Customer Reviews

DELTA GR450 ShopMaster 8-Inch Grinder

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

I've had this for about a year and it works pretty well for my hobbyist application. I wish it had a little more power when using the steel brush. I really like the variable speed when sharpening tools for wood turning. It helps prevent heat build up. The quick change feature and light are very useful also.

I recently added the GR450 to my shop and it has seen a lot of use. I didn't realize how badly I needed the grinder until I got it in the shop! I do a lot of turning and use the grinder many times during any given turning session. I've also used it to touch up our kitchen knives and to make a striking knife.

The unit comes with a 36 grit and 60 grit wheel. The 36 grit is for serious reshaping and probably won't see that much use in my shop (though I did use it for the striking knife). I bought a 100 grit Norton wheel and now have the unit set up with the 60/100 wheels, which is a useful combination. The quick change feature on the wheels makes change-outs a breeze.

My only complaint (and the reason for 4 and not 5 stars) is the wheels themselves. The 60 grit wheel that came with the unit was 2/32 - 3/32 out of true, causing the unit to vibrate unsatisfactorily. To Delta's credit, they immediatly sent me a replacement wheel when I called the customer service line. Even the Norton wheel I bought seems slightly out of true. Grinding wheels are cast, and apparently the quality control division industry-wide hasn't figured out how to keep them perfectly flat.

The GR450 comes with two holes in the base for fastening the unit to a bench top or grinder stand. I haven't done this yet, and I don't think it's essential, but I do think it would maximize the unit's performance.

One other comment. The tool rests fasten to the unit with conventional bolts, and the unit comes with a small wrench for these bolts that stores on the unit. Delta calls this a "quick adjust" feature. With three bolts on each tool rest, "quick" is not the term I'd use. At some point I'll probably pick up some wing knobs and change out the bolts for a tool-less change feature.

May 2009 UPDATE
After a couple of years (where does the time go?) using this grinder, I thought I'd add a couple of comments.

I have since built a stand for the grinder and did bolt the unit to the top of that (wood) stand. This didn't do much to reduce vibration, so I purchased a wheel balancing kit from Oneway. This kit definitely helped smooth out the vibrations, but certainly didn't eliminate them. I also have done away with the stock tool rests in favor of some after market products. The rests that come with these units are really the least that the manufacturers (not just Delta) can get away with--functional, but barely.

I'm still very happy with the grinder, still getting lots of use out of it.

The packaging was good as the box was unpacked. From there, it progressively got worse. The brackets to hold the clear shields on do not offer adequate fit. The bracket to hold the tool rest is finished for a left hand application. Once again fit & finish is not a concern at Delta. When I turned the machine on, It almost vibrated off the bench. I turned the variable speed up to see if it would make a difference and in doing so, it stayed on full throttle. The knob is totally inoperable and does nothing. The Wheels could not be trued using the supplied stone dresser. Looks like they will have to be replaced with better quality. Delta support line is closed tonight. Hopefully they will support this mess of a machine!!

This grinder shakes so bad it breaks the light bulbs in the lamp. It lacks power and is extremely noisy, even without the wheels on it still growls so loud you can hardly hear anything else. I wouldn't recommend this grinder to anyone.

I got this grinder at Lowe's because they were cheaper. I only got it because of the lower speed to sharpen lathe tools . It ran fine for about 10 min. on the slower speed then suddenly it started running at top speed. The speed control had no effect on it. I felt of the motor and it was so hot you couldn't leave your hand on it. I turned it off and waited till it cooled down and turned it back on. It only had the top speed . So I guess I just got a Lemon. I returned it to Lowes for a refund. Good luck if you buy this model.

No problem to set up, but it tends to vibrate a bit, either because the wheels are not balanced well or because they're out of round. Trying to solve the problem by using the diamond wheel dresser meets with limited success.

I got this grinder about a month ago. I've been fighting vibrations and wheel run-out problems ever since. I think I have it narrowed down to the inner flanges which are some very low quality stamped washers. The parts breakdown lists the same part number for both the outer and inner flanges. But the outer flange is a nice, machined piece of steel which is about 1/4-5/16" thick while the inner is this stamped peice of sheet metal....I think the problem is in that flange. Contacting Delta support has been impossible so far....will keep trying.

Seems to be very smooth and quiet and the built in light is very helpful as well.
there is a video review of this grinder on youtube check it out and see for yourself just how smooth this machine is.

I bought the GR450 as an "upgrade" to my 10 yr old generic (made in Taiwan) Woodcraft 8" slow speed grinder which runs quiet and vibration free. What a total waste. The first Gr450 sounded like a car engine ready to throw a rod. The 2nd one was quieter but the wheels simply will not run true. Here's the problem: the arbor is too small and does not provide enough shoulder to support the wheel flange - measured at only .045" difference in diameter. There's no way the stamped steel (i.e. uneven) flanges, and hence the wheels, will run true. The "tool-free" arbor nuts are a joke and cause further balance problems. What an engineering disaster. Likely caused by corporate cost cutting to save a few cents per unit (smaller bearings and less metal for the arbor).

One other thing: no dust port on the rear of the wheel housings?!?

I may try to machine a bushing to press on to the arbor to provide support to the flange and find some standard arbor nuts. Maybe not - I still have the Woodcraft grinder.

Despite two unfavorable customer reviews, and possibly because of the fine recommendation in recent Am Woodworker review, I bought the GR450 to replace a 6"Delta grinder. Just installed the GR450. Bolted it to maple bench top. No rattle, no vibration. Just hums away. Resharpened three turning gouges. Good results. Anyone want to buy a gently used Delta 6" bench grinder?