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  1. #1
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    Default Bench grinder advice

    Im looking at getting a bench grinder mainly for lathe tool grinding. I was originaly going to get a 600watt 200mm abbot and ashby. But ive been looking at 2nd hand ones, these are usualy cheap low powered ones. My question is would i get away with a low powered grinder? Ovbiously more power the better but if i can spend less money for the somewhat same job then thats going to be a better option.

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  3. #2
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    Jun 2012
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    Quote Originally Posted by brendanh View Post
    My question is would i get away with a low powered grinder? Ovbiously more power the better but if i can spend less money for the somewhat same job then thats going to be a better option.
    Yes, for tool grinding you don't need a lot of power.

    Be aware that second hand bench grinders can look OK, but it's a lottery as to how they've been treated and what condition they are inside. They also have very poor/limited cooling.

    Like air tools, you can't see what shape they are in as it's a sealed unit.

    So it's buyer beware.

    Unless it was very recent, and a good brand, I would rather buy new.
    The worst that can happen is you will fail.
    But at least you tried.



  4. #3
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    Default

    Would a 150mm 250watt be ok? Grinding up to 16mm tools. Mainly 12mm tho

  5. #4
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    Feb 2006
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    Perth
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    Quote Originally Posted by nearnexus View Post
    Yes, for tool grinding you don't need a lot of power.
    Be aware that second hand bench grinders can look OK, but it's a lottery as to how they've been treated and what condition they are inside. They also have very poor/limited cooling.
    Like air tools, you can't see what shape they are in as it's a sealed unit.
    So it's buyer beware.
    Unless it was very recent, and a good brand, I would rather buy new.
    Or very old school , some of those old grinders have run for decades and are usually built to run for many more.
    I traded my 35 year chinese 8" grinder for this one from the mens shed as it was taking up too much room at the mens shed.
    It's a real pleasure to use, quiet, unassuming and rock solid.

    The critical thing for tool grinding is the vibe - that covers run out and wheel balance etc. It may be possible to reduce the vibe with a new wheel but maybe not.
    Actually try and use the grinder to grind some tool steel if you can

    Although not much power is needed for tool grinding, bigger grinders have more rotational inertia so provided they are right from the start small changes in wheels have less of an effect on them.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
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    Perth
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    10,810

    Default

    I'm also looking for another 8" grinder, one to dedicate to lathe tools.

    I have avoided the real cheapies, for three reasons: the first is that I want a minimum of 3/4 hp and, preferably, 1 hp. The second is that the bearings of the cheapies are likely to last about a year, perhaps a little longer. The third reason is that I want a 5/8" spindle, and not 16mm. Unfortunately, the latter may only be found on a older machine. I'd ideally like a half-speed machine (is anyone still selling them?) but a full speed will do for HSS chisels.

    The reason for the above is that you will really want to add a CBN wheel to the grinder. I have a half-speed grinder set up for flat woodworking, and this is amazing. The CBN wheels (180and 80 grit) grind fast, with precision, and the wheels do not wear.

    So, spend the extra on a decent machine. It will save you down the track.

    Regards from Perth

    Derek
    Visit www.inthewoodshop.com for tutorials on constructing handtools, handtool reviews, and my trials and tribulations with furniture builds.

  7. #6
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    Default this is mine

    DSCF4600.jpgworks great. Is it worth anything?
    Attached Images Attached Images

  8. #7
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    Default

    So you think spend the money?

  9. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by brendanh View Post
    So you think spend the money?
    Unless you can find a good old one that the seller has no idea of the value.
    A used Waldon will normally set you back a lot more than a cheap new one although of course will outlast and out perform latter.

  10. #9
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    Forgot to mention the amount ot use iy woukd get would be very minimal as i usualy run carbide. That was part reason for getting a cheapy. Just the cheapys lack any hp. Which im not sure if decent hp is required

  11. #10
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    It is if you want to put any load on the wheel and not shag around.

  12. #11
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    Feb 2015
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    Oz
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    Default Gremlins again???

    I have a 6" cheapy that I bought around 8 years ago, boy have those shed gremlins been busy: that's 7 bearing sets they've replaced when I wasn't looking. I wish they'd concentrate on something useful though, like helping out my 8" GMF with some grunt!

  13. #12
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    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge SA
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    I'd be inclined to but the better quality one, that you would be able to pass on to the grand kids, rather than replacing it every 2-3 years. Cheap ones have too many problems, spindles bend easy, seen them where they strip the thread,(someone thought it was a right hand thread on the left hand side trying to undo it, and used a lump of pipe) fine thread.
    Do you sharpen the carbide tooling, or is it the replacement tips you use.
    Kryn

  14. #13
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    Aug 2008
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    Adelaide
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    Buying an under-powered grinder can be a false economy, once you have a grinder you will find more and more uses for it and will end up ruing the fact that it lacks grunt. Just don't have the grinder anywhere near your lathe and/or mill!

  15. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore View Post
    I'd be inclined to but the better quality one, that you would be able to pass on to the grand kids, rather than replacing it every 2-3 years. Cheap ones have too many problems, spindles bend easy, seen them where they strip the thread,(someone thought it was a right hand thread on the left hand side trying to undo it, and used a lump of pipe) fine thread.
    Do you sharpen the carbide tooling, or is it the replacement tips you use.
    Kryn
    Ive got carbide tips, i do have some brazed caribide bits that could do with a sharpen tho ive read you cant really sharpen carbide unless you got a dimond wheel and that sounds expensive.

  16. #15
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    Jun 2007
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    Default

    Silicon carbide (green)

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