- Joined
- Mar 26, 2018
- Messages
- 8,418
I used mine last week to reduce a small bushing by .006".( For one of the guys at work)For use in an indexer or spin fixture .
A spin indexer -5C and a surface grinder has lots of possibilities.
I used mine last week to reduce a small bushing by .006".( For one of the guys at work)For use in an indexer or spin fixture .
Interesting.
Automatic or manual.
400 lbs, 110v.
Perfect for a hobby machinist.
$3995
PSG 612 Surface Grinder
The Tormach PSG 612 Surface Grinder is an economical solution to automate repetitive surface grinding tasks featuring 4 selectable grinding patters.tormach.com
Don't know much about these, but I was looking at the one from Grizzly which is the same size, and a grand less...Seems a bit steep, but worth it - should scratch the itch and teach me a lot. Looks like that's what i'll dive into.
The tormach just seems a little better done - but who knows. I'll pick up the tormach and document my journey with it here.Don't know much about these, but I was looking at the one from Grizzly which is the same size, and a grand less...
https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-6-x-12-surface-grinder-w-stand/g5963
I'm almost certain the same Chinese manufacturer/foundry is making the castings for Central Machinery, Grizzly, Tormach, and others.
I have a central machinery (CM) grinder that I completely scraped in. It will maintain a tenth of flatness within the 6 x 12 grind area. So I know the machine quite well. The quality of the different brands of machines will depend on what the machine brand ordered from the Chinese manufacturer as far as tolerances and quality. Quality, ie, tolerances can be improved by the brand when received by the Chinese manufacturer. Post quality inspection and improvements. Central machinery is at the bottom of this range. Not sure about Grizzly. Since Tormach is accentually adding on their stepper drive and HMI package to the manual grinder, I would hope they purchase higher quality and inspect every machine from china.
One draw back from the CM and Grizzly machines is the ability to lock the X axis traverse table. If you use an indexer it will be needed.
You will be limited to 0.002" max depth of grind per pass. And that's pushing it. Grinding large flat/long pieces will be tedious and time consuming so an automatic machine like the Tormach will save you a tremendous amount of time that you can utilize doing other things. Especially if you producing a product to sell and grinding on a daily basis.
Also, the manual machines have a 30-40 lb cast iron counter weight inside the vertical casting post. This is attached to the Y axis vertical slide to off set the spindle motor weight and make it easier to raise up. When I finished scraped my machine, I no longer needed the counter weight! So I assume the weight was making up for poor tolerance fitting dovetail slides. Just my 2 cents.
Their perpendicularity and parallelism could be better IMO, roughly 0.002" in 4"They do come with an inspection sheet and tolerances (let me find the link), it seemed like a thorough enough process for what I'm going to be doing. It seems like besides the motors, the grizzly might be close in quality. What's unfortunate is the ability to buy something more robust, new, that doesn't cost 2 to 3 times the amount (unless you're in the used market - which requires skills above my current level, well beyond my current level, to determine if the juice is worth the squeeze)....