Features

• One year warranty/30-day performance certification
• 3.7 amp motor for efficient polishing action
• Electronic variable speed
• Random, swirl-free polishing action for a fine finish
• 100% ball bearing construction for durability

Reviews (12)

Excellent tool and time saver
I use this polisher on my trucks and my boat and find it to be an excellent tool for compounding and waxing. Its use probably cuts in half the amount of time necessary to wax a vehicle - perhaps more. On vehicles I use it only to apply the polish removing the glaze by hand. However on the boat I use it for application and polishing. Several reviewers have noted that it is light weight so perhaps it is my age (60+) showing but I find it the polisher gets fairly heavy after a few hours of compounding a boat. I would also recommend wearing a decent pair of leather gloves when operating the polisher otherwise you can probably expect a large blister on the hand hold the side handle.For what its worth I use the orange hook and loop pads from Griot's Garage. I find the quality of the tool itself to be excellent and fully expect it to last for many, many years.

Excellent tool for DIY detailers
This is the tool of choice for many professional and most DIY detailers.

As many reviewers have stated the hook and loop (velcro) pad makes using this tool MUCH easier.To do a proper job on you car, plane or boat you will need to use at least two different types of pads.Thus the ability to simply rip off a pad and stick on a the next one is a HUGE time saver.

As mentioned it is a bit louder than you would expect so you may want to consider hearing protection if you are going to be using it for long periods of time.

Pad selection will depend on the job you need to do.Choosing the right pads for the job can be determined by visiting www.properautocare.comthey will teach you how to use the polisher and the correct pads as well as the correct wax/polishing products for you needs.

Establishing and understanding your needs and then buying the correct pads and polish/wax is required to deliver the best results.

Your end result is completly dependent on how well you do the basics.The Porter Cable is just a tool that makes the job MUCH easier...and in a lot of cases does things that you could never accomplish by hand...however it's not a miracle worker on its own.

This is a solidly built tool for professionals and I recommend it highly.Don't waste your time with those cheapie versions...buy this and you will never regret it.

Best Wax Applicator ever
I use it to wax my 45' Boat and three cars. So good, I bought two!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Porter-Cable    2. (Portercable)    3. Polishers & Buffers   

Features

• Replaces worn pad to return polisher to peak performance
• Sponge rubber applicator
• Mounts easily using built-in mounting post
• Fits Porter-Cable 7424 Polisher

Reviews (3)

This is the best head for the porter cable Orbiter
Hi All I Just revied the portercable Orbirter, gave it 5 stars! thispolishing head made for it by Porter Cable is the only one you want! Other Co. offer a velcro screw on head with Velcro polishing pads. we have found that the velcro doesnt last and hold!( my friend had problems with (the velcro) from only useing it for the second time in a two day period) as a result the pads went flying off the head. this is a fast way to damage your paint if the head with out a pad touches your car! buy plenty of them, (part # 54745) ... this will make your car/truck polishing job ten times easer with results that are un real! A SUPER SAFE SHINE!

Dependable Polishing Pad
I've not had any of the problems experienced by the earlier reviewer. I've used the original pad 2-3 times a year on two cars without problem. I moisten, but don't wash. Used now for 3 years.Leaves a nice finish and almost effortless to use.

Just [Stuff]
This was the worst product I've used, the glue that bonds the pad to the Black Plastic part disintegrated after first use. and what is left of the glue does not hold the pad, so it fell apart during operation. the problems is I use it once every 6 months, so can't return it to Amazon. I would recommend using Orange Foam Polishing Pad from Griots Garage. this is washer prove and you should be able to wash the pad, because the wax/polish has different chemical compound.

[URL] ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Porter-Cable    2. (Portercable)    3. Polishing Pads    4. Bonnets   

Features

• 115/230v
• Built rugged for demanding work loads
• 3/4 inch hp3600 RPM buffer offers the ultimate in buffer flexibility
• Excellent for polishing and buffing metal, aluminum, brass, and copper
• Single phase

Reviews (1)

Baldor Buffers
Baldor Buffers are the ultimate tool for buffing and polishing. These buffers are offered with a variety of horsepowed motors and varying RPMs for whatever you are working with. These machines are the industrial leader. Ask anybody. I'm using a Baldor 333B to polish and buff motorcycle parts during restoration projects and expect this machine will outlast me and my children.The price that this buffer was offered for was less than half of what I paid for the polish work on my last restoration.It's such a great deal on such a great buffer that I'm ordering a second Baldor for a friend.If you want to achieve professional results and save money, you need this machine. Thanks to Amazon, Cassbeth and Baldor for providingsuch a great deal. Larry Biagi Restorations ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Polishers & Buffers   

Features

• 6" diameter
• Polishes and buffs a variety of surfaces
• Installs easily on standard random orbit sanders

Reviews (2)

