what kind of grinder to buy

Re: what kind of grinder to buy

JL work

>Can we say kettle of worms? Everyone has their own preference. If (a big IF) what you want to do is sharpen most turning tools - consider any of the 8" grinders. I like the Wolverine jig system. The Tormek is an excellent system - if you want to pay the price. By the time you walk out the door with a Tormek and the various jigs that it has, you will be spending over $500. You will be able to get a sharp edge on plane blades, knives, chisels, etc. You will also be able to sharpen your turning tools. An 8" grinder with a Wolverine jig and a vari-grind will cost under $300. You will also be able to get good edges on your other tools, though they might need a little honing.

Re: what kind of grinder to buy

Fred in NC

>The Wolverine jig has made a world of difference in keeping my tools sharp and the edges at the proper angle. I can put an edge back on my tools in a few seconds. All that is needed besides the jig is a decent grinder with a good wheel.

Tim...

TD

>I have the Tormek and a 6" VS grinder and an 8" 1800 rpm grinder. The Tormek does a good job maintaining a grind once you have the profile like you want it but everytime you switch from a gouge to a flat tool you have to dress the wheel which is a slow process and it eats up that expensive wheel. I think the Tormek should be your second grinder (If you have to have one) but your first bucks should be spent for a good 1800 rpm 8" grinder and the Wolverine jigs. Use one wheel for your gouges and the other for your scrapers. With a good aluminum oxide wheel for the gouges you should not have to dress the wheels often. Grinders to stay away from: The newer Variable speed Deltas and any grinder that uses stamped steel (washers) to hold the wheels on. Buy a grinder with machined plates that hold the wheels 90 degrees to the shaft or buy the wheel balancing kit from One-way. I am told that the 1800 rpm grinder is being discontinued by the new owners of Delta. This is bad news for turners as this is the best grinder for the money available. I was told last week that Amazon has this grinder for $169 including shipping.

TD

Re: what kind of grinder to buy

Steve Roxberg

>Another post for a 8" grinder.

Look at Lee Valley, they sell a new jig made by Kelton I believe, it's listed several pages back in the new items button from the main wood working page. It looks good.

I own the oneway jig and accessories and love it.

Re: what kind of grinder to buy

Jay Dunham

>Woodcraft has their slow speed 8" on sale for 74.99. Is this a decent unit?

Re: what kind of grinder to buy

Tom Mullane

>I have been using the Woodcraft from the beginning... also got it on sale... love it.. great grinder for the price.. just make sure you bolt it down to your table... it did not vibrate, but you want every bit of stability you can get...

Re: what kind of grinder to buy

woodspinner/ Bill Hale

>I agree with Terry. Get a cheap grinder to do your heavy shaping and get the Tormec for your sharpening. One advantage to the Tormec is that it removes very little metal at sharpening so the tools last longer. I believe in the long run you will spend less on tools and that recovers the cost of the Tormec.

Good turning and be safe

Bill

Re: what kind of grinder to buy *LINK*

Fog Tanner

>Tim, I have three grinders, a cheap 6" high speed, the Delta 8" low speed and a Tormek. The 6" is good for grinding bolts, odd pieces of steel and not much else, I would never use it on a turning tool. For a dry grinder, you can't beat the 8" low speed Delta. It weighs 100lbs and has no vibrartion. A heavy grinder is much like a heavy lathe, the less vibration the better the cut or in this case grind. I replaced the gray wheel with 100 grit white wheel (only because I couldn't find a 120 grit white). I use this for reshaping (using the 60 white that came with it), scrapers (100 grit) and for sharpening my Ellsworth gouge (have my Ellsoworth jig setup on it). For all else I use my Tormek (220/1000 grit).

You can look at the articles section for Lyn's article on sharpening. One of the observations made the comparison between the Tormek and dry ground tools, was the Tormek edge lasted longer and cut better. I have found the same in my usage. Which ever way you go, I would not scrimp on a cheap light weight grinder if you go the dry route. Either the heavy Delta ($169) or Baldor ($300+). If you do other woodworking and have a jointer and/or planer you are cheaper buying the whole Tormek package and not just the woodturner package if you go that route, its a lot cheaper in the long run - don't ask how I know :-) ....

As far as the time it takes to set up the Tormek, you can make some "setup" jigs or measuring devies that make it as quick to setup as a dry grinder. I also alternate between the grinder and the leather wheel to hone the edge. I freehand the leather wheel which only takes a few seconds and brings the edge back. But as with all things, you will get opinions extoling the virtues of one system and degrading the other. No one goes out and marries an ugly woman/man/significantother (at least sober), just ask them. And no one buys the wrong sharpening system. Same logic, wouldn't buy it if it wasn't the best. If you can try both and see which one fits your needs the best and good luck in your quest.


http://www.woodcentral.com/cgi-bin/readarticle.pl?dir=turning&file=articles_271.shtml

Re: what kind of grinder to buy

Heather Ashley - Anchorage, AK

>I jus got this grinder and so far so good, except that I bought it just before the sale!

Heather

Re: what kind of grinder to buy

Lan Brady

>Tim,

I have been turning for less than a year. Apparently this is a question that all of us have.

The 8 inch slow spped grinder is the essential tool that 90% of people agree on.

I have gone a route, that apparently no one else beleives in, but it has worked wonders to improve my sharpening skills. For the Jig, I selected the Wood Cut Tru-Grind system. Set up time is seconds, repeatablilty is great. you can use the same jig for skew, spindle gouge or bowl gouge.

I guess it comes down to, they all work and each has it own advantages. At your local wood turning club, there will be enough people that let you try out most of these before having to buy one.

Good Luck with your decission, Lan

Re: what kind of grinder to buy

Lan Brady

>Tim,

If you live near a Woodcraft store. The have the 8" slow spped grinder on sale with 2white wheels installed. It is 75 dollars. I guess you could order on line, don't know about their shipping.

Lan