Customer Reviews

Wilton 17202 8-Inch Bench Grinder

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Replaced a Delta 8" grinder with this. The Delta made so much noise (with trued wheels) that I had to wear hearing protection with it. Was looking at the much more expensive Jet, but decided to try this.

This grinder shows a very high level of care in both fit and finish and in attention to design details. First, it came out of the box nearly ready to run. Second, it ran perfectly. Third, it makes almost no noise, even using the wheels from the Delta unit. Fourth, it has a ton of small details that make using it a pleasure, including finger nuts on all work support and eye shield adjustments, a built-in star wheel with storage for the allen wrench needed to remove the grinding wheel covers, a built-in water and oil dip cup, and cast work rests that are actually square with the wheels.

The scant description on Amazon and on the Wilton site does this product a disservice--almost none of the features I mentioned above are listed. If you are interested in this, go to the Wilton site and get the manual. Note that there are two versions of this, and some of the goodies I mentioned aren't included in the less expensive model. However, the price on this unit compares very favorably with the Jet 8".

I haven't been truly delighted with a tool I've purchased in a lot of years--most seem to be cost reduced to near non-functional status or have such poor fit and finish or quality they become a project unto themselves. This grinder was sharpening lathe toolbits about 10 minutes after I opened the box.

Highly, highly recommended.

First, the product title provided by Amazon is incorrect - it is a 7.7 amp grinder. As such, it is very capably powered and well constructed. Good heft and feel - iron tool rests (not stamped steel) stone dresser, and best of all, a powerful, smooth-running motor that spins all day without overheating or vibration issues. I purchsed this machine as an economical alternative to a Baldor buffing machine and even with the additional cost of shaft extenders it is less than one third the cost of a comparably powered Baldor. Time will tell how durable it is but I have already put many hours of use on it and it has performed flawlessly. I have it on a rolling cart in my garage and it is not permanently mounted- yet it stays put through hours of operation due to its weight and vibration-free motor. I did a lot of research before purchasing this unit and nothing else can come close for quality and price. A great power tool that shows tremendous attention to external detail. I suspect the same quality applies to the motor as well and expect it to probably be the last buffer I will ever buy.

This grinder is everything the previous reviewer mentioned. I ditto everything he said. This is the bargain of the year as far as I am concerned! What a great price. Only one small complaint and that is that the little bulb doesn't put much light on your work.

The Wilton 17202 is a fantastic, high quality machine. Don't let the few negative comments in other reviews sway you away from this bench grinder. Yes, the light is a little dim, so what. Yes, there may me a slight vibration that you can adjust for, so what (I can barely detect a vibration in mine). Some people had washers installed backwards, so turn them around. This grinder gets up to speed quickly and takes a LONG time to come to a complete stop (I think this is a mark of quality).

I narrowed my choices down to this model and the 8" DeWALT. I'm VERY glad I purchased the Wilton. The Wilton costs a little more (roughly $155 compared to $123) BUT, it's more than worth it - here's why:

The Wilton is extremely easy to change the grinding wheels on, the DeWALT is very cumbersome to change the wheels on.

The Wilton has permanently lubricated bearings, the DeWALT needs to have the bearings periodically lubricated by a service center (an ongoing expense to keep the DeWALT running properly).

The Wilton has a much more powerful motor, (7.7 amps for the Wilton compared to 4 amps for the DeWALT).

The Wilton includes a wheel dressing tool, the DeWALT doesn't. Purchasing a dressing tool will cost about $20.00.

Wilton and JET are part of the same company. JET makes even higher quality bench grinders (for a lot more money), and they most likely share technology. Not sure if the Wilton is a re-badged JET with some changes - I'm speculating here, but I wouldn't be surprised.

The Wilton has thumb screws that make it easy to adjust the tool rest distance, tool rest angle (on the 17202), and eye guards. I don't believe the DeWALT has thumb screws.

After factoring in all of these items, the Wilton comes out on top.

The sound of the Wilton is great. It sounds extremely powerful, yet quiet and smooth running (you need to hear it to fully appreciate this). It was also well packed in the factory styrofoam inside the factory box. If there is any damage upon arrival, it is most likely due to severe mis-handling by the shipper. I'm extremely happy with this purchase. Be extremely careful if you ever need to remove the plastic light shield to change the light bulb as the plastic housing is flimsy and can break easily (this may have happened to the other reviewers). You need to line up two marks on the light housing to remove the shield without breaking it. The instructions aren't very good about explaining this, but if you study the light housing in A LOT of detail, you will see the marks.