For smaller size surfaces, this is fine
I had a body shop for 20 years. Did a lot of high end cars, and spent a lot of time behind a polisher. Now I am doing woodwork and need to get the same kind of results. The problem is that with woodwork, most of the time, you are working on smaller, intricate surfaces, as compared to the big flat panels on a car. Consquently a 2400 RMP polisher is not what the doctor ordered. Unfortunately 2400 RPMs is where mile deep gloss arrives. So what to do. I just ordered the Milwaukee variable speed 11 amp polisher. The speed range is 0-2800 with a pre set dial for fixing a setting, so I can slow it down for the delicate areas, and still maintain the option of cranking it up for the larger flat surfaces. I also purchased the hook and loop backing pad. That is where this Porter Cable wool pad comes in. It is difficult to tell just how much nap their is on a pad when ordering from a picture online. My old favorite is a super plush 7 inch tie on lambswool bonnet. By the time you wrap it around a backing pad, it makes for a larger edge than you would normally need for the intracacies of wood projects. That is where these Porter Cable hook and loop pads come in. The texture is very fine and smooth. Very thick and dense as well. The nap is only about 1/2" deep. That makes it very manageable for tight spaces. It is good for getting a lot of control when working up close to an ajoining surface. Using this pad on a random orbit sander is ok for a gentle rubbing effect. If you are planning on building a solid layer of finish, and polishing it to a deep gloss that is glasslike by using compounds, you will need a regular polisher. The nice thing about these Porter Cable polishing pads, is that they work with either type of machine, as long as they have a hook and loop backing pad.
All in all these Porter Cable pads, with their tight yet silky smooth nap, fill a niche for polishing that is very helpful. Hope this helps.

Another piece of [stuff] from Porter-Cable
Porter-Cable makes bad accesories for their polisher, i washed the pad the the adhesive turned hard, theis makes polishing grinding. "The fine lambs wool polishes without harming the surface finish." what a load..... how can you wash the old wax off. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Porter-Cable    2. (Portercable)    3. Polishing Pads    4. Bonnets   

Features

• Wrap-around auxiliary handle for easy handling
• 10-amp concrete surfacing grinder, perfect for smoothing floor pavement, removing graffiti, cleaning concrete surfaces
• Also ideal for removing irregularities, formwork seams and protrusions
• Double sealed ball bearings and two "lip-sealing" protective ringsfor added protection against dust contamination
• 5-inch wheel diameter, 11,000 RPM

Reviews (1)

Easy-to-use, finishing tool
I do residential construction and was looking for equipment that can shape concrete foundations, piers and slabs. Although I already have a 4.5in angle grinder with a diamond cup, I was searching for something that would leave a smoother, flatter surface and would not put out clouds of harmful annoying dust.The Bosch 1773AK Concrete Surfacing Grinder is well designed and made from quality materials. It requires no skill to use. In fact, its boring. Just set it on top of a foundation wall or slab, apply a little pressure and drag it along at about 1/4in per second.The surface grinder has a dust removal port that mostly eliminates the dust clouds. An adapter (included) brings the diameter up to 1-1/4in and then another one on the vacuum hose (not included) allows connection to the 2-1/2in port on a Ridgid shop vac.Although the Bosch surface grinder functions correctly and does remove dust, I would call it strictly a surfacing tool rather than a grinder. Ironically, the equipment works best on surfaces that are already flat. This expensive, specialized tool leaves a flat, finished surface of exposed aggregate. It is for this specific task and does not replace the angle grinder. If I have to remove chunks, round corners or shape the material down to a somewhat flat surface, I go back to the angle grinder. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bosch    2. (Bosh)    3. Grinders    4. Straight Grinders   

Editorial Review

Power polishers help cars, boats, floors--or anything else you take a shine to--come clean. The Makita polisher uses electronic speed control to maintain a constant 600 to 3,000 rpm, even under load, and that combined with multiple speed settings results in little risk of burning paint. The polisher converts easily to a sander, and quick-change hook-and-loop sanding pads eliminate clamping, bending, and tucking. We like how the handle provides secure, comfortable grips for use at any angle, and the lock-on trigger means you can go long distances with minimum fatigue. The 10 amp motor provides plenty of power, and, as with all Makita products, it's designed for long life, with easily accessible brushes that can be changed outside of the tool's housing. If you like to maintain a flawless façade, this tool deserves a place in your arsenal. --Justin Paul ... Read more

Features

• Variable speed (0-3,000 RPM) with pre-set maximum speed dial; ideal for ultra slow polishing
• Pre-set speed setting dial (from 600-3,000 RPM) for maximum control
• Electronic speed control maintains constant speed under load
• Easily converts to a sander
• 3-prong plug to prevent static electricity accumulation

Reviews (4)

Great polisher-sander!
This is an incredibly fine tool--the best 8-inch polisher-sander I've ever owned--I've got two of them. I've had older Milwaukees, a Porter-Cable, a Hitachi, and also an earlier Makita; this one beats 'em all. (Though the newer ones by the other manufacturers might be competitive.) The speed control is great--it adjusts to real slow for delicate work, and plenty fast for other stuff--and also, you can change the speed with your thumb as you polish or sand, without pausing--a very handy plus. And the arching side handle is an improvement over the old straight style. I've got nothing negative to say about this tool--except maybe one tiny thing: the trigger also adjusts the speed, but on the ones I have (from a couple years ago), that doesn't work too well; it goes too suddenly from slow to fast and so is relatively uncontrollable. But it isn't a bother, since you can just use the thumb adjustment, and I assume that's been fixed, anyway, in the recent models. This is just a great tool that's a pleasure to use.

