Baldor 522 Bench Grinder For Sharpening Lathe Tools

An older single phase Prosser grinder with the same setup recently sold for $116 on Ebay from a local merchant. I have a real old 2 HP 3 phase grinder with new green wheels and a massive pedestal that was $50. Although the 3 phase means I have to plug it in to my VFD, it is the smoothest grinder I have ever used and the quietest. I would save the big bucks for your next lathe, milling machine or surface grinder, unless money is no issue.

Hi David,

Congratulations on a sweet lathe!

As you note, most (all?) of the Delta grinders are PRC sourced.

U.S. Baldor grinders are very nice, although pricey.

If Taiwan if OK in your book, the 8 inch Jet has been very satisfactory, although you will need to mount new tool rests, the provided ones are not adjustable. I've had a Jet 8 incher for around 6 years now, no complaints. Smooth and powerful.

Cheers, Stan

Have you looked at the Harbor Freight version of this grinder?

Thanks for your suggestions. They are greatly appreciated. I will see what Ebay turns up on some searches.

Forgive my naivete, but, would the carbide grinder work out ok for HSS?

Another one, if I bought a less expensive grinder are better tool tables available for angle adjustments and so forth? Are there any kind of standards for these at all or is it a matter of try it and make it work? OR, hey, I gotta lathe now I could make some couldn't I!?!

I have to get into the make it before I buy it mode now...what a great concept eh?

Thanks, David

Recently I made an attachment for my bench grinder so I could accurately grind a bit for acme threads, but I have been grinding hss tool bits for turing and facing with no guide for a long time.

Do a search on Google Groups on drill sharpening and see how many people reccomend free hand sharpening of drills. Lathe bits are a piece of cake in comparison.

My recommendation is to get a regular bench grinder and forget about a tool table for a couple of years.

Dan