Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998
Woodcraft 8" slow speed grinder
Heather Ashley - Anchorage, AK
>Hello. I was considering purchasing the Woodcraft 8" slow speed grinder. I searched the archives and the 8" slow speed was recommended by many. How does this brand compare with others? The only one I can find locally is the Delta but it is twice the price. My husband is in Florida for a conference and can pick up the woodcraft one if I want it.
Thanks,
Heather
Re: Woodcraft 8" slow speed grinder
Jack Diemer
>I recently picked up the Delta GR450 at Lowes for about $85. I showed them the Amazon price with the $30 rebate, and they beat the post rebate price.
Re: Woodcraft 8" slow speed grinder
Tom Mullane, Hagerstown, MD
>I have one and love it... the wheels are good for me as a beginner, but will be replaced with higher quality wheels when the time comes...
Re: Woodcraft 8" slow speed grinder
Karl in IA
>I recently purchased the woodcraft grinder. It came with 2 white wheels. Works fine.
Re: Woodcraft 8" slow speed grinder
Eric Kuehne
>I've had one for awhile now. Basically a good machine although there is a little sideways oscillation in the right hand wheel. Woodcraft recommends an iterative process of rotating the washers to reduce it. In practice is doesn't seem to matter too much. When it bothers me enough and I have the time and inclination I may try it.
Would I buy it again? Probably, but I haven't had the opportunity to try the more expensive (better?) models. Remember that you'll use this a lot. How do you want to feel every time you walk up to it?
Good luck. Hope my random blithering helps.
Eric
Re: Woodcraft 8" slow speed grinder
Phil on the mountain top
>I have one and its pretty hard to beat at Woodcrafts price, If i had to buy again, would i Yeap! Oh and the wheels on any grinder will have to be replaced after time!
Re: Woodcraft 8" slow speed grinder
adrien
>have had �if my aging memory doesn't fail me again�for over three years. No problems. Only gripe is absence of a lamp
Re: Woodcraft 8" slow speed grinder
Peter Teubel
>The Delta 23-725 is twice the price because its twice the grinder (at least weight-wise). Its so heavy that it can take out-of-balance wheels more easily than the lighter Woodcraft model.
That being said, I own two Woodcraft slo-speed grinders and they work very well for my sharpening needs. Both have the Oneway Wheel Balancers on them, so they are now Baldor-smooth, so to speak.
The only difference I've noticed is the temp of the motor after a 4 hours of constant use (I teach lathe tool sharpening at a local Woodcraft store). The Delta was barely warm, while the Woodcraft model and my traveling grinder (Delta GR450) was burn-to-the-touch hot.
Re: Woodcraft 8" slow speed grinder
Heather Ashley - Anchorage, AK
>Thanks to everyone for the help. Peter, you also answered another question which was could you use the oneway balancer on the wheels. Do you see much difference between the woodcraft and the delta 450? I had seen reviews that the delta variable speed grinders weren't that great. That and the fact that the woodcraft model comes with 2 white wheels led me in that direction.
Heather
Re: Woodcraft 8" slow speed grinder
Peter Teubel
>The only reason I got the Delta GR450 was because it is lighter than the Woodcraft model. Its generally used as my traveling grinder so weight is an issue.
Re: Woodcraft 8" slow speed grinder
Duane C.Leach
>Hi Heather Glad to see more young ladies here. I to have a W/C grinder. And I agree with all the posts about it. But you should consider the size of the wheel. For beginners it is easer to use 1 inch wide wheels rather than 3/4" wheel. Also you will need something to clean and reface the wheels frequently.
Good luck
Duane
Re: Woodcraft 8" slow speed grinder
Heather Ashley - Anchorage, AK
>Duane, thanks for the welcome and the info.
Heather
