Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
grinder speeds
John McAlevey
>I am currently sharpening my turning tools, mainly an Ellsworth gouge using the Ellsworth jig on a shop made slide. My grinder is a 6" slow speed Baldor and I am using Oneway grinding wheels. My question is..would I be better off with a 3600 rpm, 8" grinder? I've noticed that Oneway recommends using a high speed grinder. Any thoughts on this will be appreciated. Thanks, _JM
Re: grinder speeds
Stuart Johnson
>Along this same line Woodcraft has their slow speed grinder on sale for $79. This is the same price as Woodworkers Supply has the Delta high speed. What is the recommendations between the two?
Re: grinder speeds
John Lucas
>I bought the woodcraft grinder and use it on the slow speed. I do this because it takes longer for the grinder to come up to the speed of 3450 and the tool is cooler when grinding at 1750. It still only takes a few seconds to grind and I can't tell the difference between 3450 and 1750 as far as grind quality.
Re: grinder speeds
Fog Tanner
>John, I currently have a 6" high speed (3500rpm), 8" lower speed (1725), and a 10" slowest (60 rpm Tormek). I now use the 6" for grinding bolts, nuts, and things other than tools. The 8" is the 100lb Delta and doesn't vibrate at all. It makes sharpening a lot easier, a lot like adding weight to a lathe. I use it for scrapers and my Ellsworth gouge - in my Ellsworth jig - in my homemade slide. Its easier for me to get that "delicate" touch that David talks about in his video. I have been most happy with it. For all else I use the Tormek. For me its cheaper than buying new tools.
Ditto
TDaniel
>I do the same as Fog. If you go with a cheaper grinder I would suggest you buy the One-way balancing kit; not only does it balance the wheels but it stands them up 90 degrees to the shaft also. The thin washers which hold the wheels on most cheap grinders allow the wheels to wobble. Don't buy a grinder without looking to see if the washers that hold the wheel are machined...not stamped.
TD
Re: grinder speeds
Peter Teubel
>I have both the Woodcraft grinder and the Delta grinder (actually I have the variable speed Delta ShopMaster, but its basically the same thing). The only reason I bought the Delta was because it was lighter (not much, but some), since it is used as my "traveling" grinder.
The performance is the same on both. However, the Woodcraft grinder comes with two white friable wheels, while the Delta comes with grey wheels. Once you figure in the extra cost of friable wheels, the Woodcraft grinder is a better deal.
Re: grinder speeds
Phil Joines in Krum, Texas
>I don't know if they have fixed it or not but at one time the Woodcraft grinders had a vibration problem. I'd want to see it spin at the store.