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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    Orange NSW
    Age
    37
    Posts
    14

    Default Restoring a NIP Hand-Cranked Grinder

    Apologies if this is in the wrong spot, I'm still learning what goes where in the forum.

    A couple of weeks ago I was able to secure an old NIP hand-cranked grinder as a 'restore to use' project. Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of the grinder in its initial condition, but suffice to say that it was covered in several decades' worth of old grease, swarf and workshop detritus.

    On arrival, my first task was to disassemble the grinder and check/clean any rust out of the internal workings. This proved to be the hardest part of the whole undertaking, as the screwdriver slots in all of the bolt heads were in very sad condition. One of these was so far gone that I had to employ a bit of careful hacksaw work to cut a new slot. Fortunately, disassembly revealed that the inside of the grinder is in very good condition, with no rust and all the gear teeth in pristine order.

    The next part was the dirtiest. Degreasing and removing the aforementioned grub and grime. It was a filthy job, enough said.

    Next, sanding back and treating the winding handle with a much needed coat of linseed oil. Oddly, the handle was in very good condition for its age and still retained much of the original paint. Even though the grinder was absolutely filthy, I don't think it had ever been exposed to the elements.

    Then, onto re-assembly. The damaged bolts were replaced with new brass fittings - not quite a match for the original, but better than any of the other options I had available.

    Finally, here is a picture of the end result. It's not a perfect restoration, as I wanted something to use rather than a pretty object. Apologies for the sideways rotation, technology is not my friend tonight.

    FB676FA7-AFE1-4E48-91D6-7ED36A638B73.jpg
    A couple of pointers for someone considering restoring the same model of grinder.

    1. They do not accept standard small (6in) grinding wheels. A 5 or 4 inch wheel will fit, but these are a little hard to track down. I'm still waiting on one ordered overseas via Ebay.
    2. The clamp opening/jaw will only effectively grip a surface that is about 30 to 35mm thick. If your bench or worktable is thicker than this, an additional jig or support of some kind will be required (mine is still a WIP).

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Petone, NZ
    Age
    68
    Posts
    2,808

    Default

    Welcome.

    I use a hand cranked grinder for all chisel and plane iron grinding. I used to get blued corners from the powered grinder - no matter how careful I thought I was being. Now cured.

    We'll be wanting more pictures (of course), especially when you have it set up with the new wheel. What do you have for a tool rest?

    It's difficult to get slotted set screws these days. What thread (and what length) and I'll have a look through my modest collection?

    I'd have put this in the "Antique and Collectable Tools" section myself, as it's not motorized - but it's not really clear where stuff should go (and technically this is a machine).

    Cheers, Vann.
    Gatherer of rusty planes tools...
    Proud member of the Wadkin Blockhead Club .

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    Rockhampton
    Posts
    439

    Default

    Will be interested in your restoration, Dan, I have a Niagara Hand grinder that I bought a few months ago to restore and set up for grinding Gouges. It has a couple of stones that came with it fortunately.
    Gaza

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    950

    Default

    I picked up a 4” diamond wheel on eBay a while back for about ten dollars. Took a while to arrive in the post, but eventually made it through. Our post office over here is notorious for losing parcels, and being slow, especially anything the includes customs clearance, I’m pretty sure your first world post office is a lot safer.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    Rockhampton
    Posts
    439

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Colin62 View Post
    I picked up a 4” diamond wheel on eBay a while back for about ten dollars. Took a while to arrive in the post, but eventually made it through. Our post office over here is notorious for losing parcels, and being slow, especially anything the includes customs clearance, I’m pretty sure your first world post office is a lot safer.

    Colin,
    Not so sure about our post office either..... They lost a chisel on me last month... Got as far as the delivery guy... but he delivered it to the wrong address and he couldn't remember where..... So the story goes.... Who ever has it wouldn't even know what they had... probably using it to clean morter off bricks or stir paint with it.
    Gaza

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    Orange NSW
    Age
    37
    Posts
    14

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Vann View Post
    Welcome.

    I use a hand cranked grinder for all chisel and plane iron grinding. I used to get blued corners from the powered grinder - no matter how careful I thought I was being. Now cured.

    We'll be wanting more pictures (of course), especially when you have it set up with the new wheel. What do you have for a tool rest?

    It's difficult to get slotted set screws these days. What thread (and what length) and I'll have a look through my modest collection?

    I'd have put this in the "Antique and Collectable Tools" section myself, as it's not motorized - but it's not really clear where stuff should go (and technically this is a machine).

    Cheers, Vann.
    Ha. Seems I'm not so crazy after all. I'm a reasonable hand with a standard bench grinder, but no way do I want one of those anywhere near a tool edge (or my 3 year old son).

    I'll get back to you regarding the screws, and thanks for the offer. They don't thread into the casing at all, simply into a nut on the opposite side.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Location
    Orange NSW
    Age
    37
    Posts
    14

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Gaza58 View Post
    Colin,
    Not so sure about our post office either..... They lost a chisel on me last month... Got as far as the delivery guy... but he delivered it to the wrong address and he couldn't remember where..... So the story goes.... Who ever has it wouldn't even know what they had... probably using it to clean morter off bricks or stir paint with it.
    Gaza
    Seems like problems with the post are one of those universal things. Like death etc.

    Even living in a (relatively) major centre I've had things go missing or get delivered to the wrong place.

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