ITS THE MAX
I had a body shop for twenty years. Spent more time behind a polisher than would be believed if I stated it. Polishers for automotive use were all 2400 RPM. It was either on or off, and no variable speed. When trying to feather in an area, I used to feather the switch on and off intermittently. This polisher by Makita takes it to the next level. The moment I took it out of the box and plugged it in, it was preset at one on the speed dial. I squeezed the trigger, and it crawled around so slow I couldn't believe it. Then when setting it at a higher number it gave you variable speed on the trigger. That way you had the option of adjusting by the trigger, any speed up to the preset number. Additionally, you could press in the lock on, and it would remain at a constant speed. In plain words, every option was considered, well thought out, and integrated into the tool. Leave it to Makita to make another dead on accurate tool. Add to that the built in smart electronics, which gives you just the right amount of power to keep it running at the preset speed, even when it encounters more resistance. That keeps the speed constant.
I do woodworking projects now, and was looking for a solution to give me a polished finish. The problem was that my old polishers had two speeds. Flat out 2400 or stop. Additionally they had only one option for bonnets, or cutting wheels: Large!
The Makita 9227C comes with a hook and loop 7" backing pad, and an included centering spline. Their are nice polishing wool bonnets that work with the hook and loop pad. Their are also hook and loop lambswool polishing pads that are close napped, and make for a very tight clean edge. Great for getting into those otherwise inaccessable areas. With woodwork, you may be polishing a 3 inch apron for example, right up against the underside of the table top. That requires a hook and loop backing pad, with a tight nap hook and loop pad.
Makita also has available as an option, the side handles that we have all come to know, the standard throughout the years. Those side handles are my personal choice for automotive. The handle that this 9227c comes with does not feel intuitively comfortable in my opinion. At first I thought that handle would grow on me after awhile. NOT, it is uncomfortable. I had bought the Makita 4 1/2" grinder at an earlier time from Home Depot, when they run their tool sale, just about giving it away. That side handle works perfectly on the polisher as well. So for the super cheap price, it is nice to have the handle, and the grinder.
Additionally, this polisher is available at the Makitatools.com site with the side handle only instead of the wrap around handle. The part number on that one is 9227CY. Since the side handle is available as an option, I chose to go with this one, and pick up the handle, to keep all options open.
Makita also had the standard rubber backing pad with the hex nut for the center, so you can use the standard bolt on cutting wheels, and be able to use the tie on bonnets on top of it.
If you are planning on doing the mile deep gloss level of polishing, you will need the 2400 speed range that this Makita gives you. (As well as the other speeds) The polishers that only go to 1750 is not what you want for truly incredible gloss. Especially when using high build finishes like urethanes, and well cured lacquers.
With all that in mind, that makes this Makita the top of the heap. It does share that position with the Milwaukee 5540, but that is another review. I like the Makita because it is 6 pounds instead of 9 like the 5540, and has 99 percent of the power, and 25% better price tag. The Milwaukee comes with the side handle instead of the wrap around.
All in all I am glad I bought the Makita although I must admit the Milwaukee is tugging at me as well. Highly recommended.

solid unit
nice solid unit...unique handle allows variations in holding the unit up. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Makita    2. (Maketa)    3. (Mikita)    4. Polishers & Buffers   

Features

• Metal gear housing for increased durability
• Convenient paddle switch with lock on button for easier gripping
• 3 position removable side handle for greater comfort and control
• 7.5 amp, 10,000 rpm

Reviews (15)

Great within its limits.
My wife bought me this for Christmas last year.(You gotta love tools for Christmas.)The grinder is great for everything I have used it for.Cutting steel, grinding welds, grinding some concrete and masonry.The only thing that it doesn't work for is the lack of a guard that is designed to work with diamond wheels.I needed to cut some concrete and I needed to use a diamond wheel to do it, come to find out you've got to drop a good chunck of change for a different guard.Well, I figured out another way to get done what I needed, didn't buy the new guard and still like the grinder.It should have come with a guard that would work for whatever you are going to use it for.That said, if you're not going to ever use diamond wheels, this grinder works well and I have no reservations recommending it.

want to trade it for a coffee grinder?
I bought this tool with the sole intention of cutting concrete for repair work around the yard. The fact that the guard supplied isn't rated for the 4 1/2" diamond wheel was a shame, I should have looked at the price of the "additional accessories" before I bought this thing, it turns a reasonable purchase into one I would reconsider. So, casting safety asside, I used the standard guard. In all, it's a fair grinder. I cut through 3" slab no problem, ground the edges on a set of brick pillars. The switch then started to get 'sticky' from all the dust...I should have bought the Bosch.

