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11:33 pm
May 9, 2011
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I am piecing together my first shop and have been looking at bench grinders. There are quite a few out there, new and old... So many that I am having a difficult time making a decision about which to buy. Can anyone lend some advice on this?
-There are a tonne of cheap models around and then there are the ones in the $200 - $300 range. Aside from the standard "you get what you pay for" adage, what are the significant differences between the ranges?... bells and whistles, or fit/finish/quality (or both)?
-What is the advantage of the larger wheel diameter (6" vs. 8" models)?
-What about variable speed models... is this a useful function to pay extra for, or would I be best served buying a separate machine for polishing/buffing?
-What about wheels and discs for certain models? I have noticed that some manufacturers seem to have more than others... does this matter or are most wheels interchangeable?
-Should I try to find a used, but possibly better built model, or should I just go with a new, Chinese-produced one?
-I see 1/2, 1/3 and 1 HP models; how important is the unit's power output?
I have conducted the usual searches and what I found ultimately ended up contributing little to my understanding due to the sheer volume of manufacturers and models available... each of which claim to be the recipient of some user "best of" award. Most of these hits are just mildly sophisticated ads. So rather than trust them, I thought I would trust the NWBA :smug: If someone has recommendations on make/model, I would appreciate it a great deal.
Thanks in advance...
Aaron
12:46 am
September 23, 2011
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IMO bench grinders are kind of worthless. You may want to look in to a belt sander, and something with at least 1HP, preferable higher. I think Larry posted a link about a grinder in a box, a do it your self kit. That would be a good way to go if you're handy. Probably the best bang for your buck, for a nice machine. Also a variable speed model is very handy if you plan on doing any fine detail grinding, or knife making
Saign
---------------
http://www.saignc.com
1:32 am
NWBA Member
August 7, 2010
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Good Morning,
There are bench grinders and then there are bench grinders. If you don't make a mistake (LOL) you don't need a grinder. if you are counting on a grinder for detail work then you could be called a GrinderSmith.:playfull:
For detail work like sharpening drill bits and lathe bits, a 6" 1/3-1/2 hp is ample. You will need a green stone for sharpening carbide, a fine stone for sharpening Drill Bits and a course stone for getting rid of owies, so you can finish it with a fine. I have used average quality 1/3hp grinders, the same one for over 20 years. For heavier grinding I use a 3/4hp, 8" with a 24 grit stone (courser than the course stone). If you have to remove a lot of material fast, use a 6-7" angle grinder.
Either way, if you slip while grinding and you don't have leather gloves on, you will leak red paint, maybe even make your fingers shorter. The Medical Clinic will be able to pick the large chunks out of your eye, if you don't wear a GOOD!!!! face shield &/or safety glasses. If you continue to not wear eye protection, soon you won't have a problem seeing, curtains!! Hearing protection if you wish to hear the little people and respirator mask so you don't eat all the grinder/glue/metal/carbide/garbage particulates.
I would purchase an inexpensive 6" bench grinder and see if you can wear it out. If you do, then you are abusing it and you will have a better idea what you really need. There is no PERFECT!!
Belt Grinders are all over the map. Knife makers like to use 1-2" wide belts, the longer the belt the cooler the belt runs. Grizzly Tools has a good 2"x72" belt grinder for about $400.00. Belts are about 8-15.00 each, not cheap but they are good for finishing.
Start with what you can afford, if it breaks or fails, you are not out a lot of money, but you have learned!!
There is no, one grinder that does everything.
Neil
As long as we are above our shoes, We know where we are.:happy:
1:41 am
May 9, 2011
Offline
Thanks to both of you for your responses.
$400 for a belt grinder is a lot cheaper than I thought they ran... in that price range, I might skip the bench grinder altogether and go straight for the belt instead!
Does the bench grinder have no use in a smithy at all? I would have thought there would be a myriad possible (and very helpful) ways such a unit would help. But this is exactly why I posted the question here, where the experience lives. I really appreciate your help on this 🙂
3:06 am
NWBA Member
June 8, 2010
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I have found that having a bench grinder mounted with a wire wheel is an invaluable tool, for taking the scale off forging, and polishing small parts... Remember this::devil: The wire wheel WILL rip pieces out of your hand, and throw them back in your face!!! Great tool, IMHO. The grinder part; I get a lot more done with a wheel on an angle grinder.
Cheers, Lynn
4:59 am
NWBA Member
August 7, 2010
Offline
Good Morning,
Bench grinder, Angle grinder, Belt grinder, Die grinder all have specific jobs. Not one replaces the other. The road that you are talking of walking down, has no limits, it has no end, it has no compassion. Once you use one tool, you will see a way to do something with another tool, then another tool, another tool, etc. etc. etc. If you put a wall up for your thinking process, it will last a little while, not a long while.
