grinder at Woodcraft onsale this month - any good???

It works just fine for me! You'll probably want to get better wheels and use the Oneway Wheel Balancing kit. Matt Heffron Inland Woodturners

Hi Marvin If you are able to go to the store, and don't have to maillorder the grinder, then ask if they will trial run the grinder in the store, that's what I did last year and good I did the first one they tried was walking the floor, the second one was much better, not perfect mind you, but I was able to get the wheels to run straight, and the grinder works OK, mine doesn't like it cold though, works better when the shop is warm. Make sure you also get a wheel dresser, a star dresser gives the best open wheel surface, but a diamond dresser works fine also, you have to dress your wheels whenever they glaze up or the surface gets grooved.

If you can find a used Baldor or Stanley, you'd be better off in my opinion, just my 2 cents.

espressoMarv wrote:

Darrell:

You are not the only odd man out -- I hate slow speed grinders -- way too slow. Luckily I got a chance to try one for a weekend (an in-store demo) before plunking down my money.

I use a 36 grit Alum Oxide for rough and, like you, use 80 grit for all other grinding. When I modify a factory bowl gouge to Irish grind, the

For the record -- I use a 7" Baldor (high speed) with the Oneway balancing system -- like butter!

Bill

Darrell Feltmate wrote:

Hi Marv,

I would stay away from any Chinese motors. I don't care if Woodcraft carries them. It's too bad to see a store that I've purchased from for nearly 30 years and visited the original Woburn store and spent many fun hours at start carrying these inferior motors. I have a Delta 8" Slow Speed. I don't even have it bolted down and it just purrs. They were all sold out at Western Tool so I asked if I could buy the demo. They gladly turned it on for me and I was surprised at the smoothness. Upon running at home I removed he right wheel and put on a fine Norton White wheel. On the left side I have a medium-fine grit 1" x 8" BriteBoy Vulcanized Rubber Abrasive wheel that does not burn period and hons to a mirror shine fast and easy. I would rate the Baldor motors as #1. Delta are a good bet for #2. If you were low on cash I would suggest hat you start thinking of USED. I bought a nice 10" 3450 all mounted on a heavy Baldor-type cast iron pedestal for $50.00. It was the Industrial type with lighted wheel guards! Check out the used dealers that sell surplus lathes and milling machines. Often they buy used tools in large lots when they buy out shops going out of business. They will take everything that they have but their primary interest is in the big ticket lathes and mills. They will often have rows of grinders, buffers and wire wheel machines as well as lots of other interesting little machines and tools that aren't worth an awful lot to them. Shop them up, go look in person and make them an offer. Second way that I have shopped over the years is to place wanted ads in several of the nearest newspapers or shipping guides. Call it proactive shopping of the classifieds! I have watched classifieds for months without seeing exactly what I am looking for to show up. A few years back when I was setting up my blacksmith shop I ran a couple want ads. I had the phone ringing off the hook with folks who had anvils, forges, hammers, tongs, hardies, pritchels, handled swages, swage blocks, hot chisels, of all sizes, conditions, and prices. I even had a could folks offer to meet me half way so that I could travel to see what they had! It wasn't junk either. I got a minty Hay Budden anvil, a big Buffalo RR Forge. To me you can't get much better than getting a good used grinder. Well you can IMHO, you can get a Baldor but then you might find a USED BALDOR on Pedestal for $50 BUCKS!

Good Luck!

JimC

espressoMarv wrote:

Hello Matt Leo Darrell Bill Jim

Thank you for your replies. This is exactly the feedback I was looking for. As a bonus you have given me the names of good grinders that I can try to purchase used. Thank you.

Marv> Hi Marv,

I've had a Woodcraft slow speed for 5 or 6 years (maybe more - time flies). No walking. Not bolted down. No problems. The cheesy deflectors are the only exception for money well spent. As others have stated, you are better off if you have a local store, in case you do have issues.