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Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998

Veritas - Innovation in Tools

Steel City bench grinder first impressions

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Steel City bench grinder first impressions

#1

Steel City bench grinder first impressions 

Dave Paine

My local Woodcraft store had a deep discount on a left over Steel City 8in slow speed grinder. The company went out of business I think in late 2014. If I recall General tools of Canada purchased the brand name in early 2015.

The unit has 3/4 HP motor, 1750 rpm, 8in wheels.

It is hefty, about 75 lbs. A lot heavier than my Rikon slow speed grinder which is 1/2HP, but even with the motor difference the Steel City base, guards and platforms are heavier.

Two screw holes on the top of each guard to mount a light.

I have to say overall impression is that this is intended to be a robust design. Only time will tell if the Chinese manufacturing will hold up with use.


A feature which really pushed me to take the risk is built in dust collection. I have not seen another bench grinder with dust collection. They may exist, I just have not seen others. The guards are a light weight pot metal or magnesium alloy, but decent thickness.

The platforms are decent, although I expect I will use a separate platform or jig for sharpening turning tools.


I will eventually upgrade to CBN wheels. I have read many post on this and other forums about the fine dust generated by CBN wheels. I am hoping the built in dust collection will extract the majority of the dust.

Another feature I really like is the built in wheel balancing. A balancing hub on each wheel. I also noticed the thick acrylic eye shield. Much thicker than on my Rikon..


The other side of the wheel has a thick washer to help with support of the wheel.

The machine runs VERY quiet and especially smooth. Hardly any vibration. This has to be due to the balancing and robust wheel supports.

I purchased this today so only able to post these first impressions.

It is a shame Steel City went out of business. I do like the features and design of this grinder.


Re: Steel City bench grinder first impressions

#2

Re: Steel City bench grinder first impressions

david delo

Congrats, that is a nice performing unit from everything I've heard also. I bought the 1hp Rikon when they first came out with the introductory price at the Harrisburg, PA Woodcraft store. After I paid for it, I was wandering around the store and saw the last SC unit they had tucked away in a corner. Can't remember but I think they still wanted nearly a hundred bucks more. Was tempted but stuck with the Rikon. Nice find, sure your enjoy using it.

Re: Steel City bench grinder first impressions

#3

Re: Steel City bench grinder first impressions

Dave Paine

I bought this at the Allentown, PA store. The owner, Ray Winkler also owns the Harrisburg store.

The store clerk told me the store purchased the inventory direct from Steel City at the time. I think they have been trying to sell this for some time. I only paid attention to the dust collection while at the turning club meeting this week. I then did some internet searches, saw an old video on the operation by Steel City and liked the smooth operation.

If it had not run as smooth at the store, I would have walked away. The store clerk commented how smooth this ran.

Re: Steel City bench grinder first impressions

#4

Re: Steel City bench grinder first impressions

robo hippy

I like the dust collection set up, but there is extreme fire hazard with inhaling metal sparks. There are specialized collectors for them.

robo hippy

Re: Steel City bench grinder first impressions

#5

Re: Steel City bench grinder first impressions

John K Jordan

My Metabo grinder has "dust" ports. So far, I've only used it with a small shop vac I use only for metal shavings. I wonder if a wet/dry vac with some water in the bottom would be a safe way to go.

When sharpening a gouge on another grinder the other day with a CBN wheel I had a strong light from the side. I was surprised at the amount of ultra-fine steel dust floating in the air. With the CBN wheels I have only rarely seen a sparks and they were very small.

JKJ

Re: Steel City bench grinder first impressions

#6

Re: Steel City bench grinder first impressions

Roger Chandler

I have the same grinder with two CBN wheels on it. What your post did not mention is that it is industrial rated with premium bearings and motor. I almost purchased it in 2014 from Highland Hardware who was singing its praises as a grinder that ran true with no wobble, etc. Money was a little tight for that investment at the time, but I picked one up last summer, and really like it....with the two CBN wheels, it is so smooth it is a pleasure to grind my gouges on.

There are still some around for anyone interested.....Utter Guys tools out of Florida had some the last time I checked. A couple of other guys in our club got one and really like it as well.

One of the best dust extraction systems I have seen on a grinder!

Re: Steel City bench grinder first impressions

#7

Re: Steel City bench grinder first impressions

Jorge Castaneda

I remember a discussion about sparks and dust collection, a canister with a baffle and water at the bottom was a safe solution. Maybe Jesper posted it?

The micro metal dust floating in the shop, scary, we need to figure out something..

Re: Steel City bench grinder first impressions

#8

Re: Steel City bench grinder first impressions

Mike Brazeau

An article in WJ mentions that Nordis bought the inventory. Nordis is a wholesale division of Normand Tools in Quebec who deal in high end professional factory type tools as well as wood shop tools. They also represent Nova Lathes and Triton in Eastern Canada. They have a few retail outlets in Ontario and Quebec and a friend picked up one of these grinders for $215 Cdn last week. One of our guild members actually imported one from the U.S. a few months back because he wanted it so badly. At the time Normand did not have them. He raves about its performance with CBN wheels and bought a second at a recent local woodshow.

Re: Steel City bench grinder first impressions

#9

Re: Steel City bench grinder first impressions  *LINK*

Dave Paine

I read some post about General International purchasing Steel City but you are correct it was Nordis.

Not clear if they will be making the brands tools or just purchased the old inventory.


http://nordis.ca/e-steelcity.html

Re: Steel City bench grinder first impressions

#10

Re: Steel City bench grinder first impressions

Mike Brazeau

One of the guys who,was part of the trio that started Steel City lives in our community. I know him to see him but he doesn't know me. He is working for Normand it seems these days and was at the Hamilton Woodshow at the end of Feb. wanted to speak to him but never got a round to it. He ran Delta Canada. How we wish the old Delta still existed!