Best Dry Grinder for the BGM-100

[Richard D]

I'm ordering the BGM-100, and also happen to need a new dry grinder. I would like to choose a good one for shaping tools using the BGM-100 and then sharpening on the Tormek T-7.  Here are the questions that come to mind:

Wheel Diameter?  I'm guesing that a 10" wheel would match the Tormek hollow grind.

Wheel Width? Again, it seems that matching the wide Tormek wheel width would produce a shape that should transfer almost perfectly to the Tormek.

Grinder Speed? Probably lower speed, 1725 rpm?  Variable speed from 500-1725 rpm might be useful?

Who makes one? I looked around, and found a few 10" fixed speed grinders.  I didn't find any with a wide wheel.  Is there a safety or other reason for this?

I would appreciate other thoughts on the grinder choice?

Thanks,
Richard

[Jeff Farris]

You just can't turn a wheel that big that fast without a serious frame and even more serious guards.

The differential between an 8" wheel and a 10" wheel is pretty slight when you move from one to the next.  I recently demonstrated the BGM-100, using Woodcraft's private label 8" 1725rpm grinder.  It amazed me how perfect the fit was when moving to the Tormek when I used the TTS-100 on both. 

Top of the line would be a Baldor 4-pole (1725 rpm) 8" grinder.  The Woodcraft grinder is pretty darn good for what it costs, and comes with much better than average grindstones -- something even the Baldor can't say.

[Richard D]

Jeff,

Thanks for answering all my questions so quickly - it really helped.

Richard

[Richard D]

I built the platform for mountning the BGM-100 on my 8" dry grinder.  I then used the SVS-50 jig to shape and sharpen a 3/8" skew with a curved profile. I sharpened it almost to completion, but spent minimal time on the cutting edge to avoid any chance of overheating. I then took the skew directly to the Tormek T-7 and was delighted to discover that I had a perfect edge in only a minute or two. This will now be my standard approach with any tool has not already been sharpened on the Tormek.  Thanks for a great new product addition.