On Thu, 28 Oct 2010 04:21:11 +0000 (UTC), Mel Knight
wrote:

On Wed, 27 Oct 2010 19:54:40 -0700, Smitty Two wrote:

I think Baldor still makes the best grinders.

At http://www.baldor.com, I see Baldor has 6, 7, 10, 12, and 14-inch
wheels.

What size wheel do most people recommend for the next twenty years' worth
of occasional grinding at home?

The speed seems to vary from 1500, 1800, 3000, and 3600 rpm; should the
speed I opt for be much of a concern to me?

And the horsepower seems to vary from 1/2, 1/3, 1 1/2, 2, 3, 5, and 7 1/2
HP (although most of the 110 volt ones seem to be in the 1/2 to 3/4 HP
range). Is 1/2HP reasonable for a shop grinder?

Lastly, I will most likely opt for single-phase 110 volts (because I
don't know if I'll always have dual-phase 220 available) but is there any
really good reason for 220 volts (which I do currently have available)
for "normal" shop grinder use?


Just get a cheap 110v 1/2 hp grinder if you're using it for occasional
home use.
6" wheels will do fine.
I prefer a flex light, but don't have one on my current grinder.
I prefer a quench "bucket" but don't have one on my current grinder.
You can rig a light if you need it, and get a container of water for
quenching.
Make sure it has decent tool rests.

Don't bother with a pedestal if you have 5-6' feet on each side of the
grinder at its height.. Just takes up floor space.
In my last house I put a shelf on a brick wall to hold the grinder.
Now I have one lag screwed on the corner of a workbench.
Last was 8", now I have a 6".
No difference for what I do with it.
I use it mostly for sharpening shovels, mower blades and chisels.
But it serves other purposes once in a while.
Great for dressing screwdrivers, deburring, etc.
I keep coarse and fine wheels on it.

Somebody said have 2 grinders, and that's not a bad idea if you use a
grinder a lot.
A grinder wire wheel comes in real handy, but I've taken to using a
drill wire wheel when I need wire.
Mostly because I don't want to change wheels.
I'd never put wood or soft metal on a grinder wheel - anymore.
But if you're going to clog up the wheel, or wear it down unevenly,
maybe get yourself a dressing tool.
Might be cheaper to just buy a new wheel though.
Only wheel dresser I had I got free.

You don't want to "overbuy" on a grinder for home use.
Because it just doesn't get used much.

--Vic