Bench Grinder?

[Jemblade]

Let me tell you a story...

When I first started into this addictive hobby, my misguided exuberance led me to purchase a HF bench grinder to start grinding out bevels... My Idiotic purchase was very quickly apparent, and was quickly ditched for a much more effective filing jig (thank you Aaron).

Still, the ole grinder was put to good use roughing out profiles. This was still pretty tedious, until I got my 2x42. Then again, I quickly realized that the belt grinder was a much better option for this task as well. So, my poor investment sits unwanted and unloved in the corner or my bench, like the forgotten remnants of my kid's candy bucket from last Halloween (you know, all the hard candies and Dum Dums and stuff).

So, my good craftsmen and teachers I implore you when I beg the question... What the hell do you guys use this for?

Seriously, the obvious is to rig it as a buffing wheel, but quite frankly that scares the crap out of me. Do you have any other use for it?

 

[grizzled gizzard]

You could probably put smallish buffing wheels on it. Something about the same diameter of the grinding wheels and kind of narrow (1/2" probably best). Buffers run at 3600 RPM, as your grinder most likely does, so it's more a matter of the longevity of the grinder than anything.

I use greaseless abrasive like crazy on my buffers for lengthwise sanding or finishing a blade, so in that capacity you don't have to worry about "clearing" your motor housing, so you could even use 4" wheels on it. Should live forever like that.

 

[12345678910]

general shop use

I keep one wheel for sharpening drills

I put a wire wheel on the other side for cleaning up rust off screws and such.

 

[Bob Ohlemann]

My bench grinder has two Scotch-Brite wheels on it and I use them almost every day. They will cost you about twice what the grinder did. I am also a proponent of putting 4" buffs on a 3600rpm motor. Get a couple tapered spindle adapters for the grinder and you can change things out quickly.

Bob

 

[jobasha11]

All I use it for is sharpening drill bits and tungstens.

 

[Jemblade]

You could probably put smallish buffing wheels on it. Something about the same diameter of the grinding wheels and kind of narrow (1/2" probably best). Buffers run at 3600 RPM, as your grinder most likely does, so it's more a matter of the longevity of the grinder than anything.

I use greaseless abrasive like crazy on my buffers for lengthwise sanding or finishing a blade, so in that capacity you don't have to worry about "clearing" your motor housing, so you could even use 4" wheels on it. Should live forever like that.

Yeah, I was kinda figuring that I could retrofit it with a buffer wheel, maybe I will look into that. Though I am hesitant with hearing all the horror stories... Tight grip, tight grip, tight grip...

I do notice my bits starting to get a bit dull, maybe I'll just learn to use it for this purpose and just recognize that this will continue to be one of my least used tools...

 

[Augus7us]

I bought quite a few stone grinders/buffers/wire wheels when I started out just like you. One was an older variable speed craftsman that I've retro fitted with a buffer wheel and it has worked out nice so far. I'm not sure on the harbor freight model but with both the bench models I have a lot of the risk of a flying knife is mitigated by the bottom work rest. Makes it too tight a fit to grab and fling the blade around. This is not to say it cannot still be dangerous, it can, but I think a lot of the horror stories we've read about are open wheel buffers, which I have one of those also and I can certainly see how it can grab and fling a blade at me.

My advice is a tight grip and be very careful when buffing around the tip. Use a face shield and leather apron if you have one while you are getting comfortable with using it. The other thing I will note is that unlike my open wheel, the motor on the bench models is not real strong and any real pressure tends to stall them out.

A wire wheel is also essential in my shop so look into one of those as someone else mentioned.

 

[Jemblade]

I bought quite a few stone grinders/buffers/wire wheels when I started out just like you. One was an older variable speed craftsman that I've retro fitted with a buffer wheel and it has worked out nice so far. I'm not sure on the harbor freight model but with both the bench models I have a lot of the risk of a flying knife is mitigated by the bottom work rest. Makes it too tight a fit to grab and fling the blade around. This is not to say it cannot still be dangerous, it can, but I think a lot of the horror stories we've read about are open wheel buffers, which I have one of those also and I can certainly see how it can grab and fling a blade at me.

My advice is a tight grip and be very careful when buffing around the tip. Use a face shield and leather apron if you have one while you are getting comfortable with using it. The other thing I will note is that unlike my open wheel, the motor on the bench models is not real strong and any real pressure tends to stall them out.

A wire wheel is also essential in my shop so look into one of those as someone else mentioned.

Thank you for the safety tips. I think I will be looking into this a bit further. I hate not using equipment I have spent good money on to acquire.

I have the tool rests, but if I was going to put on a buffing when I would think that they would have to come off to give me space to work.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

The wheels would be too close to the motor and frame for safe use with buffs.

Use it for what a bench grinder is meant for........ shaping tools tips ( screwdrivers), grinding simple things, and wire brushing rust.

Look at a lot of knife making videos and shop tours. It is rare you will see an experienced smith using a bench grinder for any knife task.

 

[Jemblade]

The wheels would be too close to the motor and frame for safe use with buffs.

Use it for what a bench grinder is meant for........ shaping tools tips ( screwdrivers), grinding simple things, and wire brushing rust.

Look at a lot of knife making videos and shop tours. It is rare you will see an experienced smith using a bench grinder for any knife task.

Good to know on the wheel spacing. Thanks Stacy! Yeah, like I mentioned it was very quickly apparent that it was a mistake to start my bench with that purchase. Thanks everyone for all your input.

 

[Maelstrom78]

I use mine after cutting out my blank to start the profiling. Hog off the big stuff just because I'm cheap with abrasive belts.

 

[Jemblade]

I use mine after cutting out my blank to start the profiling. Hog off the big stuff just because I'm cheap with abrasive belts.

I hear you. But, I am even cheaper with my time. Especially since I only get to spend a few hours at my bench during the week:thumbdn:

 

[Lone Fortress]

I actually still use mines for making the grinds and profiling, only because I currently can not afford a decent belt grinder though. As long as the wheel is kept in fair shape, it does not give me many problems besides the grinds being hell to finish.