Bench Grinder Suggestions

[Claus]

I’m progressing in my hand tool journey to the point that I need to start regrinding some edges. And I’ve accumulated quite a few “ clunkers” in my search for decent hand tools.

What would be a decent grinder to buy? I’m thinking cheap as possible and spend some money on upgrading to decent wheels. I’ve read low speed is better, but most of what I see is ~3400, isn’t that considered high speed?

Thanks for any suggestions and feedback

-Claus

 

[holcombej]

It is high speed. Rikon makes a 1/2 horse low speed that runs around 150.00 give or take.

 

[bob vaughan]

Would you be comfortable with a $3.00 hammer? That can be the metaphorical equivalent to a "cheap as possible" bench grinder.

Look for a grinder that has good tool rests that can be angled up so you can grind the angle on plane irons and chisels.

The inside wheel guards should be cast metal thick enough to clamp the tool rest mechanisms.

Woodturners love the Rikon 8", 1 HP models but they buy extra $150.00 wheels and the same priced aftermarket tool rests.

A good bench grinder will last a lifetime. A bench grinder with cheap and awkward tool rests guarantee a lifetime of frustration.

See if you can find a used Baldor and fix it up. I've done a lot of that over the decades.

 

[Wiley's Woodworks]

What you want is a variable speed grinder. Normal rpm range is ~1750--3400. The gold standard is a Rikon low speed which is 1500 rpm. I've been told there's no practical difference between 1500 and 1750 rpm. Most grinders come with a 60 grit and a 120 grit aluminum oxide wheel. They are good for setting a bevel and hollow grinding a bevel. You'll only use the 60 grit to set a bevel or take out a big nick, something that is not likely to happen with hand tools. Hollow grinding makes it much easier to touch up and resharpen chisels and plane blades. The lower grits do leave a bit more work to get your final edge. You could replace the 60 with a 320 stone wheel.

CBN wheels are a significant, new technology upgrade. They cut faster, cooler, and smoother than stone wheels. A 180 grit CBN puts on a finish equivalent to 50% finer stone wheel, i.e. a 270 grit stone. Turners like the CBN wheels because they can touch up their cutting tools and get a strong working edge quickly. Hand tools are still going to require hand sharpening using traditional techniques.

If you haven't already discovered using a leather strop, this is your next upgrade, and you might as well do it simultaneously. When you take 3 minutes to strop an edge when you feel the tool losing its cutting edge, you'll be amazed how much longer the base cutting edge will last between full blown resharpenings.

 

[Mike Davis]

I have a couple hand crank grinders that I would part with pretty cheaply.
Could bring to the picnic.

 

[bob vaughan]

I have 13 bench grinders and three buffers. Only one buffer oe grinder is slow speed (1750 rpm) because it is a purpose built machine.
Slow speed equals slow sharpening. It's that simple.
Get a diamond tipped stick to true up the wheel. Since the diamond stick dulls the wheel, you get a Huntington #0 dresser to sharpen the surface of the wheel. You'll use the dresser ten to twenty times before going back to the diamond.

 

[tvrgeek]

Big vote for the 8" Rikon, WITH CBN wheels and Wolverine tool rests. They have two motors, I have the lower HP and no problem as any tool work will be the lightest touch anyway. I think there are some variable speed ones too. Sure with skill you can use a high speed grinder, just it is easier to burn as it can be so quick. In any case, go for the 8 inch and many 6 inch the wheel does not clear the motor which makes working on long work impossible. I found a clone flat rest much like the Wolverine on Amazon, but it may not be there as of this week or may cost twice as much. Looks and works the same but slightly different rod dimension.

For high speed fab work, I also have a WEN with decent Norton wheel and wire brush, but my cutting edges only on the CBN low speed. Woodcutters wheels.

For buffing, I have a low speed, long arbor buffer and I also use the 3 wheel accessory on my lathe. As it is a Reeves drive, it can be very slow. Someday I may see if I could adapt a tool rest and use the CBN wheels on it.

CBN wheels are much better balanced. Even the best premium ceramic wheels may need balancing work to get the vibrations down. Cheap grinders may not have the arbors ground as true. Even getting decent machined washers is hard. Many of the standard stamped ones do not sit true. Do not fall for the too fine grit as you only are cutting the primary hollow bevel. 60 is a bit rough just in my preference, 120 I kind of like because I also do lawn mower blades ( final by file of course) and larger twist drills, but the finer the grit, the hotter so the more careful. In ceramic wheels, there are many materials so read on which is best for what. CBN is for tool steels only. Never soft metals. As CBN do not need dressing and stay the same radius, you can make up jigs to train yourself quicker.

