Grizzly Surface Grinder

[benmychree]

I have seen B&S Micromaster hydraulic surface grinders for less than that; run, do not walk to the nearest exit!

 

[jmkasunich]

I have one of those import single-phase surface grinders. It has a few advantages:
1) It comes apart into chunks that can be moved into a basement. Still not made of feathers, I had to lower the base down the stairs with a block and tackle and used similar rigging to lift it onto the bench. But total weight is probably less than 500 lbs and largest part maybe 200-250. The proverbial "$500 B&S MicroMaster" is going to weigh a ton or so, and 2/3 of that will be one big casting.
2) Single phase 120V. Again, convenient for installation.

As someone else mentioned, the vertical adjustment dial is too coarse at 0.001 or maybe 0.0005 per division. I made a mount for a tenths dial indicator, so that once I'm close the the proper height I can slide the indicator down and move the head in tiny increments. If anyone is interested I can take pictures; it was a simple project.

That said, I only paid a couple hundred bucks for mine. $500 is too much and $1500 is insane. Especially since it seems to be missing some handles, the table is very rusty, and the ways seem like they are rusty (unless that's cosmoline). Unless you are both in a machine tool desert AND need it to go in a basement, there's got to be a better deal out there.

In my case, I've had the import for probably 6-8 years, but I bought a Harig 6x18 for $600 or so a year ago. It needs some work, I might have $1000 in it by the time I'm done. It won't be in the basement, but it will be a much better grinder.

 

[DavidR8]

I'd run fast and far away from that at at $1500.

 

[ltlvt]

The generally accepted reason they sell cheap is due to the fact that a production shop, or even a job shop, wants an automatic surface grinder. They don't want an employee standing there turning wheels all day long.
I have an el-cheapo VFD on mine that works great.

This one is 110 volt single phase. Are the X and y both hand feed on these? I could live with the X being hand feed, but the Y would be a real pain in the rear.

 

[jmkasunich]

This one is 110 volt single phase. Are the X and y both hand feed on these? I could live with the X being hand feed, but the Y would be a real pain in the rear.

They are 100% hand feed. Mine at least has ball-ways, so I don't need popeye arms to run it. But still looking at automating it someday.

 

[7milesup]

This one is 110 volt single phase. Are the X and y both hand feed on these? I could live with the X being hand feed, but the Y would be a real pain in the rear.

Mine is 100% manual. It was also three-phase and 220 volts. I run it off of 220 volts, but I have a rather cheap VFD that converts my single-phase line to three-phase. I don't use mine very often, but when I need it, it sure is nice. Also, I should point out that since mine is a manual machine, it probably weighs somewhere around 1000 lbs, maybe slightly less.

Now that I think about it, all of the automatic surface grinders I have seen are hydraulicly operated, which adds complexity and mess (whenever I work on hydraulics I usually end up with oil all over).

 

[projectnut]

The generally accepted reason they sell cheap is due to the fact that a production shop, or even a job shop, wants an automatic surface grinder. They don't want an employee standing there turning wheels all day long.
I have an el-cheapo VFD on mine that works great.

I would agree that an automated machines are much preferred in a production shop. The downside for a hobbyist is the size, power requirements, and complexity of the hydraulic system. The pump/reservoir portion easily doubles the floor space needed. It also adds hydraulic oil to the equation that usually stinks and can be a real mess should a valve or hose leak.

If a table and the ways or balls are in good shape moving the table side to side or front to back should be effortless. I can move the table on my Sanford with a 20 lb. weight on it in either direction with 1 finger. It's not hard to do, but it is mind numbing if you have a fairly large part. I was able to test out the machine before making the purchase. I bought it specifically because of the ease of use, and the amount of floor space it takes up.

Some pros may dismiss some single-phase machines, but I don't believe that's unanimous across the industry. I have seen single phase machines in many shops. A good grinder hand can easily get a glass smooth surface with the right composition, bond, grit, hardness, and proper feeds and speeds. My Sanford was a middle of the road manual machine built in the early 1950's. It has a single phase 120/240v motor. Even with my limited experience with the machine I can get a good finish. According to the sales brochure it weighs 630 lbs.

Attached are a few pictures of the machine, and a brochure for the 1953 models. Note the typo in the "Vertical Handwheel" line. The text says it's graduated in half thousandths (.0005"). The numerical value to the right is five thousandths (.005"). The .0005" in the text is correct. There's also about 1/4" between the .0005" lines so it's fairly easy to hit .0002" with no additional measuring instruments.

 

[ddickey]

@ltlvt That would be a hard pass. I purchased a Bridgeport 815 surface grinder on an auction for slightly less than $500. It is much more capable than the "toy" from Grizzly. Mine also came with a magnetic chuck.
Industrial-grade surface grinders, including fully automatic ones, can usually be found at machinery auctions for less than $1000.

Here is an auction that was just completed on Tuesday of this week. https://www.machinesused.com/auctions/234/category/45/grinders?lot_type=closed

Looks like prices have begun to tank.

 

[ltlvt]

Looks like prices have begun to tank.

Thanks . This is why I love this forum. Good honest experienced responses. I'm gona pass on it. Seems it is not intended for precision work. Knife making but not really accurate work.

 

[verbotenwhisky]

I am working on a deal to possibly buy this surface grinder. He says it is almost brand new (one owner used very little) They are asking $2000 and I have offered $1500. Owner says it comes with the mag chuck but no table. Owner is also willing to meet me half way on the driving distance. It is about 2 hr drive from me. What's your thoughts on these little grinders. I have not been a big fan of Grizzly but never owned one either.

I have several Grizzly machines and like them all; but, Grizzly sells everything from junk to treasure so you have to do serious due diligence, I would not buy it used unless its an extraordinary deal, often if you watch the Grizzly site they will have sales that rival used pricing.