I picked up a new 8" "slow speed" (1725 RPM) grinder from Woodcraft on sale
for $74.95 off their web site. It comes equipped with 1" x 8" 120 grit and
60 grit white aluminum oxide grinding wheels. It has a 3/4 HP induction
motor. I already had a Makita blade grinder as well as myriad files and
Arkansas stones but I lacked a regular style grinder... this one peaked my
interest due to the 8" wheels and the lower RPMs so I ordered it.
Assembly of the two piece cast tool rests went very smoothly as did assembly
of the eye shields. The motor is quiet. There was trivial vibration when I
first turned the grinder on but after grinding an old Stanley chisel, that
had huge chunks out of the edge, the vibration went away. It appears that
the wheels needed to be dressed a bit as they were mildly out of balance. I
was very pleased to find that I could grind the chisel edge back to true
with no overheating. It definitely fills a gap I had in my sharpening tool
assortment. The Makita blade grinder or the Arkansas stones would have taken
forever and using a file on that hard old chisel probably would have ruined
the file.
Overall I'd give this grinder a buy recommendation if you are in the market
for a serviceable 8" "slow speed" grinder. It is built far better than any
of the Craftsman or low end Delta grinders I've seen or used and I suspect
it will last me forever as I'm not using it commercially.
I don't know how long the sale lasts but the URL is below if you want to
check it out.
http://shop.woodcraft.com/Woodcraft/product_family.asp?family_id=4605&refcode=04IN10NL&URLCheck=1
BTW, I'm only a customer... I have no other stakeholder position in
Woodcraft.
John
In article <[email protected]>, Fly-by-Night CC <[email protected]> wrote:
>In article <[email protected]>,
> "John Grossbohlin" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> this one peaked my interest
>
><Grammar 102>
>Sorry for the picking of nits here, John, but I think the word you had
>in mind was "piqued".
></Grammar 102>
>
>> Overall I'd give this grinder a buy recommendation if you are in the market
>> for a serviceable 8" "slow speed" grinder.
>
>This grinder gets very favorable comments over on the r.c.woodturning
>group. Many folks have relegated their old ones to grinding mower blades
>and gotten this one for tool sharpening.
>
>Compared to the slow speed Delta (at $180-ish) or a Baldor at $250'n'up,
>the Woodcraft's a great buy.
>
The Woodcraft grinder has consistently received high marks. A couple words of
caution. Over on Woodcentral there has been a thead about the new grinders not
being as good as the older ones. One purchaser bought one that was so out of
balance she returned it (I think she tried dressing the wheels). She took it
back for exchange but after trying two or three in the store and they all had
the same problem she gave up. However, in the same thread another purchaser
tried one in the store and it had no problems. Someone said Woodcraft had
changed manufacturers and was in the process of changing again. I guess it is
possible the sale is a way to reduce inventory. Anyway, the grinder is a good
price but be sure you try it out. I know if I had the bucks I would take a
look.
Stuart Johnson
Red Oak, Texas
>>Compared to the slow speed Delta (at $180-ish) or a Baldor at $250'n'up,
>>the Woodcraft's a great buy.
>>
>
>The Woodcraft grinder has consistently received high marks. A couple words of
>
SNIP
>Stuart Johnson
>Red Oak, Texas
Just a little gloat. I got one of these slow speed grinders from Woodcraft at
their Basement Sale (at Parkersburgh Corporate headquaters store) for $20 a
couple of years ago. It was brand new, but did not run. A new $2 switch and
away it went.
Dave Hall
"Fly-by-Night CC" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "John Grossbohlin" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > this one peaked my interest
>
> <Grammar 102>
> Sorry for the picking of nits here, John, but I think the word you had
> in mind was "piqued".
> </Grammar 102>
I keep telling myself I should not get on this thing when I'm tired... ;-)
Anyhow, it's a nice grinder!
John
In article <[email protected]>,
"John Grossbohlin" <[email protected]> wrote:
> this one peaked my interest
<Grammar 102>
Sorry for the picking of nits here, John, but I think the word you had
in mind was "piqued".
</Grammar 102>
> Overall I'd give this grinder a buy recommendation if you are in the market
> for a serviceable 8" "slow speed" grinder.
This grinder gets very favorable comments over on the r.c.woodturning
group. Many folks have relegated their old ones to grinding mower blades
and gotten this one for tool sharpening.
Compared to the slow speed Delta (at $180-ish) or a Baldor at $250'n'up,
the Woodcraft's a great buy.
--
Owen Lowe and his Fly-by-Night Copper Company
Offering a shim for the Porter-Cable 557 type 2 fence design.
<http://www.flybynightcoppercompany.com>
<http://www.easystreet.com/~onlnlowe/index.html>