New Aldi Bench Grinder...advice please.

[nickjaxe]

Hi all...asked my wife to pickup from Aldi yesterday one of the £29 bench grinders on offer this week.

I thought it was a bog std bench grinder...but they had 2 different models....one with a normal grinding wheel on one end and on the other end a slow speed grinding wheel that runs in a bath of water at right angles to the other wheel.

Now I thought that this machine came with an accessory belt sander but the belt sander model same price is a different machine...normal wheel one end...belt sander the other.

Bless her she got both for me to choose.

No I have never owned a belt sander and 99% of the work I do is with metal...I do also have angle grinders.

So which machine do I keep...the one with the belt sander or the one with 2 wheels one that runs in water.

I do like the idea of a polishing disc to fit to the machine I keep.

By the way...anybody tell me what the wheel that runs in water is for?

Nick from Cheshire.

 

[tflnemesis]

Water wheel is for sharpening chisels, blades etc.
If it was me and I had the space I would keep both..

 

[outofthefire]

Sanding belts are far better for removing metal than a stone, same with a angle grinder flapdisks or soft pads rather than grinding stones. The only thing I use a stone for is sharpening drill bits. If you don't have woodworking tools to sharpen you'll rarely if ever use the wet stone.

 

[nickjaxe]

Not opened the boxes yet...but I wonder if I could fit a stone on the belt sander end in future if I dont use the belt...but I still have it if needed.

How practical are these machines with a polishing mop fitted...and what is the polishing paste used.

Thanks for the advice so far guys...very grateful.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

I've had my aldi/lidl belt sander like the one on sale just now for about 9 years now, its gets a lot of use and is still works perfectly, I always use the belt, except once when I ground a bit off my thumb with the wheel.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I have both, not Aldi versions but ones I bought years ago. I use the belt sander more than I use the grinder and I only use the wet stone grinder once in a blue moon, usually to give my 16" planer thicknesser blades a lick using the jig I made.

 

[steve_s]

Take them both back sorry to say I bought the belt sander one a few years ago they have no power and bog down and stop if anything but light pressure is applied the belt wont track right due to the flimsy construction (250w).
I ended up going to machine mart and getting one of there 8" grinders (375w)loads better. Have used it extensively with polishing wheels it will stop under load but you really have to be pushing hard to stall it.
It was this style but the 8" one which they don't seem to have on there web site https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cbg6rsc-6in-bench-grinder/

Buy cheap buy twice
Buy good gear once will last a life time JMHO
By the way I not saying all machine mart stuff is good some is pants
Steve

 

[outofthefire]

I've got the clarke version of the belt grinder and i'd put money on the internals being the same, you can stop the belt if you press hard enough but then you're pushing too hard. Neither though have the guts for polishing.

 

[nickjaxe]

Its looking like I will be keeping the belt sander

 

[nickjaxe]

So a polish mop take a bit of powering...would it be ok for light DIY use...what is the polishing cream thats used?

 

[Cobbler]

I've got a cheap belt sander/linisher from Nu-tool, although it's a bit underpowered, it's a very useful bit of kit. I just get the cheap belts from Screwfix when required. I think you will be surprised what you use it for, it's far less agressive than the wheel & doesn't seem to cause as much build up of heat.

 

[Wallace]

So a polish mop take a bit of powering...would it be ok for light DIY use...what is the polishing cream thats used?

The mop type and polishing soap are dependant on the material you want to polish. A 6" mop will have no problem slowing that Aldi grinder when leant on so getting a good finish will take longer.

 

[outofthefire]

It won't work on that grinder. You use a polishing soap on the mop and that needs to be held with reasonable pressure against the mop to load it. Just trying to do that will stop that grinder.

 

[nickjaxe]

I see...any other type of polisher that you guys can recommend for occasional use...even if its fitted to the likes of an angle grinder.

Looks like the belt sander is going to be staying then.

Many thanks again guys for all your advice.

 

[Wallace]

What do you want to polish?

 

[nickjaxe]

Nothing in particular...maybe things like alloy motorcycle engine cases and the like...very infrequently saying that.

 

[Wallace]

Try grinding a piece of steel on the full width of the wheel, that should give you an indication of how it will cope with a polishing mop.

 

[rich the mechanic]

I have had the belt one for a few years it's not the most powerful thing but does work so long as you don't load it to much. The only recommendation I have is buy better belts the ones mine came with had a lumpy joint which was a pain but they didn't last long anyway,.

 

[nickjaxe]

Hi Rich...yes I un packed it yesterday and had a quick test...I did notice the lumpy join that spoiled the action.

Is there a good general purpose belt you can recommend.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Just bought one and had a play with it, it is certainly not the quietest grinder I have owned and the sanding side seems a bit knocky (is that an actual word) in fact worringly so, will suspect the belt until I send off for some better ones.

No idea why there is a bottom tool rest mount either, that would be pressing against the revolving bottom roller and not the plate, used in that position any work piece jumps and bangs.