Quick Overview
FEATURES
QUALITY
PRICE
Pros
- 2 year warranty
- Stable and durable
- Powerful
- Easy to adjust
Cons
- No lights
- Not portable
For many newbies, sometimes it’s not enough to start off with entry-level power tools. That’s because they’re often limited in their uses, they tend to break more easily, and you just can’t use them for too long.
That’s why quite a few experts in the field recommend that you get a bench grinder that costs within the $200 to $300 range. That should be good enough for your needs if you’re a DIY enthusiast. However, “good enough” doesn’t quite describe the JET 577102 JBG-8A 8-Inch Bench Grinder.
What to Consider When Purchasing a Bench Grinder
Sometimes it is best to spend a little bit more for your bench grinder so you can make sure to have a quality piece of machinery at your disposal. With that slightly higher price point, you should also have access to a heavier and sturdier build, a higher or adjustable RPM, and even more torque.
The size of the grinder, its speed, and its torque are three of the most important factors to consider alongside your budget. Many people already have a pretty specialized and specific need for their shop bench grinder, but others are more on the lookout for a versatile tool.
Powerful variable speed control bench grinders that are a bit larger will be much more practical and can be used for a variety of applications. It can also withstand a lot of force and can stand up to the demands of heavy duty grinding.
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Features of the JET 577102 JBG-8A 8-Inch Bench Grinder
- First of all, this is rated for heavy-duty operations. It comes with a 1-HP (8-amp) motor, which is about twice as powerful as most of the affordable entry-level hobbyist-grade grinding machines.
- This comes with a single speed of 3450 RPM. That’s more than enough for most types of DIY grinding tasks, especially with 8-inch wheels.
- You actually have two of these 8-inch wheels, with 36-grit and 60-grit options. They’re both an inch wide. The medium grit works quickly to grind away your rough edges while the fine grit is for more delicate tasks.
- This is a hefty machine with a side-to-side measurement of 19 inches. It is 10 inches deep and 12.5 inches high. It weighs about 58 pounds, so it’s not really all that easy to move around.
- It comes with a really heavy base
- This is virtually made with all-metal materials. The wheel guards are made of cast iron too. What’s more, it features ports for a dust collector
- What really ensures the smooth operation of this bench grinder is that it also has pre-lubricated ball bearings that are totally enclosed. These keep the spindle rotating smoothly as heck
- The spark guards and eye shields are also substantially large, and also easy and quick to adjust
- As a bonus feature, the toggle on/off switch has guard shields on the side, so you don’t accidentally toggle the switch as you work or as you replace the wheels
- It comes with a two-year warranty
Pros:
- It’s great that it has a two-year warranty, but the truth is that it’s so solidly built that it feels like it will just run forever. Its design is so simple and basic that there’s very little that can go wrong with it. It runs very smoothly, and you can hardly feel the vibrations.
- This will work all day long if you want
- As it is quite heavy, there’s not much chance that the vibrations will cause the machine to walk off your worktable. It even has a rubber foot to keep it in place. But if you want, it’s possible for you to bolt down the machine onto your work stand to really ensure the stability.
- The power is certainly something, especially if you’ve tried out the comparatively puny half-horsepower motors in other bench grinders. With this, you can work with your metal workpiece and not worry about pressing on the wheel too much. It will rotate at its 3450-RPM rate even if you put in a bit of force when you press down.
- The spark guards are easy enough to adjust so that you can keep the sparks from hitting your face. They’re very large, as well. Of course, it still means you need to wear those safety goggles just to be safe.
Cons:
- The JET 577102 JBG-8A 8-Inch Bench Grinder employs a classic and proven design, but if there’s one thing wrong with such a classic it’s that there aren’t any lights. Yes, it’s true that you should really set up your workshop for adequate lighting to begin with. But this is a convenience that’s almost automatic for newer models. It can be annoying when you don’t see one.
- It’s big and heavy, too, although the size and weight aren’t really problems per se. It’s just that this design is clearly not for any portable application. It’s a shame that you can’t easily bring this over to your friend’s house so you can help them out, and brag about your industrial-grade bench grinder, too.
Summary
This isn’t really a hobbyist-grade machine. It’s really more of an industrial-grade model, but with a hobbyist-grade price.
The machine overall weighs approximately 21 pounds and is powered by an electric cord. However, it allows for quiet operation and comes pre-lubricated with cast iron wheel guards and dust vents.
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Check The Top 10 Bench Grinders In The Market Right Now
What you have to realize about the JET 577102 JBG-8A 8-Inch Bench Grinder is that it’s a solid piece of work. It’s as if nothing can go wrong with it, so durability isn’t a problem at all.
In fact, with this, you can do a much heavier workload than you were able to do with your run-of-the-mill entry-level grinder. This will offer you very quick work and reliable results, and you can depend on it on an everyday basis.
With its exceptional motor and 8-inch wheels, you’ll never again be satisfied with 6-inch wheels and a puny motor for your DIY projects. Those models are for those who just want to sharpen cutting tools occasionally. For more serious DIY enthusiasts, the JET 577102 JBG-8A 8-Inch Bench Grinder is the one to buy—seriously.
Bench Grinder FAQ
What is a good way to get the correct angle using a bench grinder?Several bench grinders, including the Jet 577102, come equipped with tool rests and some are adjustable so they can be easily angled with a clamp on the opposite side.
What kind of maintenance does a grinder require?You want to show the same level of care and maintenance for your grinder that you show for your other tools and power tools. Wheel dressing, however, is one special requirement you don’t want to overlook because proper wheel dressing can reduce any wobbling.
Are there safety issues to watch for when using a bench grinder?As with any power tool, you want to make sure to use the right protective gear including eye shields like goggles to help prevent any flying debris from getting into your eyes. If you see sparks when using your bench grinder, then this is a warning that the tool edge is getting too thin and you need to watch carefully for a breaking point.
Do you want to work faster with a bench grinder?Faster isn’t always better. Sometimes, you will find that working much slower is actually the way to go – even when using your powerful bench grinder. This is especially true if you are using your bench grinder to sharpen knives or other delicate tools, so you don’t experience any overheating problems.
