Is a 6" bench grinder sufficient?

[newbie2wood]

Lowes is closing out their Task Force 6" bench grinder for $17. I purchased one but was wondering if I made the correct decision. First, I have no real need for a grinder. I have no chisels or planes to sharpen. Second, I was holding out for an 8" name brand one if I ever have to get one.

So, should keep it just in case I need one in the future or am I wasting my money ($17 is not a lot but still a waste if it is not needed).

Also, are there an advantages to having an 8" over a 6" bench grinder?
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Headshop

[drumpriest]

Well, if you have no need for a grinder, why buy a grinder?

If you suddenly find that you need a grinder for sharpening chisels and plane blades, a 6" grinder isn't the best way to go. First, if you are going to hollow grind chisels and plane blades, the larger the wheel radius, the better. It allows the blades to last longer, and leaves more steel to support the edge once honed, so the edge lasts longer.

Secondly, you will be wanting a slow speed grinder, ideally, so that you don't blue the steel and turn perfectly good chisels into junk.

So I would pass on it.

[newbie2wood]

Thanks for the info.

I guess I brought it because it was cheap. I had no idea of what to look for in grinder when I was shopping in Lowes. I figure I just buy it first and then rethink about whether I should keep it. Look like it going back.
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SaLoMmE live

[ryan.s]

I would keep it for 17 bucks. There's been a many a times where the 6 inch grinder came in handy for grinding bolts and other misc stuff. I would keep it to throw all your metal related stuff and save the new 8 inch grinder for WW stuff.

[TheRic]

I vote keep it. Your find that it can be used for many thing other than sharpening chisels. If it sits around never being used then you didn't need the 8" inch one either which would be a lot more money sitting idle. Once find that you really NEED an 8" grinder then sell this one for say $20 and put that money toward the new larger one.

[drumpriest]

These guys have a point, if you can envision using it for something else, it may be worth keeping for the 17$. If you really get into hand tool sharpening, you'll want something like the tormek or jet sharpener anyway. (or HF knock-off?)

[Hoover]

Another point to keeping it, you can always add buffing pads to either one side or both, makes for a good buffer. Besides $17.00, you can blow that @ McDonalds easily on one meal with the family.

[LinuxRandal]

For the money, I'd put a wire wheel on one side. Great for cleaning up threads.

While you will want a slow speed for chisels and such, you might also consider leaving one wheel on, for dressing screwdrivers and such.

[LCHIEN]

for 17 bucks I'd keep it and not worry about an 8" one.
I use one every few months and they're not for fine sharpening jobs but they are for grinding steel items, reducing screws, and the like when you need one its a whole lot less work than a file!

[messmaker]

I went without one for a long time but now could not live wthout one. I think the wire wheel is the way to go.

[bmyers]

I have both a 6" cheapo and a Woodcraft 8" low speed. Both are really useful for their own purposes.

The 8" low speed is on sale now at Woodcraft. I think it even comes with white (alum oxide?) wheels. These wheels are for my lathe chisels, plane blade and the like which are good steel, not carbon steel.

The 6" is what I use to rough grind carbon steel to shape, sharpen the lawn mower blade, rough shape a new chisel, that kind of thing. NOT what you want to be putting on your "good" wheels.

So yeah. Keep it, you'll use it. The other one is one sale too though..

Bill