Should I get a surface grinder?

[wachuko]

@GT-6 Racer - that is the information that I needed. Thank you!

Will hold off on getting one for now.

 

[pontiac428]

Truthfully, mi broki, that particular B&S is about 30 or 40 years too old. The wear under the table and on the spindle could be a real liability. There are more recent machines out there that, after inspection, could do nicely and still at a fair price. Because grinders live in an abrasive environment of stone and metal dust, they can be clapped out worse than chipmaking tools in a lot of cases.

 

[GT-6 Racer]

Certainly, glad to help. If you want to get infected with the precision bug. Watch Robin Renzetti on YouTube.

 

[C-Bag]

Truthfully, mi broki, that particular B&S is about 30 or 40 years too old. The wear under the table and on the spindle could be a real liability. There are more recent machines out there that, after inspection, could do nicely and still at a fair price. Because grinders live in an abrasive environment of stone and metal dust, they can be clapped out worse than chipmaking tools in a lot of cases.

Good eye, I think that is like Bob Korves(RIP) had. Besides the semi insane belt drive of table motion it has a super precise spindle bearing that somehow Bob got going. I don’t remember the details but if I remember right he got it cheap because nobody wanted to mess with it or couldn’t get it right. That one put the fear in me.

 

[Chip Hacket]

Good eye, I think that is like Bob Korves(RIP) had. Besides the semi insane belt drive of table motion it has a super precise spindle bearing that somehow Bob got going. I don’t remember the details but if I remember right he got it cheap because nobody wanted to mess with it or couldn’t get it right. That one put the fear in me.

Yea, I miss Bob. Knowledgeable man!

 

[Winegrower]

Actually I have that exact surface grinder, and TODAY used it for the second real time in about 4 years. It's a good unit, old as it is, and works well. Both times I was grinding a hardened part with really no other way to do it. It's a hobby, so I value simply having the capability as much as using it lots.

 

[projectnut]

While the age of the machine may have some influence on the wear it doesn't necessarily mean it's in poor shape. I looked around for years trying to find a machine that was both in good condition and had a footprint small enough for my shop. I came across dozens of worn-out hulks, or machines that were so large they wouldn't even fit through the door.

Automatic and semi auto machines are nice, but they take up a huge amount of floor space. You have to take into consideration how much you intend to use the machine, and how much floor space you're willing to dedicate.

I ended up with a Sanford 6 x 12 MG. It's a totally manual machine that was built in 1954. I was able to inspect it and use it prior to making the purchase. As part of the inspection, I removed the table and inspected the ways, ball screws, and nuts. Everything was in pristine condition. As it turned out the shop had purchased it about 12 years earlier and sent it out to be rebuilt before putting it in the shop.

The machine was primarily used to grind spacers for the lower ends of Mercury inboard/outboard engines. It wasn't used on a daily basis but more like half a dozen times a month. The owner wanted to retire and the only way the company would stop sending him work was if he didn't have the machinery to do it.

The asking price was $600.00 and the seller was firm. After the inspection I thought it was well worth the asking price and made the purchase.

I use the machine much like the person I purchased it from. It doesn't get daily use but is used a few times a month. Over the years I've used it to make angle blocks, sharpen end mills, sharpen uniflute countersinks, grind spacers for the horizontal mill, make parallels, modify milling tools, and countless other things.

Like all other machines it does require care and feeding. Over the years I've purchased a couple dozen different style, grit, and hardness wheels, a few hubs, diamond and CBN wheels, wheel dressers, vises, sharpening fixtures for end mills and countersinks, among other things.

If you can foresee making or modifying tooling or performing any of the other procedures outlined by myself or others, AND the price is right it might not be a bad investment. It's getting harder to find quality machines in good condition, and the prices don't seem to be going down. I wouldn't break the bank to make the purchase.

Attached are a couple pictures taken in 2014 shortly after I set it up in the shop. It's one of the few machines that hasn't been moved and is still in the same condition.

 

[wachuko]

Actually I have that exact surface grinder, and TODAY used it for the second real time in about 4 years. It's a good unit, old as it is, and works well. Both times I was grinding a hardened part with really no other way to do it. It's a hobby, so I value simply having the capability as much as using it lots.

Is it s 3-Phase machine?

EDIT: Exchanged messages with the seller. It is a 3-phase machine.

Asking price is 800.00. Located around 80 miles away...

 

[MrWhoopee]

I just recently acquired a Harig 612 hand-feed. I've been looking for one for a couple of years now, waiting for the right price and distance. This one came in at $400 and 40 miles, perfect. The flat way shows some wear (flaking partially erased) at the ends, but otherwise they are in very good shape. The lube system was not working, had to get a new pump. It now occupies the space where my radial arm saw used to live.
I've been doing a fair amount of milling at the limits of the capabilites (precision, flatness and finish) of a BP type mill. The grinder has shown me just how imperfect that work has been. I've been acquiring the accessories, grinding vise, magnetic parallels, v-block, wheel dressers etc. They haven't been that expensive.

For the work I'm doing, a SG has been a valuable acquisition, and not nearly as expensive to tool as a mill.

 

[B2]

I ended up with a Sanford 6 x 12 MG. It's a totally manual machine that was built in 1954. I

Nice! Nice size too. Wish I had one, but ... probably of limited use. If I did have one I would remake my Mill Gibs ... They did not fit properly when new. I would probably make them from soft steel.