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Thoughts on this benchgrinder?

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_120478_120478

1/2 HP motor - 120V, 60 Hz
Operates at 3400 RPM
6in. x 3/4in. grinding wheel
1/2in. arbor
1 year residential/90 day commercial warranty

I need a different belt sander (a 4" works...sort of....) and I don't have a bench grinder at all. Poking around the Northern Tool website, I found this one. By the reviews it appears you need to make sure the belt is running true but that was the only major, consistent complaint I found.

Has anyone used this? I'll be working on scales to begin with but would like to eventually move into blademaking using the stock removal method since a forge is a no-go for the foreseeable future. Not to mention the funds and space are equally limited.

There's a NT close to the house so it wouldn't be a blind internet purchase.

Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Andrew P on March 17, 2010 at 17:43

Now don't everybody chime in at once...LOL!

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on March 17, 2010 at 19:02

Nice to have a storefront that handy .. nothing like a hands/eyes on ..

You might also consider a disc/belt combo ..

Have you looked @ the Grizzly site .. I've purchased ONE item there .. it was EXACTLY as described .. nothing more .. nothing less .. I was satisfied ..

http://www.grizzly.com/products/category.aspx?key=550001

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Permalink Reply by Andrew P on March 17, 2010 at 19:28

Hadn't thought about Grizzly! I think the last time I looked at their website it was when I was pricing lathes. Ouch...

I've already got a Ryobi 4" beltsander w/a 6 or 8" disc similar to this:

Since the disc would be redundant, this might be a better idea:

Hmmm, pondering....

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on March 17, 2010 at 19:57

This is the ONE item I purchased from Grizzly .. I've been happy w/ it .. I ordered a variety of belts w/ it .. as I recall .. high grit belts were unavailable .. I purposely put alot of wear on a new belt to get something smoother .. it's been OK for the limited kits & mods that I do ..

I miss the 4" belt on my unit that died .. need to replace the motor on that one & resurrect it ..

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In MemoriamPermalink Reply by D ale on March 21, 2010 at 8:52

Kyley absolutely right .. the 1" belt w/ smaller dia rollers offers a distinct advantage .. when my 4" gave up the ghost .. I went w/ the 1" .. great for profiling & tighter curves .. removing some gaurds have clearanced the roller @ top for tighter radiuses ..

I do like mine ... but ... the 4" has a place too .. a motor replacement on my 4" is in the wks .. then .. rough stuff out on the 4 " .. tighter curves & finish profiling w/ the 1" ..........

It sounds like you have other sanders .. the 1" would make a useful addition .. IMHO

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Permalink Reply by Andrew P on March 21, 2010 at 9:48

Thanks guys, here's what I've pretty much settled on doing...

Harbor Freight has what looks to be the exact same 1x30 belt sander for $20 less than Grizzly. I mean, the only thing that looks different is the logo and I believe it's a 1/3hp vs the 1/4 hp of the Grizzly unit. There's a HF on my way home from work so I can get eyes on it before buying. I'd have to pay tax on it but even with tax, it comes out less than the Grizzly with shipping. I'm not a huge fan of HF's hand tools but their power tools seem to be of better quality than their hand tools as long as you understand their limitations. And a man's got to know his limitations...LOL!

The Ryobi will still have a place here and I'll eventually pick up a benchgrinder. Maybe my Dad will upgrade his (if he still has it), maybe my Grandfather will finally clean out his garage. Or not....LOL!

FWIW, here's what put me in this quandry. I picked up one of these kits a couple of years ago and finally got started on it last week:

The Ryobi handles the top and sides just fine. It's the bottom that's the issue the belt fits between the guard and pommel but the rollers don't. I could Dremel it but I'm not real happy with that option (as much as I love my Dremel), 60 grit sandpaper didn't seem to do anything and 120 grit crocus paper did even less.

Of course my patience level may be expecting faster results by hand. I need to work on my patience anyway. As the comedy group The Frantics put it: "You must develop patience my son." "Develop patience? Yeah, yeah, yeah, how long is that gonna take?"

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Permalink Reply by John Otis Swatsell on January 9, 2011 at 10:48

I have the bottom one as well, and I use it all the time. Now, you have to order the fine belts, and there are some drawbacks, but I like the little grinder. I got mine from Harbor Freight, because they were like 50% on sale and I just grabbed one. I actually have not been disappointed.

So far as Grizzly goes, they do have very expensive items and items for the hobby or craft work.

I looked at mine compared to the grizzly and did not find a lot of difference.

Andrew P said:

Hadn't thought about Grizzly! I think the last time I looked at their website it was when I was pricing lathes. Ouch...

I've already got a Ryobi 4" beltsander w/a 6 or 8" disc similar to this:

Since the disc would be redundant, this might be a better idea:

Hmmm, pondering....