04-11-2012, 04:15 PM
One thing to keep in mind (and this is mentioned in the video) is that these grinders "need work, right out of the box". The tables are difficult to adjust because of the way they bind up, and the supplied "Carbide Grinding Wheels" are basically made of concrete and painted green. 
Of course it can't compete with a Baldor machine, but not everyone can afford a $1000 grinder either. With a little bit of work and a set of decent grinding wheels, they can be a useful tool in a small shop. An aluminum oxide wheel handles HSS tool bits, and the diamond wheel handles touching up brazed carbide tools. The adjustable tables handle the angles. The best of both worlds for someone like me who can't seem to hold a proper angle on anything when trying to grind a tool by hand. It's just not in my DNA I guess....
Something else I forget to mention was that I replaced all the small, narrow flat washers that help hold the tables together. The factory washers barely reach past the slots on the trunnions. A few "fender" washers completely cover the clamping surfaces and give better support & holding power. A cheap "fix" that is worthwhile.
Of course it can't compete with a Baldor machine, but not everyone can afford a $1000 grinder either. With a little bit of work and a set of decent grinding wheels, they can be a useful tool in a small shop. An aluminum oxide wheel handles HSS tool bits, and the diamond wheel handles touching up brazed carbide tools. The adjustable tables handle the angles. The best of both worlds for someone like me who can't seem to hold a proper angle on anything when trying to grind a tool by hand. It's just not in my DNA I guess....
Something else I forget to mention was that I replaced all the small, narrow flat washers that help hold the tables together. The factory washers barely reach past the slots on the trunnions. A few "fender" washers completely cover the clamping surfaces and give better support & holding power. A cheap "fix" that is worthwhile.
Willie