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Grinder height

R

Roger Petrella

Joined
Jan 3, 2020
Messages
5
Likes
3
Location
Colorado Springs, Colorado
I need to build a stand to mount my Delta 8" variable speed grinder and Wolverine jig setup. The stand will be basically a cabinet for storage with the grinder and jig mounted on top. Any suggestions as to the best height for the grinder above the floor?
 
One suggestion I have heard is to set the axis of the grinder at the same height as your lathe spindle. Mine ended up at that height by happenstance, but it works well.
 
What bill said plus how you work.
When I was hand grinding my bowl gouges I liked the grinder high so that the sharpening was done at eye level.
When I started using jigs for sharpening the bowl gouge I put the grinder a little lower than the lathe height.
 
I have mine at about 30" bench height which seams to work for me. The setup in the photo is the cabinet I built to support the grinder.IMG_20200116_082337.jpg
 
Setting it for spindle height assumes your lathe height is correct. I have my lathe spindle just a little above elbow height a d this let's me stand straight which helps with back problems. Then I ha e my grinder spindle at the same height so that when you are sharpening you are holding the tools roughly the same way as when you use them. That makes it easier to control.the grind.
 
For me, especially since I only use the platform to sharpen, and not jigs, the grinder needs to be pretty much the same height as my lathe. All the motions used in sharpening, jigs or not, are exactly what you use when you turn. A, B, C, anchor the tool, rub the bevel, cut.

robo hippy
 
The centerline of my grinder is 50" off the floor. I want to watch the sparks, the grind, and the light between the bevel and stone when I set the Wolverine bar. It's very easy on my back for doing all that with the grinder that high.
 
My grinder sits atop a set of drawers on casters next to the lathe - center of the wheels same height as the lathe spindle. Seems to work fine for me.

Three drawers and a space for the vac pump all fit nicely...
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. I ended up finding a small 3 drawer dresser at an ARC thrift store that had good dimensions. I added a 2x4 frame for some 4" casters from Harbor Freight to the bottom and a piece of 3/4" melamine covered particle board to the top. After the 8" Delta grinder was mounted it sits with the wheel centers within 1" of the center of my Delta midi lathe on its Harbor Freight workbench. The Wolverine jig set up great under the wheels with the guards on without needing any spacers anywhere. Now I can also store turning accessories in the drawers too.
 
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