The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest WILTON BENCH GRINDER

Anyone with any experience with this product? Good or bad?

link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...amp;pf_rd_p=463383351&pf_rd_i=507846

product description:
The Wilton 8-inch bench grinder features a powerful 1 horsepower motor for speedy material removal, plus adjustable tool rests that help you keep your workpiece steady and under control. Its adjustable light illuminates your work area, and the eye shields provide perfectly clear viewing of your grinding operation. Its heavy-duty metal base increases durability and stability, and the rubber feet dampen vibration. The 17205 also features an on/off rocker switch and an aluminum oxide grinding wheel (included) -- 8 by 3/4 inches with a 1/2-inch arbor. This machine operates at 3,450 rpm.

Thanks,

Hank

Lets see,eight inch grinder for $69.,sounds like a pretty good deal to me. I bought a six inch Craftsman grinder about 10 years ago for about that price. Mine is still working AOK after all these years.

Hank,

I don't have experience with that particular grinder but have a few comments. IMHO, the only thing "Wilton" about the grinder is the little sticker on it that says Wilton. It is a cookie cutter clone of all the small bench grinders made in China.

It has the same flimsy, stamped steel tool rests and rocker switch that all the imports do. Finding a American made grinder today is probably darn near impossible, so considering this, your intended purchase seems great.

If you go to the Harbor Freight site, you will find almost exact copies of your grinder, at a tad less cost. All these units work OK...they remove material. Baldor 'might' still make a grinder that is made on this continent, but I doubt it. I bought one years ago and made sure I got husky, cast iron tool rests with it.

When I worked in the mill, I bought a 6" HF grinder and a 10" HF grinder. I used them hard and they stood up quite well. If the arbors are true and the bearings sufficient, all the technology is in the grinding wheel itself. This is where you want to put your money.

I still resent manufacturers sticking well know brand names on these imports and trying to convince John Q Public that, because of the lineage of the brand name, these things are anything more than cheap imports. We Americans shop price, and this is what evolved..things priced right from China.

I suggest you buy the unit you have linked, it's exactly the same as any other grinder you will find anywhere you look.

Stuart

man that's sad. i guess we better hold on to our wilton vises. i bought a brand name tool grinder a couple of years back to sharpen lathe bits on. i was not real impressed with the quality- it was made offshore. mabey you can find a good used old one. might sniff around the pawn shops. good luck, hr

Thanks for the feedback Stuart. I remember my Dad's shop had Wilton, had no idea it was now offshore crap as well.

Hank

Checked Baldor's website:
From our home office
in Fort Smith, Arkansas,
we support the sales
offices/warehouses that
stock Baldor products
worldwide, selling to
distributors and original
equipment manufacturers
in more than 70 countries.
Baldor products are
available from 50 sales
offices/warehouses in
North America and 26
offices serving
international markets.
These products are
produced at 26 plants
in the US, Canada, England,
Mexico and China.

Maybe there's a chance a part of it is made here?

been using my Wilton vice for about 30 years. Replace the jaws once....don't know about their other products.

Hey Alvin,

Saw your p.m. from oct. when I logged on yesterday and replied. Hope you got it, if not, let me know and I will get contact info. to ya. Hope you had a good New Year!

Hank

If you want to buy American check and see if there is any used equipment dealers in your area that handle small tools like bench grinders. Some times you can find industrial pedestal or bench grinders at a good price. The last trip I made to our local dealer he had a 2 HP baldor for a $100.