how important is having a DECENT bench grinder vs. a $30 garage sale one?

Slow speed grinder’s rock.

Can’t vouch for the PC at Lowe’s because I purchase off of Craigslist and get way
better deals.

I’d get the trimmer, Millo. I’ve got a Tormek, a JET, a cheapo, and a treadle (that doesn’t really work, lol). I think it boils down to 1) the stone, 2) the motor, and 3) the available attachments. Unless you’re a lathe guy, I doubt you need anything other than a decent motor and stone. Find a quality vintage grinder at a garage sale and spend $30 on a nice stone. Then weedeat your property with your new trimmer:) Husqvarna by the way:)

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

+1 what Al said

-- There is nothing like the sound of a well tuned hand plane. - http://timetestedtools.wordpress.com (timetestedtools at hotmail dot c0m)

Don’t be scared, get the Baldor 1409W 14 Bench Grinder. You can probably snag one for a bit under $2,500 if you look around. Of course, its not going to be cheap to install that 3 phase 575 volt line.

-- www.newageneanderthal.blogspot.com . @NANeanderthal on twitter

^lol, that’s one way to go:) Probably won’t bog down on a 1/4 inch chisel:)

-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog

Al
we got one of those at work, and I swear it seems like it going to start a black hole when that thing starts up. It throws sparks, with a buffing wheel on it.

-- www.newageneanderthal.blogspot.com . @NANeanderthal on twitter

Craigslist can be your friend …if you find an 8” slow or variable speed grinder , I doubt you’ll ever need anything else.
Spend the money you saved on some good wheels to match your grinding / sharpening needs : )

-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.

Thanks a gazillion, guys… and yeah, that Baldor might have to wait a bit ;-) ...although the 14” is a larger/less steep radius for hollow-grinding so hey, maybe.

Nah. ;-)

The wheels on your grinder are as important or more so than the grinder itself. Use grey wheels on tool steels and you`ll likely damage the temper. Grey wheels are good for angle iron etc and not ww tools. Get some white wheels for O1 steel blades or blue wheels for stuff like A2 tool steel. Your Veritas iron will be either O1 or A2.

-- Dwight - "Free legal advice available - contact Dewey, Cheetam & Howe""

When I was in the USMC, my aviation shop had a Vietnam-era craftsman grinder. It saw heavy use on a daily basis. So when I needed a grinder for my own garage, I was thrilled to stumble upon the very same grinder on craigslist. Paid the princely sum of $25 (with pedestal) and its never failed to do what I’ve asked of it.

That’s a great looking grinder with the extended arbors, Ted : )

-- When did quiet and quite become the same word ? I'm guessing about the same time as your and you're did.

I use an old Cincinnati 6” 1750 rpm grinder outfitted with a 100 grit and 150 grit friable wheels. I picked up the grinder and stand for $20, replaced the bearings, painted it and mounted a Wolverine jig for sharpening turning tools under it. It did cost a little more for the jig but the grinder will run forever. I would look used and clean it up add some bearings and call it done. But thats just me. I dont like buying chinese tools.

-- My job is to give my kids things to discuss with their therapist....medic20447@gmail.com

The subtext I hear is “cheap” means used but good. Don’t let “cheap” in this case get you a HF tool (though there may be some good ones out there).

Fold up three tens in the corner of your billFOLD and attend to CL and you’ll find one that will last your lifetime and more. Think positive thoughts about it while you are whacking those hapless weeds.

Good info here on wheels. I thank you, posters, for that.

Kindly,

Lee

-- "...in his brain, which is as dry as the remainder biscuit after a voyage, he hath strange places cramm'd with observation, the which he vents in mangled forms." --Shakespeare, "As You Like It"

I have the 6” Porter-Cable from Lowe’s and I like it(I really like the flexible light and the variable speed), but I also have a vintage one I got for free from a family friend (a Ward’s Power Kraft) that I like much better.(more guts)

-- Lucas, "Someday woodworks will be my real job, until then, there's this http://www.melbrownfarmsupply.com"

cool, I’ll keep looking at Craig’s List. Later