Not that heavy duty
DeWalt makes good tools for the homeowner. I purchased this grinder because it looked and handled well. I wanted to use the grinder with a cut off wheel but found it can not without an adapter. DeWalt needs to put this information on the box. I had to return the grinder for this reason. This heavy duty grinder only does light duty tasks. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. DeWalt    2. (De Walt)    3. Grinders    4. Angle Grinders   

Editorial Review

Using a dull-edged tool takes more effort, gives inferior results, and is dangerous. This Delta sharpening center uses a wet/dry system to hone both hardened and nonhardened tools and helps keep you on the cutting edge. Powered by a 120-volt, 1/5-horsepower induction motor, it rests on a solid cast-iron base that bolts easily to any bench or tabletop in the shop. The wet side spins a 1,000-grit, 8-inch wheel at 400 rpm to sharpen hardened tools without damaging their temper. Water pressure is easily regulated to help achieve a constant stream suited to any sharpening application. For honing edges and pointing screwdrivers, the dry side turns the 5-inch aluminum-oxide wheel up to 3,600 rpm. We especially appreciate the ease with which the tool rest and holder adjust to work on either wheel, whether tightly clamped around blades for a perfectly horizontal surface or removed to allow rotation. --Justin Paul ... Read more

Features

• Two-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• Cast iron body for stability
• Adjustable tool rests hold the workpiece at the proper angle for sharpening
• Wet grinding wheel sharpens hardened cutting tools without damaging temper
• Dry wheel for pointing screwdrivers and honing knives and workshop tools

Reviews (28)

great engineering, poor construction
If BMW hired the three stooges to build their new 7 series sedan, it might end up alot like the Delta 23-710.Great engineering, poor construction.It is an amazing product for the price.I got mine, with the optional planer knife jig, for less than $200 from Amazon.com.When all was said and done, I was able to perfectly grind and hone my 6" jointer knives in very little time.However, alot was said and done to get to that point.

As it comes in the box, the Sharpening Center was non-functional.The grooves in all the tool jig rods were
misaligned with the set screws, making it imposssible to line up a blade with the grinding wheels.The jig rods must be set up so their grooves DO NOT align with the set screws so that the jig will align properly with the grinder.Also, my planer knife jig would not hold planer knives.I had to re-drill the locating holes on the clamp plate to get it to work correctly.While functional, the jig now looks like a Rube Goldberg contraption.

After reading other reviews, I think most people will find they have alot of work ( and thinking on their feet ) to do before they can get this thing to sharpen a blade.So how can I give it three stars?First of all, it is a whole lot cheaper than your only two real alternatives for sharpening planer/jointer knives - the Makita 9820-2, or the Tormek.Secondly, it really is well engineered, and once you get it's problems fixed, it does a very nice job.

So, if you're the kind of person who sees "challenges" and "learning oppertunities" not "problems" and "cheap labor issues", then this is the sharpener for you.If not, send your blades out for sharpening, because I'm sure the Tormek and Makita have their issues also.

Inadequate
I purchased this item primarily to sharpen wood turning chisels.Impossible to use with small chisels for turning projects on a mini lathe, because the shafts are not long enough to be held by the provided tool holder.General quality is poor, and insufficiently flexible use for a variety of sharpening requirements.

You get what you pay for
Can this sharpener do what the Tormek can? No way! However this sharpener is a lot less expensive. I've used it successfully to sharpen wood chisels and plane irons. It does a good job in a lot less time than doing it all by hand. The white wheel is good for rough work (grinding a new edge on an old screw driver) and the tool holders work fine. Yes the wet wheel might splash a bit and the tool holders are not adequate for sharpening complex curves. But if you are looking for an inexpensive way to sharpen flat edge tools, this one does work. I have no complaints. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Grinders    2. Bench Grinders   

Features

• 2 year limited warranty on machines, parts and accessories
• Powerful 2.5-amp induction motor for quiet smooth operation
• White sharpening wheel and general grinding wheel for all grinding and sharpening
• Electronic variable speed from 2,000 to 3,450 rpm
• Diamond wheel dresser standard with on-board storage

Reviews (7)

Its decent - but not great
Before buying this tool I found myself in a common predicament - I needed a grinder with some decent features and I didn't have a lot to spend on it.That being said, I chose this model for the following high points:

1.It has variable speed - mine has worked flawlessly thus far, but I use it at the lowest speed 80% of the time anyway.

2.The worklight is a huge plus - no more straining to see because you are in too much of a hurry to set up a proper light.

3.The combination of white and grey wheels - the "white" wheel does a great job of fine tuning the work done by the "grey" wheel.

Now for the downsides:

1.There is a fair amount of runout in the motor shaft.This doesn't affect what I use this thing for, but I can see where it would be a big issue for some.