For ceramic wheels, $6 for a good diamond grit dresser.

 

[tvrgeek]

I will also have a Workshop to sell at the picnic.

 

[Al Olme]

I agree on the Rikon, it has become the default bench grinder for small shop woodworkers. An early post in this thread spoke of cast wheel guards. If you find an affordable grinder with those, please let us know.
There was also mention of using the tool rests that come with the grinder. I wouldn't even take the time to try to use them. You're most probably going to scrap them and go with an after market alternative with more adjustability and the ability to stay in the place you put them. I really like the Veritas Bench Grinder Tool Rest. It is both very adjustable and stays where you put it.
Sadly, like most good things it's not cheap. I'm generally not a fan of copies from the Far East but here you might save some money by at least checking out the cheapo market. I've seen some surprisingly nice machined aluminum products from those sellers.
If you finish on stones, the Veritas sharpening guides are really hard to beat. I do believe that it's simple enough to get a good edge without a guide or using a simple roller clamp type but the Veritas stuff makes it easy and repeatable. Since it's a Canadian company, I wonder what that stuff is going to cost in the future.

 

[demondeacon]

Get the Rikon, buy a CBN wheel and then invest in a Lee Valley adjustable tool rest system. Then you are set. By the way, the current issue of Fine Woodworking has a review of CBN wheels and grinding in general

 

[bob vaughan]

Cheap version Rikon: $150.00
Two CBN wheels $300.00±
Adj. tool rest rig $176.00 (2@$88.00)
Total........................... $626.00 Without shipping and tax

That's not particularly cheap but it beats getting a good Baldor 8" grinder.

 

[SabertoothBunny]

The Rikon slow speed grinder retails at $200 and goes on sale for $150 periodically. You can get the WEN slow speed grinder, depending on model/add-ons, for $120-140 and it is just as good of a grinder for tool sharpening as the Rikon.

 

[Gofor]

I have the Hercules (Harbor Freight) 8" variable speed (2000-3400) one. Arbors are not square. Other than that, the motor seems to be fine, but the lowest RPM at 8" is not really all that low. It free wheels forever when shut off, so bearings appear to be good. The wheels that come with it are only good for use as paper weights or ballast.. Inconsistent hardness and impossible to balance. The tool rests are microscopic (a couple square inches). I may upgrade the tool rests and spring for a CBD wheel, which may make it usable for sharpening tools. I got it at a good price, but the upgrades will cost 3 times what i paid for it.

What is a source for good standard grinding wheels (8" x 5/8" arbor)?

edited: 5/7/2025 1544hrs

 

[mquan01]

I will also have a Workshop to sell at

Would that be a WorkSharp?

 

[tvrgeek]

Would that be a WorkSharp?

Yea, fancy stand, extra wheels and stuff. I think it is posted in the for sale.

 

[Hmerkle]

Yea, fancy stand, extra wheels and stuff. I think it is posted in the for sale.

Scott, I don't see it in the for sale listing... could have missed it...

 

[Mike Davis]

Scott, I don't see it in the for sale listing... could have missed it...

Page 3.

Work Sharp

With extra wheels, stand and storage. Asking $100. They are $280 new without the nifty stand, storage and extras.

ncwoodworker.net

 

[RJweb]

Looked at HF and they only show hercules grinder but not variable speed, RJ

 

[Hmerkle]

Page 3.

Work Sharp

With extra wheels, stand and storage. Asking $100. They are $280 new without the nifty stand, storage and extras.

ncwoodworker.net

Thanks Mike, I DID miss it!

 

[mkepke]

IMO No need to buy CBN wheels or a fancy grinding rest now. All that can be added later as finances allow.

The Rikon 1/2 hp grinder recommended in this thread should come with friable white wheels, which are plenty good for basic grinding.

The rests on the Rikon may be mediocre, I don’t know. If so, make your own out of wood for a few bucks.

You didn’t say what your budget is, but I’m recommending you buy something with decent ‘bones’ and upgrade when/if you determine you need it and can afford it.

-Mark