- Joined
- Nov 14, 2016
- Messages
- 3,163
I've looked at that for a bit. Not the reviews, as honestly this site is in the majority of web sites in this department, so I can't boycott 'em as there'd be zero options for too many things.... But I don't read their reviews. They most typically don't match my experiences. NOT SAYING that Grizzly isn't a valid source for entry level (or better sometimes) stuff, just that I won't even poison my brain by looking at their reviews, or the plethora of youtube reviews that's out there for most of their stuff...
So, studying that, I see a couple of things. First, I don't see a way to set up a "nose wheel" to grind on. I'm honestly not sure just how big of a deal that is, but I see several other belt grinders that offer it. The second thing I see (and fair enough....), it's gonna need a platten on the table for grinding most HSS bits. Not a big deal. The third thing I see, is it has the "NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE" disclaimer in the description. I'm not sure what the life span is going to be. In hobby use, which isn't commercial... It might go forever. Maybe they mean it's got a duty cycle, which won't bother 99 percent of us. Or maybe it's got (crap) castings and (crap) bearings throughout, and the speed controller has electronics designed for a 50 running hour service life.... I dunno, but that disclaier on a Grizzly tool bothers me. Not that it won't work, but that disclaimer says to me "Harbor Freight is gonna have a red version that's no worse in it's "building" price point, but half price in it's sales price point in another year or less....
With pessimism out of the way, I'm entertained by that. It's got a good footprint, but I'd have to get rid of two grinders (Well, one. The other is useless). I am NOT making room for another one. It would have to replace one regularly used one though. Could be any, but which one?..... At that price point, it's honestly something I gamble on. From what I can squeeze out of what little (very little) information I can find on it, including the web site, I suspect that it's "knife grinder" status, vs "belt grinder" status probably puts it into the "very light duty" category. I have not seen one "tortured" on youtube yet, to see what it'll do or how much it flexes, bends, etc. It might be out there, but I haven't found it.
All fair points, but for some context Jet sells a 2x42 / 8" belt / disc sander for about $700. Some here are using the Jet and it requires modification to be satisfactory for grinding lathe toolong..
The format and price are what I find attractive as it is a dedicated variable speed belt grinder not a combo belt / disk or wheel sander with a belt conversion.
I'm not trying to push this one, I mean I'm probably not buying one, but at that price it is kind of unique. I also look forward to the HF version where I can actually put my paws on one.