If you have the room get it. It’s one of those tools that once you have it you will find more uses for it. Could also sharpen tools with it. Certain tools like these hit a bottom price and stay there so chances are you could probably sell it in the future for what you bought it for. *** but check spindle runout! Answer from dipstick162 on reddit.com
Practical Machinist
practicalmachinist.com › forums › specific machine forums › south bend lathes
South Bend Lathes | Thoughts on surface grinder for home hobbyist? | Practical Machinist - Largest Manufacturing Technology Forum on the Web
November 27, 2022 - I asked a machinist buddy one time ... look for the best condition possible. ... If looking for a decent home-shop surface grinder, look for an old Delta/Rockwell....
The Hobby-Machinist
hobby-machinist.com › forums › general types of metalworking machines › tool grinders & surface grinders
What's the best surface grinder and why? | The Hobby-Machinist
December 23, 2024 - If it's for occasional use, manual might be fine. Any of the 'real' brands are probably fine assuming reasonable condition. I've owned a ton of surface grinders - which is to say one, which is a bit more than a ton - and the Brown & Sharpe Micromaster checks the boxes for me.
Videos
18:05
SURFACE GRINDING part 1, basic principals, wheel dressing, prepping ...
20:28
Small Surface Grinder Part 9 - S02E31 - YouTube
06:01
Very impressive small surface grinder will be sad to see it - YouTube
28:03
Using a surface grinder. - YouTube
05:24
Five Reasons Why Surface Grinders are a ToolMakers Best Friend ...
17:46
Buying a 12x24 Okamoto Surface Grinder for our Machine Shop! - YouTube
Reddit
reddit.com › r/machinists › how useful is a surface grinder for a hobby shop?
r/Machinists on Reddit: How useful is a surface grinder for a hobby shop?
June 27, 2022 -
I've got a little garage setup with a little mill, lathe, welding setup, plasma table. There's a nice little Boyar Schultz on craigslist that looks to be in great shape, for a reasonable price.
I've never used a surface grinder before, but it would be nice to be able to make things that are actually flat and smooth, rather than flat and smooth enough. Do you think a surface grinder is worth the space in a hobby shop? Are there any novel uses for them besides making things precise and flat?
Top answer 1 of 8
16
If you have the room get it. It’s one of those tools that once you have it you will find more uses for it. Could also sharpen tools with it. Certain tools like these hit a bottom price and stay there so chances are you could probably sell it in the future for what you bought it for. *** but check spindle runout!
2 of 8
11
A surface grinder is the first thing I’d add to my shop if I had another 10 square feet of space, and I’d tear apart a wall to add another 10 square feet of space if I lucked into a surface grinder. Don’t forget that these are not clean machines and you’ll have to put some thought into spark and dust control
The Hobby-Machinist
hobby-machinist.com › forums › the main discussion section › questions & answers (get help fast here!)
Hobbyist Surface Grinder, Is There Such A Thing? | The Hobby-Machinist
March 8, 2016 - Yes. I just sold a table top Sanford surface grinder last summer to a member here on the board. It is the smallest 110V grinder I've ever seen, unfortunately they have been out of business for a long time and don't come up for sale all that often.
The Hobby-Machinist
hobby-machinist.com › forums › general types of metalworking machines › tool grinders & surface grinders
Which Surface Grinder? | The Hobby-Machinist
January 20, 2022 - Remember that the space will have to also allow room for the table to move at least the size of the chuck (with most machines...). What power will you be able to reasonably supply to run the grinder? This information will help to keep us from sending you options that you have no current use for... ... First, how much room do you have (or can reorganize the shop to make room for a surface grinder) in your "small home shop" for a surface grinder?
The Home Shop Machinist
bbs.homeshopmachinist.net › forum › general
Suggestions on a good home-shop sized Surface Grinder? - The Home Shop Machinist & Machinist's Workshop Magazine's BBS
We have two Okamoto grinders also, much heavier built. Parts aren't as easy to get as for the Harig, and not cheap either. No tenth feed if that's an issue. We put DROs on them. Kevin ... A 3-phase motor might be preferable on a surface grinder if the opinions regarding cogging on single-phase motors are to be believed.
Practical Machinist
practicalmachinist.com › forums › manufacturing today › abrasive machining
Abrasive Machining | Preferred surface grinder manufacturer | Practical Machinist - Largest Manufacturing Technology Forum on the Web
June 25, 2021 - Re OT Norb: [a Gallmeyer and Livingston] Rebuilt to new specifications.. likely no new machine in the world could come close to the performance and longevity of a G&L. Parker Majestic, B&S, Mattison, Norton, Thompson, Landis, Abrasive just to name a few great never-to-be-matched machines.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/machinists › surface grinder
r/Machinists on Reddit: Surface grinder
April 5, 2024 -
Hi everyone, I am in the search for new surface grinder, any recommendations in brands? What to look for? I am looking for manual or automatic.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/machinists › surface grinder alternative?
r/Machinists on Reddit: Surface grinder alternative?
April 23, 2024 -
I have a small home shop (Bridgeport, lathe, benchtop cnc) and am looking for a hard material removal device.
I often outsource part of my projects (start with laser cut blanks, or have complex geometry wired, then I finish it up) to reduce costs.
I find myself working with more hard materials (S7 52-54RC has become the material of choice in one of my hobbies), so being able to work with it after hardening would be helpful.
