Bench Grinder without bench

[zhouluyi]

Hi all,
I'm on my second try at lockpicking. The first time I tried it some 4-5 years ago, I made a diamond pick and a tension wrench with hacksaw blades and a grinder attached to a drill. No need to say that it sucked. I can use it to pick some locks but its just not satisfactory.

Now I will try to get really into lockpicking, I already studied a lot, and I will buy a bench grinder to make my first set. The problem is that I don't have a bench.

I planned to make a plywood base for the grinder, and put that on top of a table or even on the ground. I just don't know how safety is that, and if it will stand quietly without "running" away from me.

Any ideas on how to use a bench grinder without a bench.

Luiz Borges

[UWSDWF]

that should be fine assuming the table is sturdy and you clamp the base to said table

[RangerF150]

Well for what it's worth !
I don't have a "bench" and I have a bench grinder
I have a fold up one, but it was out on a job last time I used the grinder.
It sat on the concrete floor in my shed, it's not ideal but hey.

Just be careful where the sparks fly and don't get in their way !!!

We're "hackers" we get the job done, don't matter what were up against
Have fun dude !

[linty]

i think safety should always be a priority when using tools. You should have something stable to bolt your grinder to.

I've seen too many people getting hurt badly when they should have known better.

[zhouluyi]

UWSDWF, my first idea was that, clamp the base to the table, but since my use of the grinder will be close to none (just make the tools and forget about it), I thought about just bolting it to a plywood base, put it on the floor and have fun!

I'm also a member of a woodworking forum, and I had worked with wood before, and the accidents that may happen are just nasty, so safety is a first to me. I know too many people that lost just a bit of flesh in a grinder...

Guess I will have to buy it and try it out, if I don't feel safe I will look for another solution.

Luiz Borges

[UWSDWF]

the only thing I could think of is that on the floor might not make it optimal for you to use the grinder... the grinders I use are always mounted a little taller then waist height for best results... where as kneeling to the maching might be awkward

[Kaotik]

I concur with UWSDWF, It would be more comfortable and give better results if you were standing in front of it.

As far as the grinder being bolted to a wood platform, it will not get away from you.

It's your choice to be on the floor hunched over to do the grinding. Hey! it will be your pain in the back back, not mine.

[Trip Doctor]

and if it will stand quietly without "running" away from me.

Or running after you.

[Legion303]

Mine's sitting on top of a TV. :P

Wherever you put it, remember not to wear loose clothing or jewelry/accessories while using it, keep long hair tied back or in a hat, wear goggles, don't drink and grind, don't let sparks fly toward your gas furnace, etc.

-steve

[Biaxial Ranger]

I got one of my big ones mounted to the top of a metal pole w/plate attached at top and concrete filled car wheel for the base. It sits about mid to upper chest height and is quite stable even with large jobs.

[Gordon Airporte]

This is the sort of thing I don't think could suffer too much from Harbor Freight's sometimes questionable quality - $23 universal grinder stand:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... umber=3184

Remember that grinders make a mess.

[zhouluyi]

Gordon Airporte, the biggest problem with that stand is that the work area is reduced to none. And one of things that I read in many places about making picks is: "dump in water often, so I don't get too hot".

That's way I want to put it on a table, or on the ground.

Today I was busy working all day, tomorrow I have the day off so I will probably buy my grinder and try to do some picks, I will experiment with it, and let you know what I came up with.

Luiz Borges

PS: I don't know if i'm too weak, if my pliers sucks, or if the wiper blade I got is too strong, but that stuff is really hard to cut... Tomorrow I will also drop by some cheap "made in china" stuff store (do you have those?) to buy a cheap pair of cut pliers...

[Kaotik]

PS: I don't know if i'm too weak, if my pliers sucks, or if the wiper blade I got is too strong, but that stuff is really hard to cut... Tomorrow I will also drop by some cheap "made in china" stuff store (do you have those?) to buy a cheap pair of cut pliers...

Cheap pliers or wire cutters, may not do the trick if you have tried them both. Even if you did manage to cut them, you would still have grind or file the edges flat (square them off).

I would go with a cutt-off wheel on a die grinder or a slitting/cutting disk on a Dremel.

Just my 2c.

[freakparade3]

PS: I don't know if i'm too weak, if my pliers sucks, or if the wiper blade I got is too strong, but that stuff is really hard to cut... Tomorrow I will also drop by some cheap "made in china" stuff store (do you have those?) to buy a cheap pair of cut pliers...

You get what you pay for. If you but chear pliers you will have a hard time cutting wiper blade inserts. Buy a good set of lineman pliers. they will last a lifetime and save you alot of headaches.

[zhouluyi]

freakparade3, I know that I get what I pay for, but since I intend to finish the cut in the grinder I just want something to help me cut it...

I have a a good Universal Plier, I just don't wanna use it to cut hard stuff that may damage it...

Luiz Borges

PS: I know that in part I'm just making an excuse so I don't have to expend money on a good cut plier...