Most people would advise an 8" grinder because of the hollow grind issue on gouges, but also because you really want the additional width on the larger wheels. Trying to accurately grind a tool that's larger than 1/2" in width/diameter on a narrower 6" wheel can be challenging, at best. Low speed is preferred but not required - HSS tools are not subject to drawing the temper like old carbon steel tools, but even then, fast grinders remove steel faster, and cheap wheels tend to be coarse and very aggressive, so there's no sense wasting steel. Once you have a jig setup of some kind for repeatability, you'll only be skimming the tool on the wheel. You won't be removing a lot of steel unless you want to reshape your grind profile. If you're looking for a low-cost option, I think Grizzly probably has the most affordable option at about $130 shipped. It's practically identical to the popular Rikon 80-805 (probably comes from the same factory overseas), which means it's basically an out of the box solution. You don't have to upgrade the wheels to CBN unless you want to; the stock friable wheels will last a long time. Answer from Silound on reddit.com
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RYOBI Tools
ryobitools.com › products › 6" bench grinder
6" Bench Grinder
6" Bench Grinder
Featuring a rugged 2.1-Amp induction motor, the RYOBI 6 in. Bench Grinder utilizes an integrated LED work light to provide ideal illumination while you ...
Price   US$79.00
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Ryobi Tools
ryobitools.ca › products › details › 6-bench-grinder_676
2.1-Amp 6-inch Grinder with LED Lights | RYOBI Tools
Featuring a rugged 2.1-Amp induction motor, the RYOBI 6 in. Bench Grinder utilizes an integrated LED work light to provide ideal illumination while you work. Convenience features such as adjustable tool rests and magnifying glass eye shields.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/turning › thoughts on ryobi 6" bench grinder?
r/turning on Reddit: Thoughts on Ryobi 6" Bench Grinder?
November 14, 2023 -

Very new to turning and grateful that this sub exists! I recently bought a lathe and have had it for just over a month. Not really turning "things" yet, just practicing cuts and techniques mostly. I purchased an 8 piece PSI HSS chisel set as I wanted to learn on traditional tools to start.

I have been reading as much as I can about the world of turning and have looked through the sub's wiki as well. When I purchased the tool set, I already owned an old Delta Universal Wet/Dry grinder (23-700 model) that I had hoped perhaps I could use to eventually sharpen the chisels/gouges but from what I'm reading and have tried, I don't think it will work (open to suggestions though if someone thinks I can use it).

I was at home depot today and decided to check out their bench grinder selection. Of course, in-store they only had one model, the ryobi 2.1 amp 6" bench grinder, though it was only 80 bucks which price-wise was nice. I was thinking about getting the grinder and following the plans for the jigs I found in the wiki from aroundthewoods.com.

Just wanted to see if there were more experienced folks here that may have a reason I should avoid the ryobi. I learned long ago to not just jump at something because it's cheap but given that I would build the mount and jig around this pretty exclusively to sharpen my lathe tools, it seemed like it could work.

Sorry for the long post but especially as a newcomer to this world, the amount of info available is overwhelming to say the least and some wisdom from people who know what they're doing would be much appreciated. I know a dull tool is a dangerous tool and I would like to get a sharpening setup going before I start doing pieces on nice wood blanks (so far I've just been using scrap pieces from around my garage that I'm sure are just shitty pine). Again thanks for any and all advice in advance, so glad I found this sub!

