Recommend a bench grinder

[Wheelerfreak]

I smoked my bench grinder today and need to replace it. I bought this one probably 15-20 or so years ago so I got my money's worth out of it. It's not made anymore so I can't just buy the same one again.

Looking to stay the same size so I can use the wheels etc, so 8" with 5/8" arbor.
Under or around $300 would be nice and in the 1hp range.



ETA, looking at this Jet industrial 8". https://www.jettools.com/us/en/p/ibg-8-8-industrial-bench-grinder/578008

 

[snivilous]

I've had this one for 2 years, and it works like an absolute charm, one of the wheels that came on it was wickedly unbalanced but otherwise no complaints at all. It fucking chews, spools up fast, and the bearings seem good since it'll free spin after turning off for a long time. Food for thought, it's only $100 with Prime: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[LilToe]

I have had that Jet one for a few years, no issues.

 

[Johann]

What are you going to use it for?

If you want to ever put buffing wheels on it you might want to consider the 10" with the 1750 rpm speed. The slower wheel speed is better for buffing. Larger diameter stone wheel will also stay cooler than a smaller one.

 

[PAE]

Have a craftsman that has lasted for 40 years so far.

Would suggest you have a look at flea marts garage sales etc.

Find one like I have and it will last forever if not abused.

 

[gozuki]

I initially spent a lot of time looking for a Baldor, but every one I found was $$$$. So then I just watched offerup until a $25 cheapy popped up. They are very simple machines, so keep the grit out of the bearings(sealed) and windings and you'll be fine.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Definitely find a used one. Replacement parts for them (rests and whatnot) can be found at places like grainger and mcmaster.

 

[budget76]

if it's just a wire wheel, i've got an arbor on an old table saw motor. bastard has some torque . no workpiece rest with this option though, so doesn't work for grinding wheels & such without fab

 

[Wheelerfreak]

What are you going to use it for?

I will only be running a wire wheel and a grinding wheel on it. I've got several of those wheels in various grits already that's why I want to stay with an 8".

To be honest, looking at used stuff is almost not worth the effort since I live in BFE and usually the closest stuff I see is 150 or so miles away. Not sure I want to risk a drive to Farmington or Albuquerque only to find it's a POS and the owner wants too much. I have been looking at CL and have only seen 1 Baldor that the guy was asking $600 for and looked like a total POS in the pictures. I'm no fab shop that uses it every day, so $1200-1400 is too much for me to be spending on a new grinder no matter where it's made.

 

[Johann]

I will only be running a wire wheel and a grinding wheel on it. I've got several of those wheels in various grits already that's why I want to stay with an 8".

To be honest, looking at used stuff is almost not worth the effort since I live in BFE and usually the closest stuff I see is 150 or so miles away. Not sure I want to risk a drive to Farmington or Albuquerque only to find it's a POS and the owner wants too much. I have been looking at CL and have only seen 1 Baldor that the guy was asking $600 for and looked like a total POS in the pictures. I'm no fab shop that uses it every day, so $1200-1400 is too much for me to be spending on a new grinder no matter where it's made.

Jet is a good brand. Kind of filled the niche that Delta had for a long time. You could also look at Grizzly but they will likely be similar in cost.

Big things for me. Substantial support of grinding rest in front of the wheel. Most HP per dollar spent. A lot of them are over rated in HP and dog out easily. 5/8 arbor is usually an idicator of a heavier duty machine but if you already have 1/2" arbor wheels you want to use you are limited. Don't worry about the guards or lights. Most of those are junk and get torn off in use anyway.

Did you check the easy things on the one you have? Switch & bushings? Or is it completely dead-dead?

 

[Wheelerfreak]

The motor smoked and got too hot to even touch the housing while I was working on it. I pulled it all apart and couldn't find smoked wiring or tripped breakers. Jumped the switch and it wouldn't turn. Wheels turn freely. I figure it's got to be the motor (or is it engine). It's an 8" 5/8" arbor

I hear you on the rests, that was a weal point on my old one. Lights are meh in my opinion, not a deal breaker. To be honest I usually, OK always, had the clear guards up and out of the way and just used glasses.