Inexpensive occasional use bench grinder?
 

Anyone get any recommendation for an occasional use bench grinder? It'll mostly get used to sharpen mower blades, but I'm sure that there will be other occasional uses for it.

So, 6" or 8", HF or someone else?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1746474800.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1746474800.jpg

I have a 50 year old Craftsman bench grinder that I think was my Dad's fathers.

I used it a lot when we got here 30 years ago, but now I frankly only sharpen mower blades or but put on the other wheels (like buffers) for specific stuff. It is not variable speed so I can't help you there.

I use it maybe 10 hours a year.

Me? I'd get the 8" Bauer with the light if the reviews are good. The light really helps.

I'm into old bench grinders.
They are twice the machines as the ones in your pictures and less than 1/2 the price.

When we downsized, I sold an 8" grinder and a smaller grinder rather than put them into storage. Now that I'm looking to buy, I find myself thinking "damn!"

The problem with that is that I live in BFE, so there aren't people out here selling any. And if I went into Houston or a suburb looking for an old one, all of the FB MP ads for any sort of tool seems to be at full retail price, and/or is someplace that's an hours (or more) drive away.

I have that $50 wen grinder mounted to a 2x6. I clamp it down on the bench when I need it.
I pretty much only use it to sharpen mower blades and it’s fine for that.

I’d go HF all day long and be happy. Honestly their quality is equal or better to most big box store brands.

Since I got a Bauer harbor freight cordless angle grinder and 4 inch flap discs I don’t remember the last time I’ve used my grinder. It’s a lot easier to sharpen mower blades, chisels, etc. by putting them in my vice and using the flap discs. And those discs are cheap and seem to last forever.

If your main use is sharpening steel, a larger wheel that turns slower is your best bet to prevent overheating. 8” and 1,750 is usually considered a good grinder for sharpening.

I use an angle grinder for blade sharpening. To me, it's WAY easier than using my 8" bench grinder.

A good sharp file will sharpen a lawn mower blade better than a bench grinder with about the same time and effort.

I have a bench grinder similar to those pictured above but have only used it a few times in 10 years.
I was sure I needed it when I bought it but that did not turn out to be the case.

I've been using a file, and it does work well, but takes forever. We've got ~5 acres that gets mowed. The blades get DULL, and there are 3 of them. I think a grinder will speed up the process a bit.

I used to have a small portable grinder, and never used it. My other was, I'm pretty sure an old 8" model that had a 4" sanding belt on the other side. That was nice and got used from time to time.

A flap disc on an angle grinder is my go to.

I'd be looking at FB MP or Crglist for something old but local.
Lots of them at garage sales, etc that are much better then new from HF if you ask me.

I have some ancient low quality grinder. It works great.

I would advise to check out craigslist or similar and buy one for pennies.

Yep, mine is also an old Sears Craftsman that I use for sharpening blades, rounding off cut corners, and wire wheel to remove rust. Single speed, plenty of torque, bulletproof. They can probably be found used for $20 on FB MP.

No opinion on the new ones.

You might get lucky on CL or FBMP and find an old Sears block grinder, for cheap, but they have a big fan club and most owners 'know what they have', so to speak.

Yeah, that's the problem. Folks in Houston don't sell cheap, at least, when they list stuff, they don't list it cheap. I saw one of the $180 HF models up on FB for $150. No fargin' way I'm paying nearly retail. I'd rather have new and not have to worry about what some knucklehead did with it. And I'm not going to offer half price either. Checking FBMP, I found one or two that were really cheap and either looked thoroughly used or like they were probably super cheap to begin with and are ancient.

But the big problem is that anything that I try to buy from Houston will end up being a 1-2hour drive (one way).

That's what I had was some good old stuff, and I wish I still had it, but the odds of me running across it are slim to none around here.

A bit more expensive, but if you’re just doing mower blades, something like this might be a better choice.

https://www.vevor.com/bench-grinder-c_11010/vevor-lawn-mower-blade-sharpener-2-3hp-500w-with-7-inch-ceramic-grinding-wheel-p_010770163297?adp=gmc&utm_source=google&utm_mediu m=cpc&utm_id=20922352686&ad_group=152802351250&ad_ id=687107254260&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaig nid=20922352686&gbraid=0AAAAACq8bLVfK3Zku7kBLGt4tS 5Fkzbhn&gclid=Cj0KCQjww-HABhCGARIsALLO6XxE0ATI4Yjlz6Ief-DtMu59J5y3PSYvOPFyxlNVb-xJe4qBEveW_2kaAsPkEALw_wcB

I use an angle grinder for mower blades then finish with a flap wheel. But as for a bench grinder I fabricate and use one almost every day. I have a grinding wheel on one side and wire wheel on the other. The one i mainly use is a delta 6" I like it because its not that strong. If I get something snagged horribly it will stop. My other craftsman one is stronger and one must be more careful with it. So dont feel like you must get a big one because you might find yourself avoiding using it