The suggested machine seems a bit OTT for HSS tool grinding. The wheel is also probably too fine a grit. I use a small grinder my father bought about 50 years ago. I think the (original) wheel is around 46 grit. I have a second grinder with a much finer wheel, but that rarely gets used unless I want to take off small amounts to get a precise width with a good finish.

I don't bother with 'fancy' rests. For all normal tooling I judge the angles and shapes by eye; none of them are critical. If I need an accurate shape or angle I'll CNC mill the HSS. Alternatively for specific angles I have a cheap universal vice that I can use on the Clarkson; although I've never needed to use it thus far.

I use a medium diamond hone to give edges a quick lick, but I don't waste time getting a super smooth edge; it simply isn't needed. There is a saying that the shape of the tool is reproduced in the work. The reality is more complicated than that, and in many cases it simply isn't true.

Andrew

I've made the H.H. grinding rest and accessories and find it great for sharpening drills, milling cutters, slitting saws and screw cutting tools. However for most lathe turning tools I find it quicker to grind freehand.

Russell.

The question should be is this one any good as it seems to be even cheaper than the cheapest on ebay. I might get one for use as a buffer as it is so cheap, or do people think it will burn out in five minutes at that price?
The one you linked is used wet which is specifically designed for old carbon steel wood tools where you mustn't risk getting them hot let alone red hot and lose the temper.

Matthew, I would say that that grinder is not the one for grinding HSS tools if we are talking lathe tools and drills etc. Also we tend to use the grinder for shaping metal on occasions. We normally grind HSS dry and if you use the proposed wheels dry you will wear them out quite quickly. Stick to the type Bazyle suggests.
BobH

Cabinet making tools typically are quite thin and need a long straight edge to do their job. For example, a smoothing plane needs a straight edge ground at 25 deg over 2 1/2" width. Therefore, they are quite sensitive to overheating. Before the days of these slow speed grinders it was quite tricky to get a full width grind without burning at least one of the corners; and you needed to keep your sharpening stones quite flat (I kept separate stones for planes and narrow tools, scrapers were sharpened on the side of the stone.)

I cant think of a metal working application that needs this, but with the right attachment, your kitchen knives will be superb.