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Just wondering if anyone has ever had this bench grinder and used it for pipe related purposes? Picked it up over xmas, and I do believe I should be able to use it for waxing/buffering purposes. Not 100% on that yet though.

http://hdsupplysolutions.com/shop/produ ... der-145121
Mine is an older model without the lamp.

Also wondering if anyone with this has turned one side into a disc sander? I've seen other DIY's on motors and other grinders turned into a disc sander, but not sure if it would be applicable for this model.

Thanks for any help!

I started off with a benchgrinder converted into a discsander. It is a bit too fast for detailed shaping, but I do still use it for rough shaping, with an 178mm 16 grit disc attached.
Careful of the fingers though!

That'll be a DIY project I'll have to undertake if I feel it necessary then. Otherwise I might just pick up a disc sander.
Any set of instructions you followed when you converted your own? Or did you just have the know-how to do it?

That grinder should be fine for shaping/sharpening turning tools.

Not practical at all for buffing and waxing. You'll need about half the speed, and you'll definately want the longer arbors of a buffer when you're trying to get at the back of the bowl and the top of the shank/bowl joint...

While that is not something I wanted to hear, I definitely appreciate your experience on that. I was hoping I could get away with using one "motor" to do all the things I need. Sounds like that was just a dream. At least for this inexpensive one.

PS- Those suede blasted pipes of yours look pretty snazzy.

If you want to get away with 1 motor for buffing and sanding then go for something in the 1500rpm range.

I'm seriously considering a variable speed car polisher for my next setup, it's basically and angle grinder so all the pads etc are easy to find.



David.

Don't they make a hell off a noise though, David? Or are these more quiet than normal angle grinders?

DMI wrote:I'm seriously considering a variable speed car polisher for my next setup, it's basically and angle grinder so all the pads etc are easy to find.



David.

Go with a cheap drill press, that's what I use. Plenty of power, easy speed change when you need it and the chuck means you can attach all manner of accessories.

caskwith wrote:Go with a cheap drill press, that's what I use. Plenty of power, easy speed change when you need it and the chuck means you can attach all manner of accessories.

You can use a drill press for buffing? That's a brilliant idea that I wouldn't have ever come accross.

Yip! I got one after listening to Chris. Got it from a guy for a bottle of Jack. I suppose it won't last forever, because of lying flat, but you get a decent motor and pulleys for cheap, as well as a Jacobs chuck.

I took mine, laid it flat and took out all the uneccessary bits, column, feed handle,spring etc. I also locked the spind in place and bolted the whole thing to the bench. This system has been running now for about 3 years with use several days a week and for long periods of time. I use it for all my sanding discs for shaping. No doubt it would also make a good buffer as well but this may be harder on the bearings. Anyway what I can say is that the value for money was excellent!

I use drill press parts for almost everything. The slack sander was made from a drill press, the buffing and shaping motor was from a previous drill press. Those motors are awesome. The perfect speed.

And you can get hold of it for cheap!