At the mold shop where I work, this would just be a matter of putting a sine plate or a fixture on a surface grinder and working it down. And so naturally I have been watching Craigslist for a surface grinder. So far, I have found 110v to be scarce, and usually these machines are rather large for my shop.
This morning I got thinking (dangerous, I know) that maybe there's another machine to do what I need. Mostly I want to be steps, angles, or bevels on mostly finished parts. I don't have a need to precisely square up stock etc, so maybe a surface grinder is just way over kill?
Is there perhaps another grinding device that could suit my needs? In the wood working world, a 2 in 1 sander (belt/disc) with a nice table and miter slide would do nicely... I just need better control/clamping for metal (I think).
Is there anything between 'pedestal grinder' and 'surface grinder'?
Practical Machinist
practicalmachinist.com › forums › manufacturing today › general
General | Small surface grinder for home shop?? | Practical Machinist ...
March 10, 2013 - Plus a grinder often needs some extra real estate on the table for fixtures and such. I would get a 618 minimum, unless you trip over a pristine 612 for a great price. I would hold out for auto feeds. You won't want to do much surface grinding after the novelty wears off by manual cranking.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/machinists › smoothest 6x12 surface grinder to buy used
r/Machinists on Reddit: smoothest 6x12 surface grinder to buy used
July 9, 2023 -
Which (relatively) readily available used manual 6x12ish size surface grinders are the smoothest to use? I believe I recall some surface grinders use a different bearing method for the x-axis and handwheel that makes for very smooth but still accurate motion.
And any used models to definitely stay away from?
Top answer 1 of 5
4
Mitsui.
2 of 5
3
Some have standard (metal-on-metal) ways, others use ball bearings. My Taft Peirce (actually a 5x12) has ball bearing ways, crazy smooth. But it's a 70 year old machine, so wear is a concern. Mine holds 2 tenths over a 2x8" piece after I replaced the bearings, which is decent for this vintage. But, it can't take heavy cuts well. Good discussion here .
Penn Tool Co
penntoolco.com › home › machine tools › surface grinders
Metal Surface Grinders | Penn Tool Co.
To reduce the likelihood of less-than-satisfactory results, it’s recommended that you invest in a reliable surface grinder that is properly suited for your business. This Birmingham Precision Manual Surface Grinder, for example, is powerful ...
The Hobby-Machinist
hobby-machinist.com › forums › general types of metalworking machines › tool grinders & surface grinders
What's the best surface grinder and why? | Page 2 | The Hobby-Machinist
December 23, 2024 - That's the BEST kind ! Click to expand... The guy who gave it bought 5 B&S surface grinders at auction, kept the 4 manual machines, used in his tool & die shop for punch and die sharpening; best for that use due to the long overtravel of the hydraulic machines, even with the stops right against each other.
Penn Tool Co
penntoolco.com › home › blog › best surface grinders for 2025-2026 : top machines for precision metalworking
Best Surface Grinders for 2025-2026 : Top Machines for Precision ...
Manual Hand-Feed Grinder: Kent KGS-1020 Manual Hand-Feed Grinder ... The Chevalier Automatic Surface Grinder is one of the most popular machines used for surface grinding.
The Hobby-Machinist
hobby-machinist.com › forums › general types of metalworking machines › tool grinders & surface grinders
Surface Grinder for a hobbyist | The Hobby-Machinist
February 19, 2020 - Make sure and check to see if the spindle bearings are ok. They can be very expensive to replace. This is the wrong group to ask if you need another tool. Collectively we are great enablers. Once you have a surface grinder you will find more uses for it than you thought possible.
The Hobby-Machinist
hobby-machinist.com › forums › the main discussion section › tool junkies - love tools? this is your forum!
Who makes a good surface grinder small enough for a basememnt home shop? | The Hobby-Machinist
June 5, 2013 - The Enco grinder is kind of pricey though at $3000. ... Enco sells a 6" x 12" bench top surface grinder. I have one but even it weighs about 450 lbs. It can be bought with or without a base cabinet. A cast iron eye is mounted on top.
Grizzly
grizzly.com › surface-grinders
Surface Grinders - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.
Flawless precision and durability! Explore Grizzly’s surface grinders for efficient sharpening, smoothing, and finishing for your metalworking projects.
The Hobby-Machinist
hobby-machinist.com › forums › general types of metalworking machines › tool grinders & surface grinders
Best surface grinder for... | The Hobby-Machinist
August 3, 2025 - If you're looking to do inside tapers I would suggest a Tree brand boring head for your mill. They are extremely precise and cost a lot les than a surface grinder. There are several on eBay, but the asking price is more than I'm willing to pay. The sad part is that I passed on one new in the box from a used machine dealer a couple years ago that went for $250.00.
Canadian Hobby Metal Workers & Machinists
canadianhobbymetalworkers.com › home › forums › general metalworking and machining › machine talks. mills, lathes, shapers, etc.
Surface Grinder for those with space issues. | Canadian Hobby Metal Workers & Machinists
December 5, 2022 - Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen · Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers
The Garage Journal
garagejournal.com › forums › the tools › general tool discussion
Someone School me on Surface Grinders please. | The Garage Journal
October 26, 2018 - And usually on the small side, even the small machines have a pretty large footprint. ... Harig 6x12 would be my choice. -They can be worn. You'd probably have to print the part on a surface plate (like you were going to scrape it) to assess dimensional issues with parallelism.