Best bench grinder for under £60

[fobos8]

Hi folks

I'm looking for a cheapish bench grinder and can't make my mind up which one to go for.

I have a set of DMT stones which I use for regular sharpening/honing. I need a grinder for speedily removing dents out of chisels.

I've been looking at a couple;

One is a Sealy 8" model http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=26719. It is 17kg which would indicate that it is pretty stable..

The other is a Record https://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.php/section/4598/sn/RPWRPBG8

Until about an hour ago I was gonna go for the Record. Thing is I read a couple of posts here about some people complaining that it vibrates a lot.
Is this a valid concern or is it due to the stone not being dressed properley. If so should I be buying a dressing block along with the grinder such as this one http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Axminster-Diamond-Dressing-Block-21896.htm

Please let me know your thoughts

Regards, Andrew

 

[jhwbigley]

i got a 6" Sealey bench grinder free with something, runs as smooth as straight out of the box. not that i use it much, i have 2 other bench grinder in the shop. :lol:

John

 

[neilyweely]

I got a sealey bench grdr 2nd hand, and it was a fairly good model. They have pro versions, or whatever they call 'em, and standard models. The one I haVE is quite heavy too, and as far as they go it is a good model.
However maybe consider a slower running model, or a geared one, which will allow you to sharpen without affecting temper ( in both senses of the word!!)

HTH

Neil

 

[Shultzy]

Have a look in Aldi they might have some of these left.

http://www.aldi.co.uk/uk/media/offers/0 ... 1009S2.jpg

 

[The Bear]

Hi

I am also looking for similar.
What speed would be considered to be "slower running". Any suggestions of a slower model that would take a 40mm wide Norton 3x wheel?

Mark

 

[fobos8]

Is the speed really that important? Most of the cheaper bench grinder have an rpm of between 2800 and 3000. I cannot find that many slow speed versions.

 

[wizer]

The problem is the tool heating up. The faster the speed the quicker the tool will get hot. Hence the availability of slow speed grinders. Now thousands of people get on fine with fast grinders and if you use a Norton 3x then it will run much cooler than the grey wheels.

I have (on hire) a slow speed cruesen grinder with pink wheels

 

[fobos8]

thanks for that wizer. I feel I'm starting to get somewhere. So I'm gonna go for a fast grinder and the Norton wheel.

Some people have complained about the Record grinders vibrating a lot. Is this likely to be caused by fact that they haven't been dressed/trued??

Anyone using Record grinders successfully?

 

[Haldane]

Hi
i've been using the Record 8" grinder mainly for woodturning tools for well over a year without any problems ( it usually gets switched on 2/3 times every session of turning )

 

[OPJ]

I've also got the 8" Record grinder, which was only £40 when I bought it in January last year! :shock:

Haven't had any real problems with it, although I do intend to get one of those Norton wheels at some point... You'll need your own tool rest/grinding jig if you're not confident doing it freehand as well.

I don't like the crappy plastic guards which broke off on my machine without any real effort.. :x I ALWAYS wear safety glasses though.

 

[fobos8]

thanks for you input

I'm gonna get the Record grinder and 3X wheel.

Cheers,Andrew

 

[wizer]

I'm not sure why you're buying the Record grinder when you can save some money and get something like this SIP

PS Do a search on eBay for 8" grinders hint hint

 

[Chris Knight]

Machine Mart do cheap grinders. You will need a dresser, whatever grinder you buy. Stones all need dressing from time to time.

 

[Deejay]

Hi folks

I'm looking for a cheapish bench grinder and can't make my mind up which one to go for.

I have a set of DMT stones which I use for regular sharpening/honing. I need a grinder for speedily removing dents out of chisels.

I've been looking at a couple;

One is a Sealy 8" model http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=26719. It is 17kg which would indicate that it is pretty stable..

The other is a Record https://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.php/section/4598/sn/RPWRPBG8

Until about an hour ago I was gonna go for the Record. Thing is I read a couple of posts here about some people complaining that it vibrates a lot.
Is this a valid concern or is it due to the stone not being dressed properley. If so should I be buying a dressing block along with the grinder such as this one http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Axminster-Diamond-Dressing-Block-21896.htm

Please let me know your thoughts

Regards, Andrew

Hello Andrew

I had a problem with the six inch version of the Record grinder, in that the wheels were either made or mounted slightly eccentrically.

I only grind turning tools, so angles are not as critical as they may be with ordinary chisels.

I bought the Axminster dresser that you mentioned and it's better than the devil stone.

After a few dressings and a bit of use, the wheels were running true and I've had no problems with it.

The fitted tool rests are more or less useless. I made my own to Keith Rowley's design. PM me if you want the details.

Cheers

Dave

 

[OPJ]

wizer does have a point; a lot of the grinders in this price range and going to be pretty much identical to one another. One thing standing in Record's favour though is the offer of a five-year warranty, as with all their machinery. :wink:

 

[fobos8]

Hello folks

Thanks for your replies so far.

The reason I was gonna go for the Record model is that;

1 - it has a 5 year warranty
2 - it has a 16mm bore which will accept the Norton 3 x stone.

Its price is £55 which is around the price of the SIP one noted by wizer.

I know the Clarke grinder won't take the 3x stone even with bushes. With regards to the SIP one I dunno what bore wheels it will take.

Wizer- is the SIP one supposes to be any good?


Kind Regards, Andrew

 

[fobos8]

Thanks for your kind offer about the tool rest Dave but I'm gonna get the Veritas one. I'd love to make one but I just don't have the time or the ability to get away from the kids when I get in from work!!

 

[wizer]

1 - it has a 5 year warranty
2 - it has a 16mm bore which will accept the Norton 3 x stone.

Its price is £55 which is around the price of the SIP one noted by wizer.

Ahh I did not think of bore sizes. I thought they were a standard thing. I also thought the Record 200mm grinder was more like £70 If you can get it for £55 then you absolutely should go with that.

 

[OPJ]

I look forward to hearing how you get on with the Norton wheel.

Are you going for the coarse stone? I've heard the finer (medium?) wheel is a little too fine for initial grinding. If you want it done quickly, go for the coarse one; you still shouldn't suffer with any over-heating problems.

 

[fobos8]

well let you know how I get on. Gonna get the 40 grit norton stone.

Cheers, Andrew