Grinder Reviews Wanted

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 4:29 pm

videobear wrote:I like the WorkSharp 3000

As do I but not comfortable with it for lathe turning tools. Jim

cincinnati · Post by **cincinnati** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 6:11 pm

stephen_a._draper wrote:I recommend you look at Steel City. It is American Made and comes with a 5 year warranty. I have this one and it is a great variable speed.

http://www.steelcitytoolworks.com/produ ... tool=15420

I could be wrong on this one but don't think anything from Steel City is American made. Where do you see it advertised as such?

fjimp · Post by **fjimp** » Tue Oct 30, 2012 6:32 pm

cincinnati wrote:I could be wrong on this one but don't think anything from Steel City is American made. Where do you see it advertised as such?

On the Steel City web site under about us I found snip....

Together, they have been actively involved in every aspect of the woodworking machinery business and have built an extensive network of the best suppliers and manufacturing connections in Taiwan and mainland China. We also currently have an extended staff of 15 seasoned professionals, with an average of 26 years of experience in the business, along with an enthusiastic team of support employees.

bobgroh · Post by **bobgroh** » Wed Oct 31, 2012 10:59 pm

My comments on grinders and sharpening in general.

I am still 'evolving' on the subject - i.e. I haven't found a perfect answer yet! The answer seems to be a multiple answer because the items we are sharpening have different requirements! As an example, sharpening an axe with a diamond stone would be a bit of a stretch whereas sharpening a small gouge for carving with a grinder with a grey stone would be awful!

So I have a Woodcraft 8" slow speed grinder with the Wolvering setup for my lathe chisels. Works very nice although I have had to upgrade the bushings in the wheels as well as spend an outrageous amount of money for the diamond wheel dressing rig (a cheap diamond wheel dresser just didn't get the job done!). I do like having a sharpening setup for lathe tools that is independent of my lathe! (a SS Mark V).

I have purchased the Lee Valley honing guide for my chisels and plane irons (so far just using oil and water stones). I also have an Eclipse honing guide for those cases where it works well. And, despite all that, I still use the sanding disk on my SS for serious reworking of chisels before moving to the honing guide(s).

So that is 3 basic systems so far. Oh, and a Drill Doctor for drill bits (I am so tired of dull drill bits!!!!!). And I really need a fine honing setup (wheel plus adhesive). Maybe some day I'll be able to cover all bases. I am very much still a nubie but I do hate dull tools.

beeg · Post by **beeg** » Wed Oct 31, 2012 11:16 pm

bobgroh wrote: Oh, and a Drill Doctor for drill bits (I am so tired of dull drill bits!!!!!).

So how do you like that drill Dr.?

foxtrapper · Post by **foxtrapper** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 8:49 am

beeg wrote:So how do you like that drill Dr.?

I've got one, and love it. Yes, I can sharpen bits freehand, and have for many years. And I've got/had various other sharpening jigs/tools. The Drill Dr beats them all, far and away. It's quick and easy, once you understand how to use the machine. Watch the DVD, and then it all makes sense.

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 9:13 am

I also have a Drill Doctor and also love it. It's very quick and easy, and gives great results.

reible · Post by **reible** » Thu Nov 01, 2012 10:03 am

Ed in Tampa wrote:I'm curious why would a SS owner want a bench grinder?
After all we have the disk sander which does an excellent job on grinding.
Strip sander cited by the experts as be able to provide the sharpest grinds.
Conical sander which can shape or grind most anything.
Belt sander to really hog down metal.
And I think SS still sells grinder and grinder stone setup for SS.

Along with these we have the sharpening jig, and tons of homemade jigs to sharpen just about any tool or tool surface.

I have a bench grinder that I don't think I used since I got the SS. So I'm curious what is up with a bench grinder?

Well Ed some of us just want it all.

Yes I have the set of shopsmith related sanding gear, and yes I do use them, in fact I'm an especially big fan of the strip sander with the sharpening attachment (555812). I also have the older sharpening guide (555204) as well. I even have some homemade attachments so I'm pretty well stocked up on sharpening items.

The issue for me is that grinding doesn't always equal sharpening. I've been using grinders for a lot of years and feel comfortable using them for a lot of projects. If say I want to reshape a lathe tool I'm most likely to do the reshape on a grinder then go to another tool to put the final edge on it.

Another example might be something I'm working on now, I'm making a lathe tool to except carbide inserts. The bar stock needs to have several operations done to it. I like to use an angle grinder to do the rounding for the portion that goes in the handle, the section where the cutter goes will be done at the grinder, followed by wire brushing also at the grinder. I would not feel comfortable doing any of those operations on the shopsmith.

And in my case I'm going to replace a well worn old unit and might want something a bit nicer then what I have. You may not use yours but I sure do use mine and I plan to keep doing so.

Ed