Canadian Woodworking Magazine eNewsletter

The bench top grinder is a shop staple. When you need to re-grind a nicked or broken edge on a chisel or plane iron, a grinder will do the job considerably faster than a benchstone. However, grinders can be somewhat intimidating - they can make a lot of noise, give off a lot of sparks, and an 8" wheel turning at 3,400 RPM can quickly turn a favourite chisel blue.

There are three major features to look for when selecting a grinder: wheel speed, wheel size, and tool rest.

The new variable speed 8" grinder from Steel City Tool Works does a pretty good job of addressing these three features. A lot of grinders have a wheel speed of around 3,400 RPM. For wood turners this isn't an issue. However, for those of us using a grinder on chisels and plane blades it's way too fast. One of the main advantages of Steel City grinder is its variable speed feature. A turn of the knob reduces the speed in half - from 3,450 RPM to 1,725 RPM. This makes it much easier to control the tool you are grinding, and it reduces the build-up of heat in the tool.

Grinders come in 6", 8"and 10" wheel sizes. 8" diameter wheels, as on the Steel City model, produce the right amount of hollow on chisel and plane blades, leaving a thick enough edge so that you don't have to re-sharpen as often.

The vitrified aluminum oxide wheels that come with this grinder cut fairly quickly and they don't glaze up as quickly as other wheels I've used. Like all grinding wheels, they should be dressed after mounting them on the grinder to eliminate any eccentricity and reduce vibration as the wheels spin. Steel City provides a wheel dresser that you can use for this purpose. Holding it against the edge of the wheel as it spins quickly trues up the wheel, and once the wheels have been used, restores a square face. The thoughtful folks at Steel City have stored the dresser (and the wrench) at the back of the grinder for easy access. Another nice touch is that there is a single knob to remove the wheel covers, rather than three or four screws common to other grinders.

The articulating two tool rests measure 1 7/8" x 4 1/4". There is a single knob for adjusting the angle of the tool rest, and a bolt for fixing the distance of the rest to the wheel. For chisels and small plane blades the tool rests will do the job; however, for large chisels and plane blades, and for turning tools, a larger tool rest would be much more practical. There isn't much space on the tool rest for mounting a fence. Fortunately you can purchase an excellent after market tool rest for around $50.

If the lighting is less than ideal in your shop you'll love the adjustable light on the Steel City grinder. It allows you to focus the light exactly where you need it.

Grinders have a fairly small footprint in relation to the width of the unit (the Steel City grinder is 19" wide). Motor vibration and pressure against the grinding wheel can cause the grinder to move. Its a good idea to bolt the grinder to a workbench, or to a piece of ply, which you can clamp to the workbench. There are two holes in the base of the Steel City grinder expressly for this purpose.

The spark deflector is an important safety feature to have - and use. Unfortunately they are often removed from grinders because of their tendency to flop around when the grinder is turned on. Excessive tightening ends up cracking the plastic, and the deflectors fall off. The deflectors on the Steel City grinder are sturdily made, and stay in place when tightened. And, when you move them up out of the way they stay put.

This is a reasonably quiet grinder, with a db level of 79.0 at 1,725 RPM and 88.3 at 3,450 RPM.

If you're looking for a grinder that offers an excellent set of features at a competitive price, check out the Steel City Tool Works Variable Speed Grinder.

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Specifications:

Variable Speed Grinder (15420)
$165.00
Steel City Tool Works
To find a source near you click here

3/4 HP1,725 - 3450 RPM
8" x 1" wheel diameter
5/8" shaft diameter
1 7/8" x 4 1/4" tool rests
47 lbs
5 year warranty

Includes: 120 and 60 grit aluminum oxide wheels, adjustable work light, cooling tray, articulating tool rests, spark deflectors, wheel guards, wheel dresser, wrench

Grinding Tips:

Secure the grinder to your work table to reduce vibration.
Wear eye protection - even though the spark deflectors are in place.
Don't grind on the side of the wheel - the wheel may shatter.
Grinders generate a lot of sparks - don't grind near flammable material.
Dress the wheels on a regular basis - it will ensure that he face of the wheel is straight, resulting in a more uniform grind.
Don't apply undue pressure - let the wheel do the work.
Quench the tool in water regularly - you don't want the tool to overheat.