2.The tool rests are terrible.If you mount them as instructed there is no way to get them square to the wheels.I had to shim the edges of the mounting brackets with thick washers to come anywhere close to square...

All of that said, I feel that this is not a terrible tool for what it is.I had no problems with assembly (10 minutes) and I find the power of the motor to be very adequate.If Delta were charging $20 less for this thing I would readily give it another star...

Look elsewhere
I've had a GR250 for slightly longer than the warranty period.In this time, I've only used it for a few hours, probably less than FIVE!The only use I had for a grinder was establishing a quick hollow grind on edge tools.The stock tool rests stink, so I had it set up on an MDF base with a Veritas rest.

Recently, I took up turning, so I've needed to use a grinder more.As soon as I started using the GR250 for serious work, I found excessive runout in the _shafts_, which no stone truing or balancing can correct.Also, my variable speed quit, and the grinder will no longer run at anything other than full speed.

Need a good grinder?Spend the cash for a Baldor or equivalent, 'cause this isn't a precision machine.

I have several Delta machines, including a DJ-20 and X5 Bandsaw, and have noticed that the quality of lower priced Delta products has really hit the wall over the last few years.Other than paint, marketing and advertising, I see no difference in quality between this unit and some of the $29-39 Chiwanese imports.

Last point - the design of the base on this unit prevents a OneWay Wolverine jig from being mounted underneath the wheels.

tool rest detents
This problem is overcome by placeing a washer between the 2 surfaces ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Grinders    2. Bench Grinders   

Features

• Easy to install and adjust tool-free guard
• 7.5 Amp 11,000 RPM Motor
• Epoxy coated field winding
• Sealed switch
• Ergonomical paddle switch with Lock-On button

Reviews (7)

This Tool is fantastic
This last weekend I was putting in windows.I have two 9ft sliding glass doors.Somehow I mismeasured and needed to cut the stucko back.This tool cut beautifully.It has plenty of power for my needs.It is my new favorite tool.

Pure power
I purchased this Bosch grinder through Amazon.com to tuck point brick work. Received the tool in one week with free shipping. The paddle switch is a safe feature. When you release the paddle it stops. I found it to be very powerfull and it has absolutely no hesitation. Pure power!
I installed a dry diamond blade for cutting brick - cut like butter with a hot knife. Installed a 4 1/2" diamond tuck point wheel and removed a mortar joint 35" wide in seconds. Highly recommend this tool if your looking for a good grinder. Well worth the money for the safety & power it delivers.

Bosch-Build to Last
This is extremely well-designed, well-built, and heavy duty. No complaints here.Don't hesitate--buy this tool you'll be glad to did. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bosch    2. (Bosh)    3. Grinders    4. Angle Grinders   

Features

• Kit includes: universal gouge jig, multi jig, tool rest with TORLOCK
• Planer/jointer blade jig, knife jig, long knife jig, axe jig
• Stone grader, diamond stone truing tool, horizontal base, scissors jig
• Profiling leather honing wheel, short tool jig, and machine cover

Reviews (2)

Perfect compliment to your Tormek
I purchased a Tormek 2006 at a local woodworking store a couple months ago and used the included fixture to sharpen my hand chisels and hand plane irons.Results were amazing.I now know what a sharp edge is and how nice it is to have truely sharp edges on these tools.

I didn't spend a boat load of money just to have sharp chisels and planes.This machine is billed as the tool to make a sharp edge on just about anything.

Well...After getting the whole set of fixtures, I set out to sharpen my planer blades, jointer blades, turning tools, knifes, and everything else the whole set would sharpen, minus the axe fixture.Everything turned out absolutely perfect, the first time.Sharp as a razor.I've found out that the first time sharpening a tool with the Tormek may take some time but after the initial grind is established, resharpening is a breeze.

I would recommend this kit to anyone who has a Tormek.

