Best grinder

[Kent Reisdorph]

I think a lot of the time, the question boils down to "Get the best, or get something that works well enough." Occasionally, you will actually have a NEED for "the best" and in that case, you'd best get the best and what you need. Most of the time, though, there is usually something SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than "the best" that does the job you need it to do, just perfectly fine, plenty good enough, and it will work for plenty of years (maybe even decades), for...1/10th the cost? Or even less (say used)?

I generally try to avoid buying the cheapest thing, but at the same time, while I always dream about owning the best, I usually end up with something run of the mill that works well enough for my need, gets the job done, and saves me a TON of money. I will then usually only spend money on something better and more expensive, when I've been given a darn good reason to. My shop is mostly Jet machines, grinder is a $110 Rikon...Jet works, works well, does the key important job, but doesn't add a lot of flare or extra features. The Rikon grinder is fine (I think it did require some leveling) and has been great with two CBN wheels. These things are nicer on my wallet.

Over time, I ended up with a Powermatic 3520C lathe. That was the result of having had two lathes fail on me, dealing with very, very lengthy tech support and RMA processes often spanning many months at a time, and finally getting fed up...then encountering an awesome sale for the Powermatic. That's usually how I'll end up with better, more expensive equipment...it literally becomes a need. The Powermatic was my fourth lathe in, heck, about two years? Most of the time though, I try to be softer on my wallet and buy good, functional, effective, reliable...but not "the best."

That pretty much sums up my approach.

 

[robo hippy]

I have 2 of the heavy wheels from D Way. I NEVER leave my grinder running. Part of that is because I sharpen a bunch of tools at once, then turn. I use a 5/8 gouge for finish cuts on the outside, and a 1/2 inch gouge for finish cuts on the inside. I have a bunch of NRSs, including one lefty for the recess. I have 2 Big Ugly tools that go for half a day before needing to be resharpened, and keep a burnishing tool in my pocket for refreshing the burr. I did have one 40/40 NRS, and it wouldn't hold an edge even with a burnished burr. Now all of my NRSs are 25/55. I had always figured that the burr needed a certain amount of metal to support it, which is why they go dull so quickly.

robo hippy

 

[JeffSmith]

That’s one reason I keep multiples of the same tool (mostly unhandled). When an edge of one gets dull, I remove it from the handle and set it in the “to sharpen” pile and grab another one.

I got in to the same habit after spending some time in my mentor’s shop early on in my turning adventure…he had three of each of his most used tools ready to go. I’ve done the same ever since…I’d rather be at the lathe than the grinder.

 

[Alan Weinberg]

1 hp Rikon arrives tomorrow.

 

[Jon Rista]

1 hp Rikon arrives tomorrow.

Not a bad choice! I think it will serve you well for many, many years to come.

Its not an absolute necessity, but, if you want the best sharpening you can get, you should consider adding CBN wheels at some point (and make sure you get the spherical washer sets to help them self-balance if you do get them.) Depending on what you do, you might want different grits. An 80 or grit would be useful if you grind a lot of your own tools, or reshape often. A 600 is good for getting a fine edge right off the wheel. I started with an 80 and a 350 for my CBN wheels, which I swapped in pretty quickly after I bought my Rikon. In hindsight, I have wished I'd gone with a 600 ever since. The 350 does ok, but it doesn't leave the best edge, and while I could hone it or strop it, it would take a lot more time to clean it up than just using a 600 grit. A friend recently swapped out their old 600 CBN for a new one, and has passed along their old one to me. Really looking forward to swapping out my 350 for the 600 when it arrives!

 

[Alan Weinberg]

Not a bad choice! I think it will serve you well for many, many years to come.

Its not an absolute necessity, but, if you want the best sharpening you can get, you should consider adding CBN wheels at some point (and make sure you get the spherical washer sets to help them self-balance if you do get them.) Depending on what you do, you might want different grits. An 80 or grit would be useful if you grind a lot of your own tools, or reshape often. A 600 is good for getting a fine edge right off the wheel. I started with an 80 and a 350 for my CBN wheels, which I swapped in pretty quickly after I bought my Rikon. In hindsight, I have wished I'd gone with a 600 ever since. The 350 does ok, but it doesn't leave the best edge, and while I could hone it or strop it, it would take a lot more time to clean it up than just using a 600 grit. A friend recently swapped out their old 600 CBN for a new one, and has passed along their old one to me. Really looking forward to swapping out my 350 for the 600 when it arrives!

I’ve got a D-way 180 and a Woodturner Wonder 600, both CBN. Rikon arrived today, so the place I bought it—for $100 less than anywhere else—is real.

RIKON 80-820: 8 inch Low Speed Grinder 1 HP 1-1/2 wheel 60 & 120 grit

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