Start with what you can afford, not what someone else thinks you should have. Always save a little bit of your hard earned coin for a rainy day. Desires and wants are not necessities. Start by using what you have, a thinking mind and hand tools. Hand tools that you make yourself. Learning how to make your own tools also shows you ways to use other tools to make certain jobs easier on the body and mind. Start with little steps, DON'T follow someone else footsteps!! Create your own signature and foot-prints!![Image Can Not Be Found]
just my $0.02
Neil
As long as we are above our shoes, We know where we are.:happy:
4:19 am
NWBA Member
June 8, 2010
Offline
Neil Gustafson;15606 wrote: Good Morning,
Bench grinder, Angle grinder, Belt grinder, Die grinder all have specific jobs. Not one replaces the other. The road that you are talking of walking down, has no limits, it has no end, it has no compassion. Once you use one tool, you will see a way to do something with another tool, then another tool, another tool, etc. etc. etc. If you put a wall up for your thinking process, it will last a little while, not a long while.
Start with what you can afford, not what someone else thinks you should have. Always save a little bit of your hard earned coin for a rainy day. Desires and wants are not necessities. Start by using what you have, a thinking mind and hand tools. Hand tools that you make yourself. Learning how to make your own tools also shows you ways to use other tools to make certain jobs easier on the body and mind. Start with little steps, DON'T follow someone else footsteps!! Create your own signature and foot-prints!![Image Can Not Be Found]
just my $0.02
Neil
Good Job, Neil!!!
I totally agree.. Use what you've got, create what you need... One can spend so much money on tools they think they need!!! ...And most of the time, they don't use them but once.
2:59 pm
June 24, 2010
Offline
I'd probably buy the cheapest 6" grinder I could find. Grinders are pretty simple, and a cheap one may do all you need.
If you wear it out, you can replace it with a better one. Or even one just the same. And if you find you don't have much use for it -- or that you can't live without a bench grinder, but you need better quality -- you won't be out much.
6:35 am
May 9, 2011
Offline
All great advice gentlemen; thank you very much.
I may just get a cheap one and in the meantime, save some dosh for a decent belt grinder.
Cheers!
Aaron
2:30 am
July 30, 2012
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I work in a shop that has a typical grinder set up, it's like an 8 inch on a pedestal but the wheel is like a tire and uses a 2 inch wide belt that tightens when you start it up. The belts come in varying grit and are quickly changed for a different task. I believe he gets the wheels/ belts from Graingers industrial sales, it's the first grinder I have used in a long time. At home I have a disc sander with a belt both having a platen table and a 72 inch/ 2 inch belt sander. I use that a lot as well. For removing rust and scale I have a smaller sand blast cabinet that is really quick and easy.
5:00 am
November 6, 2018
Offline
Id say baldor is probably king, but everybody knows how much they are and charge accordingly for used, so unless you can wait for a few months while you find one, those are my 2 top picks. Stay away from Task Force.
2:00 pm
NWBA Member
April 19, 2010
Offline
My Dewalt 8" has served me well and hard for decades now.....
9:47 pm
April 3, 2019
Offline
IMO, the best bench grinder is a belt grinder, plus an 8" bench grinder set up with 2 wire wheels - fine on one side and coarse on the other.
After using grinding wheels for 40+ years, I have recently become a belt grinder convert. A belt grinder it provides greater speed, flexibility, control, and incredible versatility. It provides the ability to change from massive stock removal to mirror finish (and anywhere in between) with a belt change that takes a few seconds. After using a decent belt grinder, a grinding wheel seems like a relic from the stone age.
Here's a nice grinder review:
https://wisepick.org/best-bench-grinder/
4:23 am
October 4, 2019
Offline
I would also like to know this.
4:32 am
December 23, 2020
Offline
Bench grinders are used for a wide variety of applications. So, it's hard to recommend you one without knowing the exact reason you're searching. If you're a moderate user, you can spend dollars on the Metabo DS 200 8 inch bench grinder at Amazon. No doubt, it'll be the great value for money
8:06 am
September 7, 2021
Offline
Roger Parker said
Bench grinders are used for a wide variety of applications. So, it's hard to recommend you one without knowing the exact reason you're searching. If you're a moderate user, you can spend dollars on the Metabo DS 200 8 inch bench grinder at Amazon. No doubt, it'll be the great value for money
I would like to know about this subject. because this is what I need right now. It's parts are expensive and hard to find.
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