Hello,

I am just starting to get a few things together to start woodturning.

I am looking at this grinder:

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx...lySpecial=True

8" Slow Speed Grinder #144290

Does anyone know if this grinder is any good?

Thank you for any replies.

Marvin

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

"espressoMarv" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hello,

I am just starting to get a few things together to start woodturning.

I am looking at this grinder:

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx...lySpecial=True

8" Slow Speed Grinder #144290

Does anyone know if this grinder is any good?

Thank you for any replies.

Marvin

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.

http://homepage.mac.com/l.vanderloo/PhotoAlbum25.html

Have fun and take care
Leo Van Der Loo

espressoMarv wrote:
Hello,

I am just starting to get a few things together to start woodturning.

I am looking at this grinder:

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx...lySpecial=True

8" Slow Speed Grinder #144290

Does anyone know if this grinder is any good?

Thank you for any replies.

Marvin

Marvin
I may be odd man out here, but here goes. I have heard from others that the
slow speed grinder from Woodcraft is fine. On the other hand, I like a high
speed grinder. I leave a medium grey wheel on one side for rough grinding
such as is needed if a nail was imbedded in the turning wood (ouch) and the
tool nicks. For the other wheel I use an 80 grit aluminum oxide. Build or
buy a grinding jig and most of your sharpening troubles are over. Check my
web site for one solution.
______
God bless and safe turning
Darrell Feltmate.
Truro, NS, Canada
www.aroundthewoods.com
"espressoMarv" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hello,

I am just starting to get a few things together to start woodturning.

I am looking at this grinder:

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx...lySpecial=True

8" Slow Speed Grinder #144290

Does anyone know if this grinder is any good?

Thank you for any replies.

Marvin

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
36 makes quick work of the task.

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

Bill

Darrell Feltmate wrote:
Marvin
I may be odd man out here, but here goes. I have heard from others that the
slow speed grinder from Woodcraft is fine. On the other hand, I like a high
speed grinder. I leave a medium grey wheel on one side for rough grinding
such as is needed if a nail was imbedded in the turning wood (ouch) and the
tool nicks. For the other wheel I use an 80 grit aluminum oxide. Build or
buy a grinding jig and most of your sharpening troubles are over. Check my
web site for one solution.
______
God bless and safe turning
Darrell Feltmate.
Truro, NS, Canada
www.aroundthewoods.com
"espressoMarv" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hello,

I am just starting to get a few things together to start woodturning.

I am looking at this grinder:

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx...lySpecial=True

8" Slow Speed Grinder #144290

Does anyone know if this grinder is any good?

Thank you for any replies.

Marvin

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,

I am just starting to get a few things together to start woodturning.

I am looking at this grinder:

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx...lySpecial=True

8" Slow Speed Grinder #144290

Does anyone know if this grinder is any good?

Thank you for any replies.

Marvin

Well, the slow speed grinder from Woodcraft does a good job, especially
if you don't have the cash for a better grinder. The biggest complaint
I had with the one that I have is that it takes very little pressure to
bog the motor down. My Baldor is very hard to bog down, and doesn't
need to be bolted down because it is heavy and runs so smooth. If you
are using jigs, then I don't see that slow or high speed makes any
difference, unless you are shaping a tool, rather than touching it up.
I saved my Woodcraft grinder for that with a 36 grit wheel on it.
robo hippy
JimC 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,

I am just starting to get a few things together to start woodturning.

I am looking at this grinder:

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx...lySpecial=True

8" Slow Speed Grinder #144290

Does anyone know if this grinder is any good?

Thank you for any replies.

Marvin

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.

Marvin

JimC 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,

I am just starting to get a few things together to start woodturning.

I am looking at this grinder:

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx...lySpecial=True

8" Slow Speed Grinder #144290

Does anyone know if this grinder is any good?

Thank you for any replies.

Marvin

"espressoMarv" wrote:

Hello,

I am just starting to get a few things together to start woodturning.

I am looking at this grinder:

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx...lySpecial=True

8" Slow Speed Grinder #144290

Does anyone know if this grinder is any good?

Thank you for any replies.

Marvin


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.