Unless you spend loads all seem to suffer from poor tool rests. I replaced mine recently with a £30/35 ish 8" job from Screwfix. One day I will make new tool rests for it. It needed work and decent wheel flanges making to get the wheels running true, but for the money does the job.

.

In an economy where £30/35 is the going rate for an 8" Grinder …

Yes: Very probably too much to ask for.

MichaelG.

I would plan for making your own tool rests and leave them off the must have list, I would also allow for replacement stones if you intend to use it for off hand tool grinding. A diamond dresser is another useful accessory as even a new wheel on a true hub will need truing.

Mike

Used a cheap Whitcote 6" grinder for many years. Typical of the not so bad imports. Adequately smooth, just about OK grey coarse and fine wheels and, like Colins Hilka, less than stellar grinding rests that weren't quite bad enough to absolutely have to be replaced. Almost but not quite. There being more work than it appears at first sight in going from back of envelope sketches to something properly engineered that really will work. When I got a bit more serious about things I sidestepped the whole issue with proper cup wheel and adjustable angle table on the side. One of these :-

cheap from Axminster worked pretty well once I'd swopped the nuts on the adjusters for Bristol handles.

Couple or three years back a Cruesen came along at a price that didn't strain the budget too far. Evidence of careless use included a grinding wheel that pretty much re-defined undressed and a missing grinding rest on the left hand side. So I had to do something.

Found some 12 mm and 8 mm steel plate to weld up an opposite hand copy of the one on t'other side up from. Came out pretty well :-

Took some pictures of the making thinking I might do an article for Neil but illness and family issues got in the way. If it might be of interest I could have a a go at a write up now I have time again. Need to draw up the mount rail on the grinder tho'. If someone did want one its lots easier to modify dimensions on an existing drawing than to engineer from scratch.

Can easily send a PDF copy if required. Just PM me your E-Mail.

Clive

Edited By Clive Foster on 15/01/2018 19:07:17

Edited By Clive Foster on 15/01/2018 19:08:19

I bought a Cruesen grinder and the wheel fittings are Fairly steady but I reinforced the tool rest with gauge plate pieces and I have a great unit now.

David

Edited By David George 1 on 15/01/2018 20:55:20

Before seeing Brian's post I was contemplating the Titan TTB521GRB from Screwfix £35 have to admit it was the 400 what motor that caught my attention any one got one and care to comment ?

H