Bench Grinder

popsrcrMember

Alright guys, we all like tools, but.
I was given a bench grinder years ago. Harbor Freight special. I now have a use for it and went to get a wire wheel and buffer disk for it so I could clean some bolts. Well, turns out it takes 5" stuff that no one has. I bought a 4" wire wheel, but it doesn't fit so good.
So, should I just go get one? Is there any benefit to the 8" over the 6"? Do I really need one or can I make do with a wirewheel on a drill?

Thoughts?

Tired of spending money in VA.

1/30/075:12 PM

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deanMember

the 8" probably have a stronger motor over the 6". i have the 6" from harbor freight and it's a pile of crap. any pressure on the wheel and it slow down or stop all together.

1/30/076:31 PM

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nazgulMember

anything from harbor freight is a pile of crap, i know because i was stupid enough to waste some money with them. i don't care what anyone says, american built tools are the best, sure they cost more but they last and last.

1/30/077:29 PM

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popsrcrMember

As with anything, I think it depends on your intended use. I have a bunch of HF air tools and so far so good, but I don't use them that much. Hand tools I care about I buy something I perceive as decent.
At any rate, I guess I still wonder if the drill and wire wheel will work just as well.

1/30/078:25 PM

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Pant5761 (Guest)

For cleaning bolt threads, the bench grinder with a wire wheel is best. The hand drill with a wire wheel will jump all over the place. After a few restorations I must have cleaned hundreds of bolts on the bench grinder. The only regret is that I wish it had more power to keep it from stalling. It is a Craftsman 6", if I did it over I would go with an 8". My 2 cents.

1/31/075:05 AM

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popsrcrMember

Thanks. I guess I'll suck it up. I can put the little one in a garage sale.

1/31/075:55 AM

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skatdawg (Guest)

doesn't Coke a Cola remove rust? i seem to remember a long time ago that the stuff would clean bolts like nobody's business.

one reason i quit drinking the stuff....

1/31/077:19 AM

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pappyMember

You might consider a "vibrating tumbler" for cleaning small parts and rusty bolts. They work quite well though not as fast as a wire brush on a wheel or drill. I bought mine from Eastwood.com. They have three different models with three different prices. Great for restoration if your not in a big hurry...Pappy

1/31/0711:31 AM

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rapidMember

Here is a picture of my grinder. I bought the stand at Harbor Freight, but bought the Craftsman grinder on sale.I had one of the old Harbor Freight grinders and it was not made very well. Watch for a sale at Sears and buy a nice one.

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2/5/079:36 AM

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popsrcrMember

That's exactly what I've decided to do. Turns out that the model currently sold by Lowes is the same as the sears. Either way, good thought on the HF stand. Since I want to buff a little with it, I decided I was better off waiting for a nicer one.
I'm just going to use my drill for the couple of things I have to do right now.

2/5/0711:08 AM

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