Bench Grinder advice

[TobyDavidson]

I'm starting to gear up the workshop ready for the arrival of a lathe. The next item on the list is a grinder. There are currently a number of deals around, including either a Ryobi or Erbauer with 350w motors and 6" wheels. They both come with 30 and 60 grit wheels.

Do these sound suitable? I hear most people change a wheel, what do most people change to?

 

[Bodrighy]

Hi Toby,

Whatever grinder you go for you will need the widest wheel it will take and either a white or pink / red stone. I don't think that the make of grinder matters too much personally, it's the quality of the stone that matters.

pete

 

[SVB]

Another vote for a wide white (or pink) stone.

I have a Record Power 8" machine and dispite them sending me a replacement white wheel I have never managed to get this machine balances so it does not shake the bench so I would not recommend RP.

Simon.

 

[CHJ]

I'll go along with Pete on the choice of grinder for turning tools.
Like all tools if money is no object then then the high end trade rated motors look the business but as Pete says it is the quality of the wheels and how well they are balanced that are the prime drivers rather than the motor and its housing.

A white Oxide wheel 80-100 grit is the workhorse for HSS tools, with ceramic pink/red/blue preferred by some.
The ceramic cut freer and cooler but can be very agressive for a newcomer leading to rapid metal removal in unwanted places.

My choice is for a cheap motor and spend time balancing and trueing the wheels but this may not be appropriate for someone new to the subject.
Dearer 'branded' grinders should be supplied better set up but there is no guarantee that they will be perfect especially if they have been subject to rough handling during transport.

 

[johnny.t.]

I'm quite interested to know about the real difference a white wheel makes, to my shame I'm still using one of the nasty grey wheels you get as standard . I understand they(the white) cut cooler but do they make a marked improvement to the tool edge? Enough that I should bin the grey wheel and go buy a white now?

Sorry Toby I'm not trying to hijack your thread I use a Clarke 6" grinder that cost around £30 and find it works just fine

JT

 

[NickWelford]

Ditch the grey wheel - you get a better edge and a cooler grind on a white or pink wheel. Well worth the cost.

 

[Lightweeder]

I'm quite interested to know about the real difference a white wheel makes, to my shame I'm still using one of the nasty grey wheels you get as standard . I understand they(the white) cut cooler but do they make a marked improvement to the tool edge? Enough that I should bin the grey wheel and go buy a white now?

Sorry Toby I'm not trying to hijack your thread I use a Clarke 6" grinder that cost around £30 and find it works just fine

JT

Agree johnny. I bought a pink replacement wheel, and can only assume it's better than the grey, but not noticeable. My grinder also shakes the bench.

 

[Bodrighy]

Basically the grey wheel is much coarser and you get a better edge with the white or red wheel. I suppose you could compare it between using grade 80 sandpaper to grade 400. I found that my tools were sharpening better and lasting a lot longer once I got a white wheel. I got a Record on offer at Yandles and unlike most people it doesn't vibrate on me . :lol:

At the end of the day a lot of the sharpening thing is to do with practice and getting a decent angle and bevel but the better the wheel, the better the edge.

 

[CHJ]

....... My grinder also shakes the bench.

That is something that really needs sorting LW, sharpening and achieving a good edge is much easier with a balanced system.

What type of clamping washers do you have for the wheels? are they pressed steel or fully machined. the pressed versions are often the cause of poor wheel alignment.

Peter Childs sells machined versions to suit most grinders if you don't have a local tame metal turner to make you some.

 

[Shay Vings]

I have the Record 6in with one wide white and one grey wheel . Very pleased with it: no vibration probs and that wide white wheel is much kinder on tools than the grey. If you look at retro fitting a Grinders with a white or pink wheel, it can get pricey and as my Record was about £40 last year, I reckon its good value.

 

[Neil Dyball]

Hi,

I've also got the RP 6" grinder with the standard grey and white wheels, very happy with it, no vibration problems. Have heard one or two people with vibration problems with the 8" version although the 'silent majority' presumably are perfectly satisfied?

Cheers,

Neil.

 

[Turn It In]

Hi All,
Just a note on the Record Power 8 inch I had the out of balance problem with the white stone and if you turn it by hand and observe the side of the wheel the outside is running true but the recessed edge runs way out.
Mine had a distinct egg so considering the amount to be removed was small in comparison to the overall diameter I trued the inner surface up with a single point diamond dresser and out of balance problem solved.
With the stone being white try holding a pencil on the side next to the recess and you can easily mark out the problem area.
But for the price and the wide stone they are good value IMO.
Hope these comments are of help,
Regards,
Ian

 

[SVB]

Ian,

How did you get to the 'inside face' to do this?

Simon

 

[Turn It In]

Hi Simon,
If you take the stone shield of the machine it reveals the face of the white wide stone which is only full width for the outer inch and a half. The problem area is the the inside face of the recessed stone. Fix the machine down to a board and build up timber at the side of the stone to near centre hight then use that to support the diamond dresser. Rotate the wheel by hand and scribe a pencil line on the side of the stone and you will see how much needs to be removed.
I believe that when the stones were moulded the moulds must be untrue as they willingly sent me a replacement stone that was just the same 2 years ago! But having trued mine up it runs fine.
If you want a photo I will take the cover off mine and point out where I removed the egg.
Regards,
Ian

Observe all safety precausions with a dust mask, full face shield, leather gloves and a vacuum cleaner to suck up all the grinding dust. You will get clouds of it !!