheel diameter (larger wheels have higher "cutting" speed at the same RPM).

Buffing, grinding and sharpening are all different tasks and there are different levels (coarseness) of each.

For sharpening mower blades, shovels and many lawn tools I use an angle grinder and flap disk.

 

[live311]

I appreciate everyone's input. I guess I was just thinking out loud. What I really need is a dedicated shop, not just a tiny corner in the basement. I do have an angle grinder, but it's a pain to get it and the extension cord out of the basement every time I want to use it for 2 minutes. Maybe I should go cordless.

Maybe I should have a serious talk with the wife about that detached garage she's been wanting

 

[jeepinerdeep]

I appreciate everyone's input. I guess I was just thinking out loud. What I really need is a dedicated shop, not just a tiny corner in the basement. I do have an angle grinder, but it's a pain to get it and the extension cord out of the basement every time I want to use it for 2 minutes. Maybe I should go cordless.

Maybe I should have a serious talk with the wife about that detached garage she's been wanting

That's the spirit. Go right from 'I might want a bench grinder" to full blown construction project, earthmoving equipment and all.

 

[2oolhound]

A detached garage is a good thing but don't make the mistake of making it too small or not tall enough. You want to do more than just park cars in there.

 

[Doug Arthurs]

Baldor or bust for me.

 

[WWheeler]

A couple years ago I grabbed a Dewalt DW758 for ~$100 on sale at Home Depot. It spools up quick and haven't bogged it down with a wire wheel or stone. Had a tiny wobble when new that went away after changing out the OEM wheels. Also have a Craftsman 3/4 HP block grinder but have yet to mount it and put it to use (also needs me to buy or fab tool rests for it). Grabbed it thinking the Dewalt might not be up to heavy use but it's not let me down yet.

Mounted it to the cheapest stand I could find on Amazon, filled the post with concrete for a bit extra stability and put wheels on 2 of the 3 legs and fashioned a foot out of a hockey puck for the other. Stays put when I use it but just need to tilt it onto its wheels to move it outside where I prefer to use it weather permitting.

First pic used 2" wheels I took off a busted creeper that worked but not as well as I hoped. Switched to 3" wheels from HD (2nd pic) and it maneuvers much better.

 

[Ilikeike]

I think that DeWalt 8" is a good at home setup. A buddy bought one for home before he mini tubbed his Nova and added a torque arm suspension set up, worked good for all the little fab stuff he did and needed grinding.

I have a older JET 1HP 8" at home, I use it a lot,especially the wire wheel, I work on old muscle cars at home to so it does get some decent use.


Get an 8". $100~150 budget for a new big box store model.

 

[Alaniho]

Another vote for Baldor quality. Bought mine new in 1975. Here it is today, although I don’t use it much in favor of bigger machines and belt grinders.

I really like your polishing setup with all the steps on various polishers in line ready to go. Do you have preferred polishing compounds as it can be tricky to get a bar that finishes just right?

 

[dogdog]

LOL, a bench grinder is the ones you used to grind a bench..... there you have been schooled

I think OP is looking for a home owner one... that gets way over the top for him... specify your budget would be nice... otherwise things gets crazy... home owner, usually royabi/craftsman/dewalt/even the Eastwood one, 3/4 HP or 1HP even the HF ones are not too bad... for the price... 6" 8" or 10" if you can splurge.

 

[erty67]

Craftsman block grinders are a solid choice. I have two and love em both.

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[pelletman]

Baldor....

 

[lis2323]

Alaniho: I’m new to polishing and really haven’t got a good feel for it yet.

Check out the “Before and After” ....polishing thread. Those guys over there are amazing!


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[sberry]

I like a wire wheel on one for cleaning bolts. A stone on the other side but I rarely use it. I use 4 1/2 for almost all other grinding. What is it you guys polish all the time, I never do, don't own one. Got a small wheel on an air tool but use it only occasionally.

 

[Bagherra]

That's the spirit. Go right from 'I might want a bench grinder" to full blown construction project, earthmoving equipment and all.