Axminster Hobby Grinder For Sharpening Turning Tools?

[BearTricks]

Hi,

I was planning on buying Screwfix's cheapest grinder for my tools and modifying it to run in the opposite direction, but since I have never sharpened on anything but an oilstone before (and not very well) I thought I should probably get something with a wider wheel that might be a bit more forgiving. It's for weekend and evening work, for now.

Does anyone have any experience with the Axminster Hobby Grinder or can you recommend an alternative? I wanted something cheap and cheerful, but paranoia got to me and I decided to extend my budget. Ideally I wouldn't want to go any higher than £55. I already made the significant jump to a Record CL3 from the benchtop hobby lathe I was originally eyeing up and with the extra gouges, chuck, Rowley book, respirator and face protection and whatever I end up spending on my girlfriend to make her feel less annoyed about spending so much on myself I'll probably be saying goodbye to next month's pay cheque.

 

[CHJ]

Forget about modifying to run in different directions, totally unnecessary for turning tools, only any real advantage for honing carving tools etc.

And as you are a grinder novice would put you well into the accident waiting to happen ball park messing about changing grinding wheels around to re-configure the guards.

There are only three things required of the grinder.

• 1. The motor needs enough power to drive the wheels when grinding, so don't buy the smallest motor available.
  2. The motor needs to run true and without vibration, the wheels need to be dressed and balance to maintain the smooth balanced running. If having done the latter after receipt it still won't run without vibration it's a faulty package for whatever reason. (can usually be fixed but not a beginners task)
  3. You need a White Oxide wheel in the 80-100 grit range as a basic minimum, 40mm wide version being easier to use for bowl gouge profiling, more exotic red and blue wheels can come at later date if sharpening becomes a major percentage of shed time.

This is where I started in 2005 with a cheap axminster grinder and it's the one still in use today with the same wheels, albeit with slightly different jigs.

 

[Bigbud78]

What is a good power to look for ? I'm also looking at getting one for old chisels and drill sharpening.

 

[Roughcut]

Another one maybe worth considering:
http://www.rutlands.co.uk/sp+woodworkin ... der+dk2750