New Grinder is too high.

J. Hoffman

J. Hoffman

Joined
Jan 1, 2011
Messages
1,798
My new grinder arrived today, and as I feared it is too high on my work bench. I really don't have another option for placement because of my small work area, so it needs to stay on the work bench. I don't want to lower the whole bench because I like the height of it for other tasks. I'm thinking of building a riser out of 2x6's for me to stand on while grinding, and then it could swing out of the way on hinges when not in use. Does this seem like a feasible idea, or does anyone have other suggestions.
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What a horrible problem to have with a TW-90. You better ship it to me. I have a shorter bench and I will ship you mine.

Seriously, a riser is what I would do.
 
I don't think you will like the riser the first time you fall off or trip over it. Cut that bench between the vice and grinder and lower the last 2' or so of the bench to accommodate the appropriate height. You clearly have the skills to re-support / re-frame both.
 
I have a riser but don't use it much. It just kinda gets in the way and I am always moving it. I ended up making a lower bench to do my hand work on. My grinders are either the right height (no swivel though) or attached to my mill so I can raise/lower it to the height I desire. Cutting the bench down would be the best bet or even a stool for horizontal work like Steven mentioned.
 
alb1k said:
I don't think you will like the riser the first time you fall off or trip over it. Cut that bench between the vice and grinder and lower the last 2' or so of the bench to accommodate the appropriate height. You clearly have the skills to re-support / re-frame both.
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+1 I find anything on the floor in a shop like a stool or platform is just an accident waiting to happen (especially a small shop). If nothing else, it's a huge pain in the butt since I'd be kicking it and stumbling over it all the time.
 
I've been realizing recently that my grinder is a bit too high also, and while I've considered the riser, I rejected it for the same reasons mentioned here.

I think personally, I'm going to be shifting to using a pedestal anyway. I don't feel comfortable having my grinders on a wooden bench or structure of any kind honestly, since I'm always starting fires in the shop. =\ Pretty easy to buy a piece of 3-4" pipe and some plates from the scrap yard, weld them up, tap a few holes and bolt stuff down, and you get to move around the grinder more freely also, which I find to be a boon. Only a small part of my grinder work is done standing directly in front of it personally.


Just my 2c.
 
I have a 3 foot long 4 " X 12 " piece of a bridge plank in front of my grinders, some students are short and some tall, when not in use I just kick it under the bench. A grinder that is too tall makes for hard times. It looks like your bench is a good solid one and will take all the pressure you can lay on it.
 
Yes, I believe that the best answer is to buy an individual pedestal. Baldor sells pedestals for grinders at several different heights. I'd recommend using one of those or fabricating your own version to your desired height. After all, it is the most important operation, and it might as well be right for you . . . whether your preferred method is standing or sitting.

Mike L.
 
Platform shoes. They should go with the rest of your costume just fine.:eek:

Seriously though, a pedestal might be OK but may well not provide enough stability for you to lean into your grinder when hogging. At least brace it against the back wall.
 
Salem Straub said:
Platform shoes. They should go with the rest of your costume just fine.:eek:
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not sure how the goldfish will handle life in them shoes in a shop

yep i would get a platform since your aganst choping up your work bench(cant blame you for that )
im the other way due to the way i grind i keep my grinder up high and it bugs the hell out all but the tallest that stop by
 
Run away from a riser, at my last job I worked on a slightly raised platform and spent about 2 week over that first year off work with sprained ankles:eek: The last thing you want to do is come off the riser awkwardly while the grinder is running and and you have a pointy object in your hand. the next best thing to a dedicated bench for your grinder is to cut a step into it like others have suggested. I am in a similar situation and will be cutting my bench to create a lower section for my grinder.
 
I think I'm going to try it like this for a bit. The center of the wheel comes to the middle of my chest. It may be a little higher than I like, but maybe not to bad. I looked at those little work benches from Craftsman, but I just don't really know where I would put it. I need to fit two vehicles and a Harley in my work shop.
 
You should send me the Harley..... I would be willing to house it for you for free.

In my opinion...
Please avoid platforms. I worked in a T&D shop for 14yrs and saw too many injuries as a direct result from platforms. If you are grinding chest height, you will have a natural tendency to raise your shoulders as you work... that leads to back and neck problems. Conventional wisdom says you should be holding the piece with your arms at your side, bent at the elbow 90degs for the majority of your work. As with any repetative task, it is good to switch it up once in a while.

Looking at your avatar... I would also suggest rolling up your sleeves...... and maybe wearing a shop apron.

NICE GRINDER, BTW!
 
I'd shorten the bench and build a lower table for the grinder. Since the grinder's fixed, it's not like you're going to be missing the height directly around the grinder.

That, or you could replace your bench with a hydraulic work table that can be adjusted on the fly. ;)
 
My thoughts echo those of guys like Rick. Any type of platform is an accident waiting to happen.

In my head, you have two main options... lower the entire bench and put risers under the other tools, or do some cutting/gluing/screwing to make the area with the grinder lower. Speaking of grinders, I hate you now, FWIW ;) :D

When I first got my Burr King, I got so hung up on how high to place it, I built a little fixture so I could raise/lower it, clamp it in that position, and try it. When I came up with the right height for me, I built a bench that height. Fast forward to two additional KMG's and a variable disc, and the bench was too low for that stuff. I put risers under the KMG's. (of course I realize my solution was far simpler than yours would be for a similar outcome).

Smart purchase!!! :thumbup:

edited to add: The pedestal route would work well too, so long as you bolt it to the floor with wedge anchors. I agree with Salem in that even a 500 pound pedestal would move while hogging if not bolted down (yes, I know this as fact! ;) :D ).
 
Thank you all for the advice. My first instinct is to ignore all of your expert advice and just do the platform, (its the easiest fix) but then I remember why I asked the question in the first place...duhh! I really appreciate everyones input. I haven't even had a chance to plug it in yet, and I already love the TW90. I'll give a detailed review with full photos once I get it up and running. Rick, thanks for the advice about the long sleeves and apron, but you don't have to worry. I don't make knives in those clothes, those are just my "Saturday night on the town" clothes. :D
 
A great grinder like that, deserves the extra attention of a safe, comfortable station.

Nice legs.


Rick
 
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