Craftsman Model 211260 6" Bench Grinder with Wolverine Grinding Jig

A good quality grinder and jig for tool sharpening.

Craftsman Model 211260 6" Bench Grinder

Craftsman Model 211260 6" Bench Grinder

A 6" bench grinder, outfitted with OneWay Wolverine Precision Balancing System, OneWay Wolverine grinding jigs, 60 grit pink aluminum oxide wheel for heavy sharpening and 80 grit blue aluminum oxide for high speed steel (HSS).

Main Specifications

Review

A well built grinder that has given me great service for more than 9 years. Never had any problems. I replaced the original grinding wheels with aluminum oxide wheels and added the OneWay Wolverine Precision Balancing System. The balancing wheels do a good job of minimizing vibrations from the wheels.

I have mounted the Wolverine Grinding Jig to the grinder, and use it with Vari Grind (model I) and the Skew Jig. Very satisfied with the Wolverine system. There are other similar systems out there. I don't think one is better than the other. What is important is that you learn to use what you have. Oneway Manufacturing have good instructional videos you can check out at their website.

If you are into wood turning and wonder if you should get a bench grinder or a wet grinder - my recommendation is to get both. Bench grinder for regrinding and quick touch up. Wet grinder for your finishing tools and for tools where you want to maintain their special grinds. Sharpening on a wet sharpener is slower, but you have more control - especially when complex grinds are involved. Either grinder type requires practice for good results, there are no shortcuts to sharp tools.

Over the time I have bought many turning tools. Many of these were with a basic/simple grind - like scrapers - that I bought at a sale/clearance. Then I reground these using the bench grinder to get the shape I wanted. Sometimes money can be saved as some grinds are out of fashion and don't sell (even if the tools are well known, high quality brands), and the store have to clear their inventory.

At the base of the grinder I have mounted a Veritas Scraper Burnisher and a sector of a 80 grit sanding disc - I grind the scraper on the grinder, then remove the burr by "polishing" the top of the scraper on the sanding disc. Then I use the burnisher to get the hook I want.

When I upgrade to an 8" grinder, my first choice will be the Grizzly Model G0596 8x1" Industrial Bench Grinder. It is not cheap, but it has all the safety- and practical features I want to see in a bench grinder - magnet switch, dedicated dust port you can hook up to a dust collector - and well made eye shields with built-in lamp. Grinding produces a lot of nasty dust, and a dedicated dust collector will help in keeping the shop cleaner. Notice that the grinder should NOT be hooked up to the regular dust collection system as grinding produces sparks that can ignite wood dust. You need a dust collector approved for metal grinding. An ash vacuum cleaner attachment for your shop vac should also work - as long as it is made to handle hot ashes.

Safety Warning!

Before you start up your grinder, it is a good idea to take a quick look at the wheels that they look OK and are not chipped. And when you start up the grinder, step aside (so you are not in the path of the wheels if they should explode) and wait at least one minute after the grinder has come to a full speed. Never grind a wheel to its core! I have been at the scene of an accident where a man's leg was snapped off because a grinding wheel exploded. It is an incredible amount of energy stored in the wheel when it is spinning at high speed!

And make sure you use an eye shield or safety glasses - it is very easy to damage your eyes when grinding!