Thread: Bench Grinders

hi mate I have a ryobi thats runns very well. and has done for years
plus a abblot and ashby that i have no complatnts about.
the gaurds and tool rests on the later is far superer to the ryobi.
why not go for an 8' inch model

I got an 8" abbot and ashby, had it for about 12 years and all good. I recently bought a S/H, very old Peerless, it's very rounded, beefy and very nice. My new A & A cost me around $120 (from memory) and my Peerless cost $40. I prefer the old Peerless!

If you have the time and patients, look for old S/H if that sort of thing floats your boat. In truth, there is not a lot to them so I don't think you can make a big mistake with any of the known brands. The older ones just seem to be built heavier, bigger and have more robust tool/hand rests.

Simon

I think the more important thing is you are using the correct type of stone in the wheels for his not the grey one that will come on the grinder at purchase. Someone on here will be able to advise what you need.

Go the Abbot & Ashby, I have had mine, a 150mm since 1983, not problems with it at all, one side has the Linisher kit installed on it, the other just a grey grinding wheel. I ditched the standard rests and made up some better ones out of 5" angle iron for grinding. The 150mm is ok for smaller HSS tool bits to grind, the 8" A&A is better, will be getting one of those end of this month. Check out ToolMart or Veneables.

DD

The 8" A&A is OK for the money - I got one for about $140 (can't remember where).

I bought it to replace my Taiwanese Futura Industries unit (same size) which burnt out after 40 years hard use (jeeze you'd think the Asians would at least make something which would last).

The only negative with the A&A is that they use a right hand thread on both ends of the shaft. The better ones like my old Futura had LH and RH threads, so it's easier /better to tighten the nuts when changing stones/brushes etc.

It seems to run OK and fairly cool.

8" is the size I would recommend - more guts than the smaller stuff.

Rob

The Abbot and Ashley 8 inch works well. I fitted mine with aluminium oxide wheels from the Sandpaper Man. Mine is only a few years old but works well. I bought it after seeing a friend's 30 year old one, still going strong.


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Originally Posted by nearnexus

The only negative with the A&A is that they use a right hand thread on both ends of the shaft. The better ones like my old Futura had LH and RH threads, so it's easier /better to tighten the nuts when changing stones/brushes etc.

Rob

Hi Rob,
The A & A I use at work has left and right hand threads. Unless someone has put a home built shaft in it.....

Phil

I fear the quality of bench grinders, even those current well known name brands have slipped badly.

I have a Peerless 8" - 900W, only a few years old and it is made with RH threads each end. The small dinky toy alloy rests have been replaced with mans size 7 x 75 x8mm angle.

The Peerless bearings are so so . A really good older model to chase would be the heavy duty GMC grinder if you can still find one. The cast iron rests were mounted on 16mm (5/8") rods so its easy to ID them. When switched off the bearings are so good they run on for a couple of minutes.

Failing that, vendors like trade tools Qld

https://www.tradetools.com/Category/...bench-grinders

have a 8" 900W Bench grinder for $178 which I thought was good value for money.


Grahame

Originally Posted by Grahame Collins

Failing that, vendors like trade tools Qld

https://www.tradetools.com/Category/...bench-grinders

have a 8" 900W Bench grinder for $178 which I thought was good value for money.

That one appears to be identical to the new offering from Vicmarc in every way except two:
The VM is halfspeed (which may or may not suit metalwork)
The Go Fast Orange paintjob

The VM is available from Carroll's for $269.50 in Melbourne - there is a VM dealer in WA - it's a behemoth of a thing at around 30kgs IIRC.

It may well be worthwhile adding a CBN wheel to whatever grinder you purchase. They appear to be the wheel of the future.

Unless it was in pristine condition, I'd be very wary of buying a s/hand grinder.

There's no way to know how it's been treated (stalled) and they have no fan cooling.

The durability factor seems to vary between makes.

My bro-inlaw (rough as guts) has an old 8" Skil which surprisingly is still going.

The LH/RH nut thing really pisses me off, what difference would it make to the cost ? Just stupidity at the design level.

Rob

Hi All,
My thoughts wood be a little different.
I think the further the Wheels are away from the Body, the better it might be.
That wood allow you to use a greater angle to do some jobs.
I have 3 Grinders;

6in. ½HP Ryobi, 60G.WW one side 8in. Wire Wheel RH side, great machine, done heaps. Did a Demo Yonks ago, & it was my Payment.

6in. ½HP SMT. 60 & 120Grit White Wheels, paid $58 absolute years ago, at TWwWShow, & hasn't missed a beat. Stops quite quickly. It is for Sharpening of my Turning Tools.

8in. 1HP Webster, 2 Grey Wheels, from a friend $20. Heaven.
Runs forever when turned off, great machine.

Originally Posted by DSEL74

I think the more important thing is you are using the correct type of stone in the wheels for his not the grey one that will come on the grinder at purchase. Someone on here will be able to advise what you need.

Yes I know the stone type is important White alox for HSS and Green for tungsten carbide sharpening

Originally Posted by woodfast

I am looking to buy a new bench grinder 150mm to use on HSS lathe tools there are quite a few on the market has anyone had much to do
and could recommend a brand which is good and have no end play some I have seen are really bad flopping side to side any
suggestions welcome. Also the slow wet wheel grinders cheap from Bunnings any thoughts

I started with a 150mm bench grinder but it did not have the grunt for 5/16 and better HSS lathe bits. I have tried a wet wheel for HSS but aside from lapping edges the water stone is not meant for aggressive stock removal like that of a bench grinder. For the sharpening jobs its designed for the Tormek wheel is fabulous.

There,s a plethora of bench grinders available and that is a problem sorting the crap from the good ones as many are identical in the castings but will vary in the quality of the switches ,the wheel rests, the armature quality, safety shields the bearings and features like LH/RH spindle threads.

The idea of a tool or machine being a long lasting keeper is fast fading and many of us choose to source a tool in good condition.Our grand kids may never know the pride of ownership in a tool that's 30,40 or fifty years old.

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

That one appears to be identical to the new offering from Vicmarc in every way except two:
The VM is halfspeed (which may or may not suit metalwork)
The Go Fast Orange paintjob

The VM is available from Carroll's for $269.50 in Melbourne - there is a VM dealer in WA - it's a behemoth of a thing at around 30kgs IIRC.

It may well be worthwhile adding a CBN wheel to whatever grinder you purchase. They appear to be the wheel of the future.

Forgive my lack of knowledge what is CBN wheel