The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest bench grinder question

My very old Wilton just died. Not repairable, so if you have purchased a bench grinder in the last year or so, what make/model did you buy? How many amps or h/p did you opt for? Currently looking at Wilton, Delta & Dewalt...1/2 h/p range. Please let me know your experiences. Thanks,

Hank

Not real cheap but Baldor makes some nice ones that I think are a fair value given the quality.
If you get one I doubt you'll ever kill it.

I forget the HP of mine, but guessing 1/2 to 3/4 and about 6" or 8" wheel, seems plenty big. For anything bigger a belt sander is nice.

Thanks Grigg, I'll add that to my search list and see what I can find. Is yours variable speed? If so, do you find that valuable?

Hank

Nope, just one speed, and don't think I'd use the variable speed much if I had it, but hard to say without trying.

Grigg

We use Baldor grinders and consider them the best. I'm not sure what the purpose of variable speed would be. Baldor is expensive. A good medium priced brand is Jet. Jet is owned by the same company that owns Wilton.

I checked and Jet is sold by Northern tool here locally. I know at one time Baldor was U.S. made, I am not too sure about that anymore. I appreciate the reccommendations.

Hank

Hank, my only comment would be to get a 3/4 horse. Your young and will have many uses for it over your long lifetime and a 3/4 horse will get the job done.

EDIT: I might add that anyone planning to do a lot of "brush work" on a grinder should opt for the bigger wheels. Sometimes there just ain't enough wheel for some jobs!

Thanks Alvin, I need to do some brush work on some pieces for sure.

Hank

Just checked mine,
Baldor 3/4 HP 8" wheels, 3600 rpm. Great for tool grinding.
an old Cincinnati, 1/2 HP, 3600 rpm. same thing
Home made one with pillow blocks and a belt drive, probably 1,800 rpm or less, great for wire brushing and buffing with cloth wheels and compound.

If all you want to do is wire brush and buff stuff buy a "buffer" not a "grinder" the buffer doesn't have the guards or rest, or as much of them, so easy to manipulate parts around the wheel.

Grigg

I bought the cheapest one I could find for like $20 and traded it to my dad for the one my grandfather used for decades. I've no idea what brand the old one is, and so far my 81 year-old dad has never even turned on the cheap one I got him to replace it.

About 4 yrs ago I got a Dewalt 8" 3/4hp 3600 rpm for $121 and have used it regulary with no complaints. Got the fine wheel for tool use and a wire brush on the other side.