Can someone recommend make and model of a very small grinding wheel for prepping guide feet? I am not high volume and the smaller the better as my workshop is the dining room table in an inner city apartment.

Thanks.

Are you looking for a bench grinder? The smallest I've seen is 3-1/2". A Dremel type hand grinder might better suit your needs. Very handy for trimming tips (w/high speed cut-off wheels) too. Prices for "kits" that include all the accessories you need start at under $20 for Imports up to about $75 for the Genuine article.

Mark Griffin
[]
C&M Custom Tackle
San Dimas, California

I just bought a Dremel 300 kit. I also bought an acc stand for it which is great. The stand turns it into a mini pedestal grinder. Mike gave you sound advice on going for a Dremel. Theres a photo on the photo board of dressing feet using a nylon bolt as a holder. [www.rodbuilding.org]
I used the Dremel to set up the disk in the same position as the one in the photo is on a lathe This is the stand [www.axminster.co.uk] Just to give you an idea
Great idea works great.
Thanks Mike Barkley



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/2006 02:44PM by Scott Bazinet.

Here's the stand that I use with a Dremel!! Works great [www.amazon.com] You can put it horizontal, vertical, use it as a drill press or even a router

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

I have for years been using a dremel tool with a reinforced cutting disk . One disk will grind over a hundred guides before needing to be replaced.
Oh, Tony that was some great tasting stuff you sent me. Thanks very much.

Lance

To all who responded -

I know many enjoy the Dremel. I tried it and maybe it's my caffeine habit and lack of a vise, but I kept slipping off the end of the foot and taking down the end. I destroyed one guide by making the foot shorter by almost half.

I directly e-mailed someone who had posted a recommendation for variable speed grinder that is only 7" wide, has two wheels, many RPMs and costs only $29.00 + shipping. I do not know the protocol here, but if you are interested, I can send you the URL link. The vendor is on @#$%& and I can tell you I saw the SAME EXACT grinder on a jewelry making web page for 4X that amount!

Lance was referring to the Chesapeake Sauce Company's Rosemary-based sauce and marinade, courtesy of the Baltimore City Farmer's Market. I'm glad you enjoyed that Lance. Looking forward to more Gator sausage this year in High Point.

Cheers,

Tony

Check out this outfit called Micromark (www.micromark.com). They specialise in miniature tools for the hobbiest and might have what your looking for.
I checked out their website and they do carry a miniature bench grinder.

Tony;
I would STRONGLY suggest taking Lance's example and use the "reinforced cutting disk", if you use a Dremel. They make several types of small disk. If you use one that is not reinforced they are fragile and tend to shatter. This can remove an eye or two. Even with the reinforced one I would suggest using glasses.

Hi Tony,

Go to your local hardware store and buy an electric can opener with the knife sharpener on the back side. Then cut the plastic shroud out from the sharpening wheel area. Woala - you got your grinding wheel and you did it for less than 20 bucks.... I do all my guide fee that way.

Terry LaValle
Grand Rapids, MN

Check out harbor freight. I have one of their small grinding machines with a flex arbor and the soft wheel works great for prep work on guides. It is about 9" long and has 2 wheels and a out put shaft for the flex shaft that comes with it, also it is variable speed

I use the Dremmel with the drill press stand but I did buy the mini grinder with a mini buffing wheel and a flex arbor from Harbor Freight. I went to their on-line website, down loaded one of their sale coupons and bought the whole unit for $30 at the local HF store. Its a pretty neat little unit for the money.

Rich Matranga
Folsom, California

Scott:

We have some small 2" unitized wheels for under $10. There is fine, medium, 80 and 120 grit available. If you get more than 1 wheel, there is also a quick change adapter available. They are no particular brand name, just little grinding wheels perfect for foot grinding. P 32 Merrick catalog upper right hand corner.


Pete
ACK Fishing & Tackle
866-285-0673
[www.ackfishing.com]

As noted above the Dremel tool or Harber Freight grinder both work well, I would recommend some type of guide holder while using a stationary grinder of any kind. If you don't use the stand with the Dremel tool you'll invariably go thru lots of cut off wheels, at least I do as I bump them somehow and fracture the wheels. The Harbor Freight grinder is just the right size for the correct guide foot prepping Unified Wheel that Bingham's carries, the grinder being variable speed also doesn't hurt either.

The small grinder you are looking for is the harbor freight one #43533 is the part number you can email me if needed at vphoppe@comcast.net

All great ideas, guys. Thanks. One thing for sure - I am getting nylon bolts and nuts or the guide holder from Mudhole. The grinder I did choose is supposed to be variable speed, but there is always a potentiometer, eh?