You can sharpen just about anything with this kit
Let me say that the Tormek system is a big bullet to bite. Seems like a lot of money spent just to sharpen things. When you get into using the sharpening system, you soon realize, that the time spent on sharpening is cut in less than half. Additionally the keen edge, (almost scary) that it puts on your tools, saves you a lot of time, and enables you to produce fine work. Instead of spending a half an hour sharpening for each 20 minutes I spend on the lathe, I spend less than half of that. And the time that I spend is more pleasurable than the stroke, stroke, stroke, with a stone and oil.
The main draw of this complete kit, is that it saves you a lot of money over the individual items.
The Tormek system, hands down, has been touted as the best across the board, in all of the woodworking reviews. The tool stays cool, the edge is brought to a polished finish, and it is easy to use.
With the accessory kit, you can even sharpen your neighbors kitchen knives. In addition to just about every other sharp edge you have in the house.
The accessories are quality made, and should last a lifetime.A bit pricey yes, but once you go for it, you know your set for any kind of sharpening you may need.
My only gripe about the system, is that you have to regrade the stone for each tool. I have been trying to think of a better way. The only solution I can come up with, is to have twin stones, side by side. Dress them both with the diamond truing bit, to get two even-same size surfaces. Then grade one of them to 220 grit, and the other one to 1000 grit. Then when you mount a chisel, for example, you would rough it out with the 220, and immediately go over to the 1000 to finish it off. Why is this important? Because you can not remove a tool from a holder, and reinstall it exactly the way it was. You may think, well I will get it close, and if you are willing to do the finer grade on just the tip, that will work. But when you go to resharpen, you have to remove more material to redress the whole surface, in order to get the full face. Capeche? So we are back to having to redress the wheel for each sharpening.
At the demonstration from the Tormek factory rep, he regraded on every tool, and spent some time leaning on the grading stone, to get it totally to the other grade.
So do we see a Tormek II in the future? I think they do not want to introduce a second stone, since that is the single most expensive part of the kit, which is expensive to start with. On small tools you could regrade half the stone, and get the same effect.
Thought you would find that interesting. The accessory kit is a nice package. I know restaurants, and barber shops etc, have an ongoing need for sharpening services. This setup makes it worthwhile to have an onboard inhouse service.
Great kit, great system, bite the bullet and buy the complete kit. In the long run you will be glad you did. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Grinder Accessories   

Features

• 115/230v
• Built rugged for demanding work loads
• 3/4 inch hp1800 RPM buffer offers the ultimate in buffer flexibility
• Excellent for polishing and buffing metal, aluminum, brass, and copper
• Single phase

Reviews (4)

Top Notch gear
I have been using this buffer for about 3 years now in our manufacturing plant, on a daily basis for the most part, and there isn't a finer buffer out there. Not only do I use it to polish and de-burr sewing machine parts, but my hobby is restoring old slot machines, cash registers, and video games, and it has made short work of everything I've thrown at it. Buy this one first-It'll be the last one you'll ever buy.

Great online experience
This review is mostly for Amazon. I have been using Baldor buffers for years and have come to expect a certain level of quality. This buffer is no different. Smooth and quiet and no complaints after being used every day under heavy loads. But, Amazon gets the 5 stars here. I ordered this buffer on a Saturday afternoon via phone, used the free super saver shipping because I was in no hurry for it, and lo and behold, the following Tuesday morning it arrived. Wow! Great job to Amazon and FedEx.

Fine machinary.
Humming along under heavy use for a couple years now. Smooth, quiet, powerful, and a heck of a deal. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Polishers & Buffers   

Features

• Two-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• 3/4 hp motor turns at 1725 rpm for cooler grinding
• Fully adjustable tool rests provide the proper angle and support for all applications
• Flexible lamp can be adjusted to illuminate the workpiece for the best visibility
• Steel wheel guards have built-in dust ports for use with a metal dust collector

Reviews (9)

An industrial sized grinder priced for the home hobbiest
My first impression of this grinder was that it is HUGE and HEAVY. It is no wonder that the cardboard box and styrofoam packaging arrived in pretty bad shape. Nothing damaged though and it went together in just a few minutes. The lamp comes without a light bulb but I found that the recommended 40 watt reflector track light bulb works well.

I am a woodturner so I am interested in smooth running wheels that leave a good cutting edge on my high speed steel tools.The grinding wheels that come with this unit are of reasonable quality and produce good results with proper dressing.The dressser that comes with the grinder is OK for truing the wheel but leaves the surface a little too rough for my liking so I use a diamond dresser.

The tool rests are strong and solid but if you need to make frequent adjustments to the rest, as I do, you should think about replacing the supplied bolts with rachet knobs for easier adjustment.

I think that Delta should have connected the two grinder exhaust ports together, as they face each other, and provided a single vacuum connection. The side facing exhaust portrs make connecting an exhaust hose awkward.

The grinder I received runs very quiet with almost no vibration once that the wheels trued up. It takes up a lot more space on my work bench than the old sears grinder it replaced but the extra clearance between the wheels and motor housing makes grinding curved surfaces much easier.All in all, I am very pleased with this unit and I am sure that I will get many years of good service from it.For the price it is hard to beat.

Professional grade 8" grinder
Because my prior [high-speed] grinders too easily overheated metal parts, I now prefer slower speed machines.Also, wheels turning at a slower speed are less likely to disintegrate, so this machine should be somewhat safer than a 3450 RPM grinder.All things being equal, a 3450 RPM grinder will remove material faster, but the motor on this 1725 RPM grinder is so powerful, to remove material faster, just press harder.

The 23-725 is big and heavy.In spite of Amazon and Delta claiming this is a 100 lb. device, the box it came in weighed "only" 82 pounds - so the machine probably weighs about 79 pounds.That's still plenty heavy.The wheels are 15 ¾" from wheel center to wheel center; it's 10 ¾" to the top of the motor housing; 19" wide not counting the eye shields, 12" to the top of the wheel housing; 11 3/8" deep without the water tray, and 12 ¾" deep with the water tray.

The cast iron motor frame, tool rests & tool-rest brackets, plus the four large rubber feet, keeps vibration within the acceptable range, and gives the tool a look and feel of quality and heft.The tool-rests are rock-solid.

The toggle switch is protected, so it's unlikely you'll accidentally turn it on, a good safety feature.The lift-off water tray is amply sized.The fitted lamp is quite nice and the goose-neck section is about the right length.At the rear of each wheel's housing is an inward facing 1 3/4" dust port for a vacuum hook-up.As an alternative, a rubber-banded sock over each port seems to catch most of the grit.The grinder comes with a wheel dressing tool.

The box said Made in Taiwan.Many years ago that might have been an indication of lower quality, but it seems to me that this tool looks good enough to have said Made in the USA.

As a point of reference, the Sears Craftsman 8" professional grinder (model # 21158, Internet or catalog only) looks nearly identical but costs $10 more (not counting tax & shipping), is a 3450 rpm machine, and doesn't come with an aluminum oxide wheel.

If you already own a grinder, consider retrofitting your old machine with wire wheels and/or buffing wheels.

This Delta is a professional grade grinding machine.I've had the 10" version of this grinder (Delta 23-735, now discontinued) for a couple of years, and have used it countless times.Perhaps that's the ultimate accolade; I liked the 10" model so much, I bought this one for my son.

Delta 23-725 8" Industrial Grinder
Excellent grinder. Very smooth running,low noise. Shipping is the only problem. Amazon should not say it ships in 24 hours when they know it will be closer to a month. It was shipped in a weak cardboard box. This is a 100 lb plus grinder. That is asking a little much of Chinese cardboard. The light and one side was smashed. It is being replaced without a problem. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Grinders    2. Bench Grinders   

Features

• Inner flange, and wheel guard
• Extra large paddle switch for easy operation right or left handed
• high power to weight ratio
• Spiral gears; spindle lock; double insulated
• Includes 4 1/2 inch grinding wheel, lock nut wrench, side handle, lock nut

Features

• Teeth are easily sharpened with 5/32-inch round file
• Fits most 4-inch or 4-1/2-inch disc or angle grinders
• Cuts the hardest woods in any direction
• Great for mass removal of wood
• Sculpts, channels, hollows, and cuts curves

Reviews (1)

A Useful Tool, indeed!
I would have given the Lancelot Carving Blade a 5-star rating except for the price BUT it really does the job as advertised. It is very useful for pole barn, post and beam construction for fitting up twisted/warped posts to rafters, etc. Oh heck...it was worth the bucks.....give it one more star! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Grinder Accessories   

Features

• 6 inch 1800 RPM grinder
• Two-piece tool rest permitting vertical and horizontal adjustments
• Tool rests can be tilted at any angle
• Complies with OSHA standards
• 3 Year Warranty

Reviews (6)

Nice!
This replaced a Delta GR250 that bit the dust after about 5 hours of use.

The Baldor is not cheap, but you'll leave it to the grandkids.I can't comment on the rests, as I've set this up with a OneWay Wolverine jig / rest kit.Good power tools almost fade in the background in use.You simply forget about the tool and complete your task.This grinder is one of those tools.You can actually forget it's running.

I feel the Baldor is a great value.It's far from cheap, but the quality and utility is 100% there.My old grinder was simply cheap, and not a good value even at the low price.

A pleasure to operate
This grinder is light years better than any Asian import grinder out there. The motor is vibration free and runs very strong for only 1/4 hp.

The box was very solid with the grinder shrink wrapped to a piece of woodthat was the same size as the bottom of the box.
The shrink wrap had been torn around each grinding wheel. Since there was Amazon sales lititure in the box, I assume that the shipper at Amazon was checking for broken wheels. Since another reader complained of broken wheels, Amazon obviously reads customer reviews.

Since this is a low speed grinder (1800 rpm), it is really intended for sharpening tool steel, lathe chisels, etc. There are only a few low speed grinders available so this is really a specialty grinder. If you just want a general purpose grinder for sharpening lawnmower blades and such, you probably would be happy with the Baldor Big Red, 1/3 h/p 6" grinder as it turns at 3600 rpm, is cheaper and still has the same great Baldor quality.

The blade guards are heavy-duty cast iron and the exhaust chutes direct all of the waste out the back. This is a blessing or a curse depending on your perspective. The guards fit very close to the sides of the wheel so there would be maximum containment if a wheel were to disintegrate. The spark guards are very stout and adjust easily and stay put.

The wheel guards on all the imports that I looked at other than the Jet 8" have flimsy sheet metal guards with flimsy, poorly adjustable tool rests. I would much rather have the Baldor's heavy-duty guards in place if a wheel disintegrates rather thanone of the imports guards.

I don't have a problem with the tools rests as one other reviewer did. They are very adjustable and very solid for what they are, basic tool rests. (If you are using this for sharpening lathe chisels, you will probably be installing an aftermarket jig anyway). I find them easy to adjust, just keep a wrench handy. My only real complaint was that the ground surfaces were protected by brown plastic packing tape. It required a razor blade and some solvent to get the adhesive off. All in all, a very minor complaint for such a high quality, solid machine.

