Bench grinder

[Quaddog]

Can anyone recommend a decent 8’’ bench grinder? My old KEF one packed up this morning, must be thirty odd years old. Is it worth repairing? Had a quick look on the internet but most of the stuff looks a bit Mickey Mouse, flimsy. I really liked the adjustable tool rests on the old one, could adjust the angle as well as the closeness to the wheel. Looks like a bit of a wet day job for today.

 

[David.]

Take it into local rewinds place, probably is worth It because all the modern machinemart, etc Chinese ones will be shameful compared to that.

 

[Courier]

Probably cheaper to buy new, but a repair will most likely last longer... Then again it might be something super simple like a £2.50 capacitor !!!

 

[davieh3350]

What happened when it died?

 

[Quaddog]

It’s strange, I heard a clunk when I was grinding and it slowed down losing power. Switched on again and it spins weakly. Nothing feels loose or disconnected. Haven’t opened it up yet.

 

[Grassman]

I rarely use a bench grinder nowadays. 2 in the old workshop and not bothered moving them to the new one.
4.5" angle grinder seems to be it's successor.

 

[TripleSix]

Check the switch on your old grinder, they can give problems.

 

[David.]

Frankly, even if it cost £100 to get it back overhauled and pat tested, it would still be a better spend than the modern Sealey etc junk.
Could very well be just the capacitor.

 

[Quaddog]

Thanks for the replies. I agree angle grinders, especially cordless are brilliant but just occasionally a bench grinder is useful. I do a bit of woodwork and they’re great for sharpening plane irons and chisels. Had it to bits and can’t see anything wrong but it’s working now,of a fashion. It makes a hum when you switch on but won’t spin, almost wants to go backwards. If you give it a bit of a spin then switch on it goes. Thought it might be bearings but they’re fine.

 

[David.]

Capacitor, rewinds place will have one.

 

[Tim G]

Thanks for the replies. I agree angle grinders, especially cordless are brilliant but just occasionally a bench grinder is useful. I do a bit of woodwork and they’re great for sharpening plane irons and chisels. Had it to bits and can’t see anything wrong but it’s working now,of a fashion. It makes a hum when you switch on but won’t spin, almost wants to go backwards. If you give it a bit of a spin then switch on it goes. Thought it might be bearings but they’re fine.

It'll be the start capacitor then.

 

[Sausage]

It may not have a capacitor, some motors have 2 windings, 1 to start and the one to run which is switched by a centrifugal switch. The starter winding can fail, hum when switched on. If you spin the motor up and switch on the centrifugal switch has operated and then it works

 

[spanners and hammers]

yes had a 110v one do the same was fixable was one of the two mentioned problems above cant remember which one but agree worth a fix compared to most new on offer

 

[Tim G]

It may not have a capacitor, some motors have 2 windings, 1 to start and the one to run which is switched by a centrifugal switch. The starter winding can fail, hum when switched on. If you spin the motor up and switch on the centrifugal switch has operated and then it works

That is true, but if you look in @Quaddog 's pictures of the grinder dismantled, you can see the capacitor.

 

[davieh3350]

Anyone had a shock from a capacitor?
Read that you should discharge them before working on them.

 

[Netherfield]

Anyone had a shock from a capacitor?
Read that you should discharge them before working on them.

Yes and it can be quite a belt, just short out the terminals with a screwdriver first.

 

[HolzKopf]

It you don't repair it why not hunt around on eBay or from a used machine tool dealer for a second-hand one. Both of ours are over 30 years old; ones a Jones & Shipman, the other a Wolf. Most toolrooms use carbide or coated inserts on their conventional lathes and mills so the skill of 'off-hand' grinding hss lathe tools or freshening up the fronts of milling cutters is no longer required. Drills are still worthwhile to regrind off-hand, but I wish I had a pound for every drill I've seen 'reground' that then cuts worse than it did when the operator thought it needed attention. They don't then get too much use. Instead of spending £20 on one at Screwfix, I told my neighbour to buy his mates a beer or two. It's better value

HK

 

[Quaddog]

It you don't repair it why not hunt around on eBay or from a used machine tool dealer for a second-hand one. Both of ours are over 30 years old; ones a Jones & Shipman, the other a Wolf. Most toolrooms use carbide or coated inserts on their conventional lathes and mills so the skill of 'off-hand' grinding hss lathe tools or freshening up the fronts of milling cutters is no longer required. Drills are still worthwhile to regrind off-hand, but I wish I had a pound for every drill I've seen 'reground' that then cuts worse than it did when the operator thought it needed attention. They don't then get too much use. Instead of spending £20 on one at Screwfix, I told my neighbour to buy his mates a beer or two. It's better value

HK

Yes I don’t fancy any of the cheap ones, but seems to be like that with a lot of things nowadays, throwaway society. I’m going to try a new capacitor first as others have suggested.

 

[JohnBoy]

Another vote for fixing up. if you use it then modern ones arent a patch on the old ones.

 

[Quaddog]

Put a new capacitor on today and she’s away again. Thanks for all the useful tips.