Cheap grinder wheels

[Wagon173]

So I have an order in for a few decent wheels. My neighbor gave me a cheap wheel harbor freight I think to get me by until my order gets here and Its warped about 1/8 inch though, and vibrates terribly. Have any of you ever corrected this? Can you gently dress the outside without it exploding?

 

[edtherom]

In my opinion, you're taking a dangerous chance.

Don't have anything of value in line with the wheel, especially you.

imho ymmv ycmnr

 

[aonemarine]

Does the wheel fit snugly on the shaft? alot of those inexpensive wheels have a bushing in the center to get the wheel to run true.

 

[Wagon173]

Yea it has a poster board bushing that is about 1/16 thick. The craftsman wheel (original) that came off of it had one too though. The new wheel had the plastic still on it but is chicago brand. That's why I'm thinking its from hf. It's definitely tight on the shaft though. I had to wiggle it to get it on there.

 

[de_das_dude]

never buy grinding wheel knock offs, or saw blade knockoffs. these things can shatter and hurt you worse than a shotgun wound.

 

[chipenter]

You can dress out the edge but not the sides if it wobbles check the paper washers , and never fit a wheel without the paper washers , if it still wobbles bin it .

 

[Swifty]

I agree with those that say "bin it", not worth the risk. Wheels that blow up are deadly weapons. Seen a lot of surface grinder wheels blow up after being dropped and the user thought that they were ok, should have checked by "ringing it" to see if it was cracked.

Paul.

 

[chrsbrbnk]

I haven't heard any reason to not dress the sides of the wheel as long as you don't substantially thin it down. It's often done on surface grinders for both side grinding and sometimes to help the balance. Having blown up a wheel earlier this week I've decided guards are a nice idea. Osha now requires an attachment to the upper wheel guard that prevents some of the wheel from coming out the top of the guard. there are bad wheels alll over the place now as very little alumin oxide is made state side and there's some weird inconsistency's to the china made stuff right now a lot comes from mexico that's not to bad I think radiac is fair brand

 

[chipenter]

I was tort that dressing out a wobble would seriously affect the balance , what you took off of one side would be 180 degrees on the other side and vibrate like mad .

 

[chrsbrbnk]

you gotta do both sides

 

[Wagon173]

Yea I canned it quite some time ago. My good ones came in the mail. I've gone and purchased a couple other ones from hf for welding purposes since though and they seem to work okay. Not great, but good enough to grind lots of beads. I think maybe this one just sat too long or was messed up some other way

 

[Tin Falcon]

My jet came with cheap gray wheels they worked OK for a lot of years . I finally upgraded to white Norton wheels. the new blue Norton wheels are supposed to be great but IMHO a bit pricey for hobby use. but like anything else of quality probably only need to by one or on pair of wheel and will last as long as they are needed.
tin

 

[Vern2]

I fought my last grinding wheel. Had several bench models, never had enough power, when I had some serious grinding the wheel would slow down too much. Then the wobble problems would start. Had a belt sander disk sander combo, I'd grind the edge off of fresh cut metal, like having that tool. Running out of space in a one car garage, I dumped the belt sander and bench top grinders. Got a 2" x 72" belt grinder, Wow. I own one belt 3M 32 grit, I can't kill it. What a great tool.

You can see I got serious about grinders. I don't think I'll go back.

Vern

 

[PMac]

be sure to keep the guards on the grinders as well this guy apparently didn't
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/254140/man-killed-freak-grinder-accident

 

[Wagon173]

I could never ditch my grinders. The craftsman could use a little more power and my belt sander just plain sucks. I need to build some supports for it as unless it's laying flat even when you lock it, it wobbles about 5 or 6 degrees. But thanks to you, Vern, I suppose I'll be on the hunt for a new toy
PMac, Yea that's generally a good idea. Mine didn't come with them and I'm too stubborn to make new ones. I wear a full face mask with oakley ballistic rated glasses behind that and I never stand in front of it. I've never seen one pop but I've heard horror stories and would rather be out of th line of fire when it happens.

 

[Vern2]

Wagon173,

I had no idea belt sanders were so efficient grinding metal. Before I realize it I have a pile of iron at my feet. I'm not saying bench grinders don't have a place, but seeing is believing. I even sharpen drill bits.

Belt grinder videos.

[ame="http://youtu.be/l8SkJHadjH0"]My belt grinder being built.[/ame]
[ame="http://youtu.be/BYllaxuzMk0"]Video example 1[/ame]

[ame="http://youtu.be/L8ss_PZDWP0"]DTY belt grinder video 1[/ame]
[ame="http://youtu.be/5ONrJB5sDQk"]DTY belt grinder video 2[/ame]
[ame="http://youtu.be/_mF0WEeHlxw"]DTY belt grinder video 3[/ame]
DTY belt grinder video 4
[ame="http://youtu.be/xMoYFQ2Q4rw"]DTY belt grinder video 5[/ame]

Vern