Low speed bench grinders..

**Macleod** · 21st August 2012, 10:40 PM

Hello, I've just got some queries(spelling?) about a few low speed bench grinders for sharpening my HSS woodturning tools. At the moment I just have a small hobby grinder thats speed variable anywhere from 1000 rpm to 9,999 rpm(it's only a wee baby, so I dont get stone wheels flying at me lol). I was thinking of upgrading at some point in time to a larger grinder, perhaps with one of the wide aluminium wheels.

Well there are a few advertised here and there. Sydney Tools have a Carba-tec 8" low speed grinder(1475rpm) for $249. This seems to be the one that is within my price range and I don't suffer for quality. Are there any other better ones out there? I've seen the Creusen ones, they're about $360 each but travel at about double the rpm as the carba-tec one.

And where can one find replacement grinding wheels? All these places seem to only sell the grinders and not any replacement wheels...or has it just gotten to the stage these days that we buy a whole new grinder?

**ClintO** · 26th August 2012, 09:10 PM

It would be nice if there were some slow speed grinders at reasonable prices

**Jim Carroll** · 27th August 2012, 09:43 AM

The Creusen 6" slow speed grinder is a great little machine and coupled with the CBN wheel makes it a better machine again.

The bonus of the CBN wheel on the slow grinder is a lot less heat than on a standard grinder.
And not having to worry about the wheels wearing out or readjusting the jig everytime you dress the wheel.

You have constant settings with your jigs giving you repeatability every time.

**ClintO** · 28th August 2012, 12:56 PM

Jim, I wish there was a cheaper option for slow speed, Low cost bench grinders are everywhere but none are slow speed

**snafuspyramid** · 4th September 2012, 11:54 AM

Have you considered using a vintage hand grinder with Norton white wheel? Should cost you well under $100 and works very, very well.

You can get an extremely precise grind right to the edge, with a little practice, because you can slow the wheel to whatever pace you want. With a high speed grinder, if you attempt to grind to the edge, you will tend to burn the tool (because the very thin metal edge can't diffuse heat as quickly). It's still possible to burn your tools with a hand grinder, but you'd never do so by accident.

They are also very portable (just clamp it on to your bench when you need it); don't require a stand; are safer than an electric model; make almost no noise; and require surprisingly little effort to use.

Regardless of the type of grinder you purchase you should probably consider the cost of an aftermarket tool rest. This is especially important with the hand grinder where you only use one hand to guide the tool.The Veritas one is excellent and costs around $65. You can always make your own, but this is tricky.

My hand grinder was something more of a learning curve than an electric model, but after fifteen minutes practice you'll be an expert.

**Chris Parks** · 4th September 2012, 12:48 PM

Use a three phase motor, belt drive it to a bearing pedestal and use a VFD. You will have any speed you want.

**snafuspyramid** · 4th September 2012, 10:23 PM

Masters now sell a low speed wet grinder for around $130, which could be worth a look. Of course you get what you pay for...

**derekcohen** · 5th September 2012, 01:24 AM

I do not see the point of getting a low speed dry or wet grinder for turning chisels which are usually HSS. Now grinding O1 or A2 plane blades is another matter.

Get a cheaper high speed dry grinder for your turning chisels.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Thread: Low speed bench grinders..

Thread Tools

Search Thread

Low speed bench grinders..

Creusen & CBN wheels

Similar Threads

Best dresser for bench grinders

Low speed grinders advice please.

Slow Speed Grinders

bench grinders

Bench Grinders

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions