Should I get a surface grinder?

[Aaron_W]

If you do buy it make sure you look into the special needs when moving them. They can be easily damaged from bumping down the road if the wrong bits are left in place.

 

[C-Bag]

This one showed up locally... is this something that, as a newbie, I will benefit from having?

Do not ask where the heck I will place it... but, if the price is right, should I try to get it and add it to the machines that I have?

What would be a fair price for it?

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I have that same bug but after doing a long dive on a thread here and everyone chiming in I felt like I got a good grasp of what I needed to look for. You can really get in deep yogurt if there’s a problem, I mean really deep. Like outta commission and time and $$ sink. For whatever reason two likely candidates popped up semi local so I went for a look see. One of the tips was look at the ways which is easy to do. You can lift the table off with some help. My #1 pick which I was told by the son the machine mostly sat and was used very little. The ways were trashed. Either he never used the oiler or the oiler didn’t work. Either way fail. The other was a very small Taiwan grinder that had actually never been actually set up. But the whole process made me think twice. Probably if I’d not gotten my Checkel I would have gotten it using needing a tool grinder as my excuse. So far the whole process broke me of thinking I need a surface grinder…….for now.

 

[wachuko]

If you do buy it make sure you look into the special needs when moving them. They can be easily damaged from bumping down the road if the wrong bits are left in place.

Need to read more to learn what those bits are. Thank you.

 

[wachuko]

The answer is always yes.

 

[mmcmdl]

You know my opinion ! My neighbor has a Reid he's selling , and I'm not buying !

 

[Aaron_W]

I have that same bug but after doing a long dive on a thread here and everyone chiming in I felt like I got a good grasp of what I needed to look for. You can really get in deep yogurt if there’s a problem, I mean really deep. Like outta commission and time and $$ sink. For whatever reason two likely candidates popped up semi local so I went for a look see. One of the tips was look at the ways which is easy to do. You can lift the table off with some help. My #1 pick which I was told by the son the machine mostly sat and was used very little. The ways were trashed. Either he never used the oiler or the oiler didn’t work. Either way fail. The other was a very small Taiwan grinder that had actually never been actually set up. But the whole process made me think twice. Probably if I’d not gotten my Checkel I would have gotten it using needing a tool grinder as my excuse. So far the whole process broke me of thinking I need a surface grinder…….for now.

There is also a wide range of complexity involved, from fully manual, mechanical machines to machines with lots of hydraulics.

I'd love one of those little Sanford machines, but always way to much money for the limited use I'd have.

 

[woodchucker]

Save your money. Mostly you won't need it.
I rarely use mine. BUT, I did make a shelf for the shower out of 304 Stainless Steel . the SS was rough, and I had to surface grind it to get it to the finish I wanted.

I do use it, but have been considering getting rid of it.

Get some real work done and when you need it pull the trigger, unless the price and condition are awesome.

 

[C-Bag]

There is also a wide range of complexity involved, from fully manual, mechanical machines to machines with lots of hydraulics.

I'd love one of those little Sanford machines, but always way to much money for the limited use I'd have.

I know everybody does different work and one guy can’t do without a surface grinder and others like me like the idea but don’t have an application. I came to the conclusion I’m still the weak link, not my cheap lathe and mill. I almost wrote it would have to fall in my lap….have to be careful what you wish for.

 

[pontiac428]

Ay bendito! You asking me how to spend your chavos? Mamey, si!!

 

[GT-6 Racer]

As with any machine or tools, it depends on your work needs. I have a 6x18 Harig automatic. I use it quite often. BUT…. Like most machines, it’s not the cost of the machine, it’s the tooling. Hubs and wheels, Spin indexers, punch grinding fixtures, precision vices, magnetic parallels, grinding cube, on and on. Every accessory is quite pricy. Without the accessories you can grind steel flat but not much else . With accessories your imagination and skills are the limit. A grinder is an absolute necessity if working hard steel or high precision parts. So all that being said, a worn out surface grinder is a huge lesson in frustration trying to hit 10ths will be impossible, and worn spindles leave bad surface finishes and spindle rebuilds are really expensive. Hand cranking gets old very fast so a hydraulic is a must if you really plan to do much grinding. Flood coolant is also a must to hold tolerances. If you need a grinder, buy the best condition one you can afford.

If you want to grind HSS lathe tools, find a cheap ko lee tool and cutter grinder. I have an ancient Covel i gave 50$ for and put a Rockford multi angle vice on. Works fantastic, quick and easy setup. Not much good for anything else but sure beats a bench grinder.

If you’ve caught the precision bug, it’s a fun time learning to grind and hold tolerance. Amazing what grinding can add to a shop. But you really have to go into it realizing what you are getting yourself into. Best of luck !