Get the 17202, not the 17205. The 17205, while it is less expensive, doesn't have the oil/water tray, the dressing tool, and the angle adjustable tool rests (this angle adjustment feature alone makes the 17202 worth the price difference). From the picture of the 17205, it doesn't appear to have the thumb screws on the adjustable tool rest, and it doesn't appear that the tool rest is made from an aluminum billet like the 17202 (looks like stamped metal instead).

Also, looking at the grinder from the side shows the 8" grinding wheel (when it is new) clearing the motor housing by about 1 inch. Just wanted to include this information in case anyone is concerned about clearance.

I'm writing this review because I wish I read something like this from other reviewers so I wouldn't have been apprehensive about this purchase. Don't worry, about the few negative reviews - you won't be disappointed in this bench grinder. It's GREAT!

Very nice. I was suprised at how well it seemed to be built, when I received it. We have had it a while now and its very good. It has plenty of power, its fairly big, well put together, comes with a light that is just enough, and adjustable to where your working. It has a wheel dressing tool that helps once you have worn the wheels. Another nice feature is the rubber mounts under the small stand. You can bolt it to a portable stand or bench, due to the weight of the unit and the rubber mounts I use it and then just move it out of the way. I don't have it bolted. My last grinder needed to be mounted because of its light weight and no traction. Also it has two compartments in the front that are great for puting some water in' to cool small object.

The Wilton 17202 6 Amp 8-Inch Bench Grinder is one mighty fine machine. Does the job and does it well. I couldn't have picked a better table to attache this great grinder to than the HTC HGP-10 Bench Grinder Stand. Simply put - if you have an ax to grind, or anything else for that matter, this will definitely take care of it! ~ The Boss

I bought this grinder as a result of the glowing review by the first critic. Unfortunately, mine did not run smoothly like his. The stones on mine do wobble side-to-side, and the light is weak and works intermittently. Fortunately I just use mine to sharpen drills, knives, and de-burr and clean up dirty metal pieces with the wire brush wheel. Other than the two defects mentioned above, I like the machine for the bulk and power, and the sturdy machined tool rests. You get your money's worth with Amazon on this, due to the free shipping. Mine came the day after Amazon shipped and they shipped about four days after I bought it. It is "Made in China" to the specifications of WMH (Walter Meier Holding Co.). I would much prefer this grinder to one of those gutless cheaply-made ones on eBay and Harbor Freight Tool or any really cheap model. As soon as I figure how to stop the vibration and the wobble, I will buy one for my brother-in-law. I have owned a textile weaving company, a chemical manufacturing company, a footwear manufacturing company, and a chair making factory. I have bought many tools and grinders in my lifetime and I like this one for the power. A grinder that slows down or stops while you are working with it is not good enough for me. I can deal with adjustments like wobbles but a grinder must, must, have power, and this one has it.

I have not had this item for long, so I can't give an extensive review, but one thing that has been disappointing is the lack of quality of the light. I know that other reviews made note of the poor light level, but I am talking about the terrible quality of the construction of the light. The grinder that I ordered came in with a broken light housing because it is made of the flimsiest plastic you can find, and it joins to the gooseneck with about a 3/8" of an inch wide piece of plastic. If the grinder doesn't come shipped to you with a broken light, I suspect it will not take too long for it to break during use. How much more would it have cost to manufacture this with a metal light housing?? I called Amazon to get a replacement housing for the light and they inexplicably shipped me an entire 55 lb grinder for a 1 ounce light housing?!? The replacement grinder arrived with another broken plastic light housing, and I was responsible to ship the stupid thing back at a cost of [...] It remains to be seen if I can get reimbursed for the shipping from Amazon. I know that a plastic light housing is a small thing to complain about, but it makes me wonder what other things they cut corners on that I cannot see so readily. I honestly believe that my 4 year old son could design a better light housing than this.

I spent a better part of an evening reading everything I could before selecting this grinder.

I am very pleased, grinder is well built exceeding my expectations, tool guides are machined aluminum and plenty sturdy with friendly sized knobs for adjustment. Unit comes with a spare set of shields with the same user friendly knobs. Includes wheel dresser and allen wrench both which have a secure home on top of the motor. Guards are off with 5 readily accessed allen screws for wheel change out. Unit has more than enough power for any home garage or work shop.

For the money - I would not consider either the small light or the small quench tanks anything but gravy. Both are more than anything else you will find out there for $125 including prime shipping (over 55 lbs).

Only question you should have is do you really need the 8" or should you save even more for the Wilton 6"

I am very pleased with this grinder. It is well built with a powerful motor and more than capable of handling any job that the average homeowner would encounter.