Bench grinders

[illusion]

Hmm.. I don't have one of the precision extension arm things for my Dremel, and I save all precision stuff for the needle files.

sorry i didnt no illusions name was ben also

No problems... Ben is my actual name, I tend to stick it into my posts when being called 'illusion' by people gets annoying.

Jason: Be very careful holding a drill in a vice - you better make sure it's properly secured, unless you don't have any objections to having damaged limbs.

Usualy you get a smooth wheel and a coarse wheel on bench grinders.

Get the fiberglass cut-off wheels - they are awesome. Some standard ones also since I've found them to be thinner most of the time and will come in handy.

Get a good vice if you don't already have one - It's so darn useful you wouldn't believe. My vice has seen me through the wars and it's essential IMO.

You can make picks using a drill... but unless you are going to do it on the move then I wouldn't bother.

[Jason13]

Nah i do it all in my shed so i dont need anything small or anything.

would you say £30 is a decent bench grinder?

[undeadspacehippie]

Get the fiberglass cut-off wheels - they are awesome. Some standard ones also since I've found them to be thinner most of the time and will come in handy.

I broke down today and splurged. I bought a dremel and an accessory kit (for the cut off wheels and fiberglass wheels alone - they would have cost me as much for a pack of each). The fiberglass wheels are awesome folks - thanks for the post Illusion.

I used it tonight to rough out a couple of picks, then some finer work as well as using needle files and chainsaw files for finishing.

Combo of files, bench grinder and dremel - awesome.

[illusion]

It's really worth just spending a bit more cash, and getting a lot more value, isn't it?

I make picks pretty much the same way undeadspacehippie.

The fiberglass wheels come in really handy for making cut-aways and the like. Everything I've made and posted on this site was made using my Dremel, my set of files, and Wet or Dry sandpaper..

I need to get a chainsaw file, since I put off buying it for long enough.

Good to hear you are happy with your purchase.

[Jason13]

Im getting one out of B&Q im thinking of getting it if its £35 if its £40 ill think about im thinking of getting one in £30


CANT WAIT!!!

[Jason13]

Iv'e looked up B&Q UK and typed in bench grinder and this came up

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/nav.j ... 0199936668

any good?

[undeadspacehippie]

It's really worth just spending a bit more cash, and getting a lot more value, isn't it?

I need to get a chainsaw file, since I put off buying it for long enough.

Good to hear you are happy with your purchase.

I used a dremel a few years back, but was not really into making picks as much as I am now. I made two functional and pretty much finished picks in less than 2/3 the time it takes me to make 1 with just the files and bench grinder. Extremely happy - I can make picks for my dad and my best friend much quicker now - this means they can keep their hands off my gear.

Chainsaw files are amazing, allow for me to get nice rounded edges on the picks. Get two sizes, a thicker 3/8'ths size and the 1/8'ths size (you will see the difference in the two sizes, these dimensions may be way off - but I think that is what they are.).

[SEVEN]

car boot sales best place to start

[Jason13]

Ooook so its your first post welcome!

and no please do not go to car boot sales

#1 you dont know if it even works its like buying electric stuff of Ebay.

Your better of getting it brand new knowing u can get your money back if anything does happen which it wont.

[Shrub]

Well jason has a good point but you can normally suss out if an electric item works or not the problem i would think about is if the wheels are safe?

If they are chipped, cracked or damaged in anyway they will explode when you turn the unit on or if they last when you touch a piece of work on to them.

Make sure you inspect the full wheel first.

[jb68]

i got the wolf power wet and dry bench grinder from screwfix, £39.99 might be a bit more than you wana pay but there is another in there for £12.99. serious point make shure you get eye protection. the ammount of times ive stood there looking in the mirror, eye streeming, trying to get a bit of metal out of it.

[greyman]

My first bench grinder was made out of a discarded ventilation fan motor with a tapped shaft. I bolted on an angle grinder disc and, voila! Worked a treat and cost nothing, although it did tend to get a bit out of wack on the heavy jobs. It was fine for making picks and tensioners

[Jason13]

I just made a Hook pick out of my Bimetal Hacksaw blades and there strong!

£5 for 3 hacksaws but on my next picks i must just split the hacksaw for 2 picks and not 3.

[CaptB]

For a cheap one i`d grab one from wicks or B+Q like everyone else says you get what you pay for.. depends on useage.

I have a small one for sharpening damaged chisels, and I paid £10.00 for it new.. Or try screwfix.. depends what else your ordering mind to make it worth the order./

[Shrub]

Its great making machines from house hold items but on things like a grinder you dont have the benefit of tool rests or guards, for the £0-£20 you can buy the cheap ones for its hardly worth it especially those of you who get £20 pocket money a week