benchtop grinder... HF?

[jekbrown]

I'm in need of an el-cheapo benchtop grinder. Using a 4.5" handheld grinder for hours on end on small pieces is a real PITA. I'm headed to HF to see what they have. Anyone have a HF one? If so, which model and how do ya like it?

j

 

[BadDog]

I've got the "Industrial" 6" grinder, the yellow one. I bought it "on sale" and it's been a fairly good, if underpowered grinder. But I find my 4.5” grinder works faster for most things.

If I ever get a round tuit, I have been gathering parts to build a belt driven grinder which I feel is vastly superior. This one will run a 2HP industrial GE motor driving a heavy ~1.5" diameter spindle running in Timken bearings with a coarse AO stone on one side, and a 3/4 Super chuck on the other. A second spindle will mount a fine AO and a fine SO wheel. And a third spindle will drive a 72" belt sander patterned on the KMG posted before. I’ve got most of the parts, and machines+stock for the rest, just got to get it done.

 

[cbbr]

I have an 8" orange one. 3/4 HP. Its a little underpowered, but works fine for what I do.

 

[diesel4me]

daily grind...

I have a "Buffalo" brand 6" bench grinder--bought from a flea market many years ago...has no balls at all,you can stall it quite easily..I get by with it,but I would not buy another cheapie..it was only 20 bucks though..still works ok..

My co-worker at the junkyard made his own,by robbing a motor from an old washing machine,that had a shaft on each end--had to weld a base on the motor...he found 2 "mandrels" at a hardware store for about 4 bucks apeice,to mount the grinding wheels to it with..it blew mine away,that thing would not bog down and stall like my grinder would!....(and it was built from JUNK!)..

I had a simple 1/4 hp electric motor with a pulley/belt drive and a "poilishing head" bolted to a peice of 3/4" plywood for a grinder/wire brush combo for a long time (still have it!)--I think it was better than the Tiwan grinder is.....

 

[ntsqd]

I bought one of their little 4" wheel grinders, but I only use it for sharpening the TIG tungstens.
For metal removal & shaping I prefer the 6x48 belt sander.

 

[jekbrown]

got the HF el-cheapo. We'll see how it does. Only $24.50 brand new after I used my 15% off coupon.

j

 

[jekbrown]

used my HF quite a bit today. I can stall it if I try, but its a bazillion times better / easier than using a handheld for several hours at a time. As always, I wish I had the coin for some supa-bling bling tools... but I'll make due with the HF stuff until the Powerball winnings start coming in.

j

 

[bigjbear]

How many HP and how many amps does it draw? TIA.

 

[jekbrown]

this is the one I got...

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=37822

1/2 hp.

j

 

[cbbr]

I have this one -

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90022

There is an auction about twice a year where they sell all of the returns from a few Harbor Freights. I paid $10 for the grinder.