Top answer
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Most people would advise an 8" grinder because of the hollow grind issue on gouges, but also because you really want the additional width on the larger wheels. Trying to accurately grind a tool that's larger than 1/2" in width/diameter on a narrower 6" wheel can be challenging, at best. Low speed is preferred but not required - HSS tools are not subject to drawing the temper like old carbon steel tools, but even then, fast grinders remove steel faster, and cheap wheels tend to be coarse and very aggressive, so there's no sense wasting steel. Once you have a jig setup of some kind for repeatability, you'll only be skimming the tool on the wheel. You won't be removing a lot of steel unless you want to reshape your grind profile. If you're looking for a low-cost option, I think Grizzly probably has the most affordable option at about $130 shipped. It's practically identical to the popular Rikon 80-805 (probably comes from the same factory overseas), which means it's basically an out of the box solution. You don't have to upgrade the wheels to CBN unless you want to; the stock friable wheels will last a long time.
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I think slow grinders are recommended, not the fast bench grinders you get at big box stores. I went all carbide as a beginner since I just want to get going without learning sharpening and stuff - I realized the sharpening was going to take more time and money than the lathe itself. Edit: I also read posts about people buying $150 CBN wheels ! Noped out of the sharpening thing pretty quickly
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The Home Depot Canada
homedepot.ca › en › home › categories › tools › power-tools › grinders › bench-grinders › f › ryobi › osw-irt
RYOBI Bench Grinders(5 products)
Rental · Credit Services · For the Pro · Order Status · Customer Support · Gift Cards · Français · Shop by Department · Shop by Room · Ideas & How-to
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RYOBI Tools
ryobitools.com › products › 8" bench grinder
8" Bench Grinder
The Ryobi 8 in. Bench Grinder features adjustable tool rests, a 3-amp motor and a magnifying glass in the left safety shield for precision grinding. Thi...
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The Home Depot
homedepot.com › tools › power tools › grinders › bench grinders
RYOBI - Bench Grinders - The Home Depot
2.1 Amp 6” Grinder with LED lights
2.1 Amp 6” Grinder with LED lights
(4.3)
Price   US$79.00
Find elsewhere
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The Home Depot Canada
homedepot.ca › tools › power tools › grinders › bench grinders
RYOBI 2.1-Amp 6-inch Grinder with LED Lights | The Home Depot Canada
2.1-Amp 6-inch Grinder with LED Lights
RYOBI introduces the 2.1 Amp 6 -inch Grinder with LED Lights. Featuring a rugged 2.1 Amp induction motor, the RYOBI 6 -inch Bench Grinder utilizes an integrated LED work light to provide ideal illumination while you work. This grinder includes convenience features such as adjustable tool rests and magnifying glass eye shields. The heavy-gauge steel base helps to reduce vibration and improves stability during use, offering a workshop or garage-ready bench grinder. Backed by the RYOBI 3-Year Manufacturer's Warranty, the 2.1 Amp 6 -inch Grinder includes a 36 grit wheel, a 60 grit wheel, two spark
(4.3)
Price   $89.97
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Husky
heltontoolandhome.com › ryobi-bg612gsb-6in-bench-grinder
Ryobi BG612GSB 6in Bench Grinder
Ryobi BG612GSB 6in Bench Grinder
The Ryobi BG612GSB 6in bench grinder is equipped with a 2.1 - Amp induction motor and offers 3,600 RPM. This tool features LED lights that supply outstanding illumination over dim work areas. The BG612GSB has a heavy gauge steel base which reduces vibration and enhances tool strength during use. This bench grinder provides users' with adjustable spark shields and work rests, but also a 36 grit wheel and a 60 grit wheel. MPN: BG612GSB Brand: Ryobi Type: Bench Grinder
Price   US$68.95
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The Home Depot Canada
homedepot.ca › tools › power tools › grinders › bench grinders
RYOBI 6- Inch Bench Grinder | The Home Depot Canada
6- Inch Bench GrinderThe Ryobi 6-inch Bench Grinder features a 2.1 amp induction motor for dependable operation, a heavy gauge steel base that reduces vibration and improves stability, and adjustable work rests for improved wheel longevity and ...
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LumberJocks
lumberjocks.com › home › forums › reviews › grinders
Ryobi BG828G 8" Bench Grinder | LumberJocks Woodworking Forum
Ryobi - BG828G 8" Bench Grinder (Rating: 4) As with all Ryobi products, you pretty much have to start the review with "good tool, for the money." 3 amp motor which was plenty strong for sharpening chisels, lathe tools etc.
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Canadian Woodworking
forum.canadianwoodworking.com › home › tools › power tools
Ryobi bench grinder. - Canadian Woodworking and Home Improvement Forum
i hear you on the beaver grinders, there isnt one!! the ryobi will be ok, i use a cheapie chinese king, probably the same machine the lee valley wheel is a definet bonus but keep in mind that grinder wheels dont last long, well mines lasted a year now so all is relative, the white norton wheel from lv is my wheel of choice but i havent used any others except the normal cheapies for lawnmower type stuff the ryobo did come with a diamond wheel dresser, not essential, but nice to have 45 bucks? id be on my way to pick it up ... Location: Seguin, Ont. ... Re: Ryobi bench grinder.
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SlashGear
slashgear.com › 1577995 › ryobi-bench-grinder-six-inch-what-cost-everything-need-know-before-buy
Everything You Need To Know About Ryobi's Bench Grinder Before You Buy - SlashGear
May 10, 2024 - If you are already in the Ryobi ecosystem or want to start investing in Ryobi tools, the company has a 6-inch Bench Grinder available that will surely address all of your tool maintenance needs.
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The Home Shop Machinist
bbs.homeshopmachinist.net › forum › general
Ryobi Bench Grinder - The Home Shop Machinist & Machinist's Workshop Magazine's BBS
I've had a 6" Ryobi grinder for about 4 years now with out any problems. I'm sure there are better ones out there, but not for any less money. With a few addon mods like this http://homepage3.nifty.com/amigos/gr...ing_rest-e.htm I'm not sure the Ryobi was intended for a production type shop, but for the average home use it's OK.
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The Garage Journal
garagejournal.com › forums › the tools › general tool discussion
Ryobi Bench Grinder | The Garage Journal
November 4, 2019 - Probably fine for grinding, likely to bog down with medium or heavier wire wheeling. Are there any vintage grinders over there? To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW! ... I've got a 15ish year old 8" Ryobi. It runs nice and smooth and the cast tool rests are better than the sheet metal ones.
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The Home Depot
images.thdstatic.com › catalog › pdfImages › e5 › e57cff95-4155-4f96-aec7-a013ddad54be.pdf pdf
SAVE THIS MANUAL FOR FUTURE REFERENCE OPERATOR'S MANUAL BENCH GRINDER
Grinders remove material rapidly so pressure is the key to ... See Figure 8. Drill bits are best sharpened on a sharpening jig (available · at most hardware stores). Begin on one side of the point · at the existing angle, then twist the bit while maintaining · contact with the grinding surface. Sharpen only the tip. ... RYOBI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.