I have an older craftsman 6" block grinder. Model# 397.19581. I was looking to put a wire wheel on it and was about the buy a Dewalt 3/4" face wheel for it. I believe it was part #4904 or something. I seen in some reviews on it that it didn't have the best fit in some grinders. Anyone have this type of grinder and if so what wire wheel brand did you go with?
Wire wheel for bench grinder
- Thread starter bigfoot86
- Start date
Junkman
Well-known member
I am very careful when buying a wire wheel, because quality is important. Even wearing a face shield doesn't protect you from a flying wire if it hits you somewhere else on your body. For this reason, I purchase high-quality wheels such as those made by Norton.
Brandon_Lutz
Well-known member
I went with Weiler for mine 4 years ago and it has held up well. I got a a Wolverine medium face wheel from them. No complaints and I'm using an old Craftsman 397-19441 7" model as my grinder.
I think 3/4" width is too big for that grinder. The wire wheel will inevitably grow wider in use and tends to scrape the guard. Even if you remove the guard, as I recommend, a narrower brush performs better for most applications. And if you remove the guard you could use a larger diameter wheel which is more efficient and provides more work clearance
Nutria
Well-known member
I've had good luck with Weiler narrow-face wheels.
I agree 100%. Buy a recognized name brand from an industrial supplier like Granger, MSC or McMaster.
seber
Well-known member
One more thumbs up on stick to quality here. Do not compromise for price. Flying wires are no joke. One other thing to think about is wire size. Larger wires make noticeable marks on steel. On the other hand they do work faster if you have the power to drive them.
51dueller
Well-known member
I'm actually running the 3/4 Dewalt wire wheel on my craftsman. It was missing the side cover when I got it but it doesn't rub on the inside.
Bottlecapdigger
Well-known member
I have a 6” baldor bench grinder I went with a good quality wheel also , same thing I don’t like wires sticking out of my shirt poking me, but what I noticed was that there was a lot of space around the outside diameter between the wheel and the cast iron guard around it. I was able to put a 7” wheel and double stack it. I have a coarse wheels on one side and fine on the other. Grinding is done on my 2x72” belt grinder. BCD.
driftpin
Well-known member
Another Weiler wire wheel vote. Once I tried a big box store Diablo, and it was so out of balance, it made my not bolted down motor hop like it had the palsy. Also a vote for a full face-shield.
hefnerconstructionlc
Well-known member
The DeWalt wire wheel is very good for the price. We cleaned miles of steel with it for a church restoration project.
Nutria
Well-known member
+1. I also pull on a leather welding jacket when I'm not feeling lazy.
Upon the feedback I ordered a Weiler wheel with a 5/8” narrow face. I’m thinking that I possibly might have to throw a spacer or two on the shaft as it looks like the wheels on there now sit closer to the inside. Also looking at purchasing a full face cover. Don’t want to spend an arm an a leg on one though.
Nutria
Well-known member
This one is pretty affordable. I'm sure that there are many similar ones.
Dr.JohnnyFever
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2008
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This one is pretty affordable. I'm sure that there are many similar ones.
+1 on that. I have one and often use it when grinding. Adequately comfortable also.