Bench Grinders

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I am looking at a Dewalt 6 or 8" bench grinder as I can not afford a Metabo.

What about 6 vs 8 inch versions? Is the 6 inch enough or is the 8 inch version just worth it? I don't want to look to bourgeoisie here.

I am building my Sunco cabinet into a fabrication table, and this will be the last item it needs. I wanted a old one, but i cannot wait anymore.

[Palf70Step]

I have both and have not been able to do anything more with the 8" than I did with my older 6". Grinder or wire brush wise anyways. I think as long as the wheel is good quality and balance, both can do the same.

[Stormin08]

using it for polishing maybe the only real difference...most shops that have employed me have only had 6" at largest

[The Rocknrod]

I've had a 6" for 20 years and now want an 8". So this Christmas...

[mongocanfly]

If the budget will allow I would highly suggest looking for a unit that has the rock on one end and the sanding belt on the other...we rarely use the rock anymore...
This is a Eastwood pic but shows what I'm describing

[special-K]

If you are going for great quality it is Baldor. Might not be as good as at one time, but mine is old, and it is a 7".

I just looked and see now they are Baldor-Reliance. Not sure if that's a good thing. Can't go wrong with used, though. I've used mine for 30 years and would buy one that age in a heartbeat. I just searched used Baldor bench grinders and got plenty of results

[72c20customcamper]

I have an old 6” Black n decker American made one. But I only use it to buff metals . My go to for grinding and sanding metal is a Jet belt and disc sander/grinder

[Dead Parrot]

Pay attention to the HP rating. I have an old Made in China 6" grinder with a 1/5 hp motor that I bought years ago.

Often have to lighten up on the grinding or it will bog down. But with patience, it gets the job done.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by special-K

If you are going for great quality it is Baldor. Might not be as good as at one time, but mine is old, and it is a 7".

I just looked and see now they are Baldor-Reliance. Not sure if that's a good thing. Can't go wrong with used, though. I've used mine for 30 years and would buy one that age in a heartbeat. I just searched used Baldor bench grinders and got plenty of results

Baldor sells industrial to heavy industrial versions. All well beyond my need or price point.

Which is probably why the used models I have seen cost so much.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

If the budget will allow I would highly suggest looking for a unit that has the rock on one end and the sanding belt on the other...we rarely use the rock anymore...
This is a Eastwood pic but shows what I'm describing

I do like that item alot, but the stone+wire brush are what I need.

If I ever get my small forge up, and running. Plus actually use it. That would be quite the ticket though.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

thanks guys,

When I go to get it I will pay attention to the hp/amps rating more.

I may spring for the 8" if it not to big as I have to limited table top space to work with. It's not tight. But I don't want to throw caution to the wind. Which is whynthe 6" sounded better on paper.

[truckster]

I have a 6" Delta with a stone on one side and a wire wheel on the other. It works great for my needs. Sometimes if I get impatient I can bog it down, but by that time I'm usually burning the metal anyway. More HP is better. The quality of the wheels is important, too.

[RustyPile]

Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust

thanks guys,

When I go to get it I will pay attention to the hp/amps rating more.

I may spring for the 8" if it not to big as I have to limited table top space to work with. It's not tight. But I don't want to throw caution to the wind. Which is why the 6" sounded better on paper.

8" grinders usually have more HP. I'm not sure of the hp (it draws 5 anps) of my 8" grinder, but I have to really "lean" on it to bog it down.. Why mount it to a bench or table?? Get an old car rim, a piece of pipe or tubing and weld up a stand for it.. If need be, you can add weight by filling the rim with cement.. I added "plumbing" to mine so that the debris is piped through a wall to the outside.. No more mess around the grinder area...

[Palf70Step]

My buddy volunteered some scrap metal (and the use of his stick welder since my mig was too small) and got a nice place for both of mine to sit and it can be shifted around if need be.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Originally Posted by RustyPile

8" grinders usually have more HP. I'm not sure of the hp (it draws 5 anps) of my 8" grinder, but I have to really "lean" on it to bog it down.. Why mount it to a bench or table?? Get an old car rim, a piece of pipe or tubing and weld up a stand for it.. If need be, you can add weight by filling the rim with cement.. I added "plumbing" to mine so that the debris is piped through a wall to the outside.. No more mess around the grinder area...

Because I have a floor space deficit in the garage, and need to stack as much as possible together to have to room needed.

The Sunco box is a roller and holds alot of product i always use, and all my rags. It also has my drill press, and vice. Each has enough roof for the stuff I need it for 99% of the time.

I have a rolling cart I made which will become my welding cart/table, and hold metal working tools. Plus safety gear because i want to hear the next ex wife yell at me too.

I will replace my work bench with a Husky workbench with drawers. As it will have more room for tools in its drawers.

My 69 Camaro is also in this garage as it my work out area. I am 46, and need to keep myself in better shape. Lifting compressors is getting harder as I fall apart. Plus since I have started working out I have lost 20+ pounds since my knee surgery last summer, and my back issues are gone. So I need room with out moving everything.

So I want my garage modular in a sense where I can move around carts to get to what I need to use, or move it to where I can do the operations.

[68panelman]

I have an old Sears best on a stand I found local for sale, 3/4 hp 8"
Paid $60 for it and a Sears drill press. Crappy photo, they are tucked away next to the beer fridge.
Check local stuff, you may find a bargain

[RustyPile]

Originally Posted by 68panelman

I have an old Sears best on a stand I found local for sale, 3/4 hp 8"
Paid $60 for it and a Sears drill press. Crappy photo, they are tucked away next to the beer fridge.
Check local stuff, you may find a bargain

WOW!! What a time capsule.. A little over 50 years ago I bought a Craftsman 59 piece Tap & Die set.. I also bought a drill press and a 29 bit drill index just like those 2 in your picture.. Alas, in the late '70s my shop was burglarized and the drill press was taken.. I still have the tap & die set and the drill index.. It's been years since I've seen anything like these old tools of mine.. I really liked that drill press.. If you decide to sell yours, give me first dibs on it..

[68panelman]

Originally Posted by RustyPile

WOW!! What a time capsule.. A little over 50 years ago I bought a Craftsman 59 piece Tap & Die set.. I also bought a drill press and a 29 bit drill index just like those 2 in your picture.. Alas, in the late '70s my shop was burglarized and the drill press was taken.. I still have the tap & die set and the drill index.. It's been years since I've seen anything like these old tools of mine.. I really liked that drill press.. If you decide to sell yours, give me first dibs on it..

Thanks, funny how when you buy something old, you notice they pop up for sale. Drill press is from 1956, very heavy base. I do enjoy using it.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

I got the 8" DeWalt model, and did a quick test.

It really hogs the metal compared to my dad's 6" model.

Thankfully its not made in china, rather in Taiwan which is fine.