The eye shields are very solid. They are large and made of 3/16 Lexan and adjust quite nicely. They mount high and out of the way. Time will tell whether they will stay on the machine or I will take them off, but as long as they hold up to the harsh environment, I will use them. The eye shields on all of the imports were pitiful.

The wheels included are high quality Norton Silicon Oxide general-purpose wheels. Not good for fine work like sharpening lathe chisels, but nice and round and balanced. Save them for sharpening your lawnmower blades and put on some Norton White Aluminum Oxide wheels for the fine work.

I could have bought an import 8" or about three import 6"s for less than this high quality 6" but after reading reviews of the imports, and looking at them at the store, I know that I will not ever have to worry - "Is this going to be the time that it will give up the ghost" before flipping the switch. My grandkids will be able to use this tool, and my kid is only 2!

A disappointment
The Baldor arrived with a cracked wheel so the honeymoon was very short lived. Since sparks fly out the rear unabated (along with bits of wheel and tool) I bolted the grinder to a small plywood box I built to contain the sparks and other detritus that spins off any grinder and set it on a non skid mat.

My main problem is with the tool rests. For this money I expect they should be solid and easy to adjust. They are neither. Unless I really crank them down, they will shift when pressing a tool down. Adjusting them with a wrench is difficult on a good day since the bolts are tucked down in between the wheels and the motor. I finally exchanged their bolts for some small plastic jig handles, so at least I can adjust them a little easier.

Otherwise, the Baldor runs smoothly and quietly, now that I have unbroken wheels mounted. For such an otherwise well made machine, it was disappointing to find it such a pain to use. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Grinders    2. Bench Grinders   

Features

• 1/3 hp / 3600 RPM
• Two-piece tool rest permitting vertical and horizontal adjustments
• Tool rests can be tilted at any angle
• Complies with OSHA standards
• 3 Year Warranty

Subjects:  1. Grinders    2. Bench Grinders   

Features

• 2 year limited warranty on machines, parts and accessories
• 2.5-amp induction motor for cooler, quieter operation
• Cast-iron base and motor housing for durability and stability
• Ball bearing construction for long-lasting smooth operation
• Flexible lamp provides proper illumination for better visibility

Reviews (4)

Unacceptable
I bought the similar model, I believe it was the GR-275. I ended up taking it back. Some reasons: Both wheels ran out diametrically, a lot, causing very bad vibration. After dressing both wheels the vibration was still bad. Upon checking I found both wheels were running out side-to-side, the white wheel very badly (about 0.060" runout). I tried dismounting them and checking for problems with burrs or debris but could find none. The included wheel dresser gouged the SOFT aluminum tool rests when I dressed the wheels. I agree with another reviewer that the angled v-cut in the left-hand tool rest is more of a hindrance than a help. The wheel nut on one side was hard to get off. I found the threads in the nut had a large burr which had almost galled the shaft threads. I didn't have a left-hand tap to run in and clean up the threads, and by that time I was tired of messing with it.
Overall, the motor unit and base was heavy and solid. The variable speed feature is decent. The tool rests seemed fairly solid, and except for he problems mentioned above were usable. The other components were cheap and flimsy. The spark guards would hit the guard attachment lock knobs when adjusted down to compensate for wheel wear.

cast pot metal under powerd ...
one of the tool rets one mine broke wile gentel use I was suprisd because I thought it would be steel or cast iron wich i could fix by weldimng it but no it was pot metal which is almost imposible to repair.Ten seconds after I turned it on the spare stopers on top losend and started to grind away the spark shileds got dirty and started to shake about and get in the way.so needless to say I took them off and threw them out. them moter spins to fast to grind cuting tools for it burns the temper and is good for nothing but light slow deburing.The moter is pathetic It takes for ever to grind a lawn moer blaed espsily if you have a tractor with two blades like on a tractor mower.if you even have a slight nick in the blade it takes five pluss minuts longer at least.then by trhe timne you are about done shrping your two blades the mote housing is very very warmfor it dose not have sufficent cooling. also to use it it needs to be bolted to heavy and sturdy base or else it will tilt back and flip over if you use any presure.also it takes forever to grind any thing.buy a real grinder like a 1725 rpm grinder for wood wqorking tools or an angel grinder for lawn mower blades and outhe stuff.

Great value
Quality construction.Tool rests are solid cast(not flimsy stamped like a lot of other grinders in this price range).Angled channel in right tool rest is great for sharpening drill bits.Super quiet - almost too quiet (can hardly tell that it's running).For the price (39.99 at Lowes), it has an attached flexible lamp!!Sturdy plastic spark deflectors are easily adjusted and are very transparent, so you can still see what you are doing.The only thing missing is variable speed control (how often would you find that feature useful?). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Grinders    2. Bench Grinders