Grizzly Grinder

TJ,
I don't have one, but a friend of mine who is just starting out does. He is not at all happy with it. He tells me that he would rather use his little 1X42. The main things he has complained about is that the motor gets in the way when grinding, and that the tracking systems does not work properly (he has to constantly adjust it) I, personally am not a fan of the "two wheel" style of grinders, but then again, it's all in what you get used to. I would strongly recommend saving your money and purchasing a good, namebrand grinder. I have two wiltons in the shop that have been going strong for almost 12 years now. With routine maintenance I see no reason that these machines won't last another 12 years.
http://www.mtn-webtech.com/~caffrey

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Ed Caffrey
"The Montana Bladesmith"


 
Ed's Right!!!

A hand file is better than bad grinder!! Look in the used tool pages, I found an old but good wilton and love it!! You can't learn to grind on a substandard grinder! If you can afford a new one, good, if you can afford veriable speed, go for it!!

Doug
 
TJ,

I will admit that I have one. I've had it for about 4 years. The price was right. But it took them about 6 months to send it to me. They had quality issues with several batches, and returned them to the manufacturer (their story.)

As mentioned above, the belt tracking is not very effective. The belt usually runs about 1/4" to the right. The platent is all but useless. It's not very good for precision grinding. I usually use it for de-scaling, and rough grinding to about 120 grit.

One good note, the buffing spindle has good reach. But that makes it one expensive buffer!

Centaur
 
MIxed report here. I have one and love it.
BUT....I got it for free from a friend who had upgraded to a Bader BIII. He kept the motor So I am running it off an old washing machine motor with a 4 size pully wheel for multiple speeds.
It way outperforms my old rockwell 1x42" rattle trap, but I did have some modifications done at a machine shop. I'm on a real shoestring budget, so I can identify with the temptation of getting the Grizzley.
I saved up for a couple months and tried, and they didn't have any in stock, and couldn't tell me when they would be getting them in. Also the guy who gave me this one had to rebuild the motor and send the contact wheel back twice before they got it right.
My advice is this. Look into a Kalamazoo or similar (just the grinder without motor). Scrounge yourself a motor and multi pully wheel. YOu should be able to put something together for about the same price as the Grizzley (or less!) that will be better quality (and multi-speed).
Good Luck!!
Happycat
 
I have a grizzly purchased last year. There are many older threads... too bad the search is still gone. Grizzly must have improved quality control because I haven't had a single problem. I jamb a block to tighten the tension spring after adding the belt. This has helped tracking. I would say if the cost of other machines prohibit you from getting started, get the Grizzly... If you can grind a good blade on the Grizzly just imagine what you can do on a Bader or BurrKing!

Steve
 
Funny how these things work... I just noticed the search is back. Do a search on "grizzly" in this (Shop Talk) forum. There are about 8-10 related threads.

Steve
 
Thanks Guys The replys I received were about what I expected. You pays your money and takes your choice.
I made a grinder 2x72 with a 10 ' contact wheel.I do all my grinding on the platen so this one has 2x16 inch one.It tracks ok but wanders a little from side to side when I try to plunge cut.Makes a mess.I'll have to stop that wandering.
Thanks again I was looking for a cheap way out
Thanks Again TJ
 
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