Which Bench grinder to keep: Baldor or CM block?

[Toymeister]

I am starting to think about what to sell off in anticipation of downsizing. I have several decisions, my first is which grinder to Keep? The 3/4 hp block missing one guard end cap with light, 1/2 hp block light use (very pretty) or 1/3 hp Baldor with two lighted eye guards, little use fairly new.

I have no emotional attachment to any of them although I did save the Baldor from the scrap pile in Afghanistan and shipped it home,

I will have one car stall in retirement for puttering arround. Any of the three will serve me well, all will be overkill. What say you GJ people?

 

[cbacres]

You must be kidding With a question like that on this forum, all three!

The 3/4 HP would be one for sure, you might want to keep ethier of the smaller ones for smaller tasks. You could always put it away on the shelf.

I shudder to think about getting rid of any.

 

[scissorman]

I would keep the Baldor for sure.

 

[Toymeister]

You must be kidding With a question like that on this forum, all three!

The 3/4 HP would be one for sure, you might want to keep ethier of the smaller ones for smaller tasks. You could always put it away on the shelf.

I shudder to think about getting rid of any.

Well as a member from the great state of Florida you should be able to understand. I moved from 48 acres in the North with a 30 X 40 barn to Suburbia 1 acre and 18 X24 garage, retirement will be in one of those planned Florida over 55 communities. A nod to the need to be around others who are retired so I can keep active on hobbies besides the collecting and hoarding of tools.

 

[CNGsaves]

I'll take the 1/2 CM block off your hands to make your decision easier !!

 

[bczygan]

How can you get along with just 3?

One for fine and coarse normal stones or fine and green stones.

One for steel and brass wire wheels.

One for 2 buffs.

And that isn't even a bare minimum. It is LESS than a bare minimum.

In all seriousness, If you HAVE to get rid of one, ship me the 3/4.

Bill (11 and it may just be enough, or maybe not, I need one rigged up for a belt sander.)

 

[Toymeister]

How can you get along with just 3?

One for fine and coarse normal stones or fine and green stones.

One for steel and brass wire wheels.

One for 2 buffs.

And that isn't even a bare minimum.

Bill (11 and it may just be enough, or maybe not, I need one rigged up for a belt sander.)

I have a buffer as well. A belt sanded too!

 

[cgv69]

I would keep the Baldor for sure.

Yes, this is a no brainier IMO

 

[BD1]

There are never enough ! You need backup for the backup to.
Fine , coarse, rough grinding, sharpening wheel, wire wheels, and a buffer. That's a few machines right there.
As for the belt sanders, you need at least a 1'' , 2'' would be handy, 4''x 6'' , 6'' x 48'' ,and a 12'' disc for starters. Sounds like you gotta BUY MORE !

 

[drivesitfar]

TM: do you have room to put 2 on a shelf at the ready? reason i'm asking is it's nice to have a few grinders set up with different wheels, but we all don't own a huge garage or barn. if you make a trailer hitch type attachment on your bench so you can pop in any grinder you need at the time.

i'd make the 3/4 block without a wheel guard putting a wire wheel on it. you'll have a hard time getting a 1/3 Baldor to stall so a couple good stones on it especially with the nice lights.

ok maybe you should buy another grinder.

 

[Davefr]

If you ever plan on wire brushing or buffing then keep the 3/4 HP block. Wire brushing takes way more power then most grinding. (buffing too)

 

[torqueman2002]

Help, help. I really can't be objective! But I will try.

The 3/4 Block is my most used wire wheel grinder; and probably over-kill for most casual users and common home owner jobs.

It really depends on how you will use the grinder and how often (more of an argument for multiple grinders: effort to change wheels/stones/buffing vs. dedicated machines).

Quality & Re-sale CM Block vs. Baldor = Cadillac vs. Mercedes Benz.

If it was me - I'd keep the 3/4-HP Block for wire wheeling and the 1/3-HP Baldor for grinding.

Note - Depending on the CM Block model, some parts can be difficult to find. Like the wheel guards and their covers. If originality is not a concern, non-OEM eye shield replacements can be fitted.

Good luck, keep us posted on what you decide.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Give the ones away to friends/relatives so you can always have use of them when you need them. If not, you can send 'em my way. .

 

[larry_g]

Have a contest. Set all three grinders on a flat bench, turn them on, and the last one on the bench is the keeper. I hate vibrating grinders.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[torqueman2002]

Have a contest. Set all three grinders on a flat bench, turn them on, and the last one on the bench is the keeper. I hate vibrating grinders. ...