Greg Barry
Member
Hi all. Been lurking a while, and this is my first post. I've gained a lot of useful, valuable info from this site.
For some time now I've wanted a decent bench grinder, but didn't want anything from offshore. Well, today was the day. FB Marketplace coughed up a Thor 8" bench grinder, and what caught my attention was it's completeness. Even the eye shields were there! I removed them before I took the pic.
Two hours and $40 later I was home with it, and a few minutes removing the old power cord and rigging a temporary, and it was running. A little bearing noise and a slight vibration, but otherwise it seems to be in good condition. Nice and heavy, all cast iron. Needs to have the left side wheel replaced, and both bearings could be replaced, but otherwise it seems a good candidate for a restore and use.
In the first photo you can see the hole for the original on/off switch. Former owner at one time drilled two new holes and bolted on a standard electrical box, and put a household switch in it. I removed the box, and intend to put on a toggle switch like the original. There may have been a "guard" of some sort around the original switch. Comments?
Biggest problem seems to be a lack of info. I see a few 6", 1/3 HP units on the net, but I can't find any 8", 1/2 HP like this one.
Can anyone point me to some good info on this grinder. Parts aren't really an issue as it has original eye shields and tool rests. Mostly I'd like to find info on manufacturing date and such. I plan to clean it up and paint it, replace the plexi-glass in the shields, put on a new fine cut wheel, and just use it.
comments and info welcomed!
For some time now I've wanted a decent bench grinder, but didn't want anything from offshore. Well, today was the day. FB Marketplace coughed up a Thor 8" bench grinder, and what caught my attention was it's completeness. Even the eye shields were there! I removed them before I took the pic.
Two hours and $40 later I was home with it, and a few minutes removing the old power cord and rigging a temporary, and it was running. A little bearing noise and a slight vibration, but otherwise it seems to be in good condition. Nice and heavy, all cast iron. Needs to have the left side wheel replaced, and both bearings could be replaced, but otherwise it seems a good candidate for a restore and use.
In the first photo you can see the hole for the original on/off switch. Former owner at one time drilled two new holes and bolted on a standard electrical box, and put a household switch in it. I removed the box, and intend to put on a toggle switch like the original. There may have been a "guard" of some sort around the original switch. Comments?
Biggest problem seems to be a lack of info. I see a few 6", 1/3 HP units on the net, but I can't find any 8", 1/2 HP like this one.
Can anyone point me to some good info on this grinder. Parts aren't really an issue as it has original eye shields and tool rests. Mostly I'd like to find info on manufacturing date and such. I plan to clean it up and paint it, replace the plexi-glass in the shields, put on a new fine cut wheel, and just use it.
comments and info welcomed!
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