Bench Grinder

[hightower]

I'm trying to decide whether a bench grinder (with a brass wheel addition) would be a worthwhile investment for my garage. I'm just looking at a budget model from toolstation, costing about £30 in total.


I've been told a bench grinder is good to clean corrosion on my brake pad pins and anti-squeal shims. But what other uses would it have?


I'm restoring an '82 Kwak as well this summer, and just trying to figure out if it would be a useful tool to have.

[alan sherman]

sharpening chisels?

[hightower]

sharpening chisels?

Hmmm, would also have to invest in some chisels for that to be worth it

[karlo]

I'm trying to decide whether a bench grinder (with a brass wheel addition) would be a worthwhile investment for my garage. I'm just looking at a budget model from toolstation, costing about £30 in total.


I've been told a bench grinder is good to clean corrosion on my brake pad pins and anti-squeal shims. But what other uses would it have?


I'm restoring an '82 Kwak as well this summer, and just trying to figure out if it would be a useful tool to have.

I've had a little 150W 6" bench grinder with a steel wire wheel on for years, brilliant bit of kit that I wouldn't do without used it for cleaning allsorts of metal inc threads on bolts.

[fazersharp]

Yep get one - it is a very usefull tool as you say removing rust sharpeing shit and that lot, but you can then add on to it poishing mops and enter the whole world of polishing compounds and once you start polishing stuff you wont be able to stop, you can get any metal to look like mirror.
Also the wire brush is great for cleaning up crappy bolt threads

[hightower]

Ok, cheers. I shall invest.

[fazersharp]

Watch out for the cheep "brass" brushes as they are steel coated in brass. As a rule brass is too soft anyway - i never use one.
And wear protective glasses and watch out for kick back and the thing snatching stuff out of your hands, oh and watch out for your fingers on the brush too---- they dont do well on the wheel

[Super_Monkey]

HOLY SHIT MAN!!!! I could NEVER live without a bench grinder!! Serious!! I've built and modded a few bikes over the years and the bench grinder with a wire wheel was a God send, OK when it comes to polishing its not powerful enough but it can still bring up a decent shine with patience...£30 will be worth spending for sure!!

[red98]

Had one for years, a very usefull tool......suggest you use a full face sheild rather than just goggles when using the brass wheel, oh, and always use the rest when grinding 

[His Dudeness]

Lidl have a 200W bench grinder. Does the job well but 200W isn't much power. You'd be better off investing a little more and getting a bigger one.

[AndyL]

Not sure about using it for sharpening chisels. A small wheel will put deep hollow grind on the edge as well as running the risk of overheating the edge.

[red98]

very diffacult finding the right grinder/wheel for chisels....too small, as ANDYL has said and you`ll get a hollow to deep to oil stone out,wheel to big and it will be toooooo fast and cause a hot spot....think...three bears 

[chris.biker]

A grinding wheel is one of the most dangerous pieces of kit in a workshop, so much so they have their own act of parliament. I know what your talking about is only a small one but use grinding wheels with care.
I did i quick google search and these two links seemed to cover the gist of it.


http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Topics/Market_Surveillance/Machinery_and_Equipment/Abrasive_Wheels/

[ChristoT]

A grinding wheel is one of the most dangerous pieces of kit in a workshop, so much so they have their own act of parliament. I know what your talking about is only a small one but use grinding wheels with care.
I did i quick google search and these two links seemed to cover the gist of it.


http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Topics/Market_Surveillance/Machinery_and_Equipment/Abrasive_Wheels/

The bandsaw at work and my finger beg to differ. 

[His Dudeness]

I managed to snap a drill bit and then drill my own thumb nail with the broken bit I vote drill as most dangerous

[ChristoT]

I managed to snap a drill bit and then drill my own thumb nail with the broken bit I vote drill as most dangerous

Not quite done that (yet), but broken enough drill bits at work...

Barked my thumb a few times on the linisher - that bugger HURTS!

[chris.biker]

A grinding wheel is one of the most dangerous pieces of kit in a workshop, so much so they have their own act of parliament. I know what your talking about is only a small one but use grinding wheels with care.
I did i quick google search and these two links seemed to cover the gist of it.


http://www.hsa.ie/eng/Topics/Market_Surveillance/Machinery_and_Equipment/Abrasive_Wheels/

The bandsaw at work and my finger beg to differ. 

Yes a bandsaw is dangerous and if Hightower has one then care needs to be taken. But I would argue (for the fun of it) that, even having met a lad who had takem of the fingers of one hand with a bandsaw, that you can see the danger with a bandsaw and make sure you take care of your fingers. With a grinding wheel do the wrong things and it just break up sending pieces at you.


The main thing I think is to take great care when using tools, as in the case of grinders you can buy and use equipment that would come with training in the workplace.

[bristol banger]

Bench Grinder and Pillar Drill are two things I couldn't live without Next would have to be 4'' grinder, compressor then welder. Even the hardest jobs become bearable if you have the right tools

[hightower]

Bristol Banger - too true. I took the valves out my head with a socket, a magnetic end, and a spanner - my hand was red raw and it took about 2 hours. My compression tool was delivered ready for me to install them again, and it was a doddle in comparison.