Performance Tool W50058 3/4 HP Motor 8-Inch Bench Grinder

Got this from Amazon.com. Wow, this worked wonderfully -- right out of the box: No vibration, powerful motor (5 amps), smooth operation when using it, and it seems to have some reasonably strong components! After its first use, just to check its operation, I then replaced the wheels. My suggestion is to replace the grinding wheels, which are just average quality (most <$200 bench grinders have average to low quality wheels that come with it). For example, I actually bought thinner wheels (3/4" thick) made by SAIT/United Abrasives for replacements. For fast-spinning bench grinding tools, I only use high-quality components, in this case the 3/4"-thick 8-inch wheels by SAIT on this tool, which adds an extra safety/durability measure that I want to have. BTW, to mount the thinner wheels, I had to buy eight 5/8''-holed machined washers to get the spacing correct for each wheel with four washers on each side. So I'm very happy with this purchase (<$60), and I have the original grinding wheels too as backups.

Very weak, takes some time to get up to speed. And hardly nothing to stop it. Both wheels were out of balance. And loose

A little noisier than expected, but other than that a good buy.

Lets start with the BAD The grinder arrived with loose and some missing hardware in the box. The packing is not up to specs for something of this weight. The clear plastic and aluminum shields were bent and the clear plastic scratched and cracked at the screw hole. One tool rest was bent and had a manufacturing defect. The GOOD... the wheels and motor were intact and in good condition. The motor and assembly appear to be well made, it spins up, and works as advertised. Now the UGLY, the tool rests and pretty much everything attached to the motor assembly is junk. The tool rests are made from 2mm stamped sheet metal. You can flex it with a finger. One tool rest was damaged during the stamping process and required extensive straightening and shaping to make it useable. Three of the threaded holes for installing the tools rests onto the wheel shields were misaligned and had burrs. I got the grinder assembled and attempted to use it, the tool holders would flex with anything other than light pressure. I ended up cannibalizing my old Craftsman's tool rests, which are 7mm and solid metal. Pictures provided. There are also misaligned threads on the face shield mounts as well as damaged bolts and screws. I don't recommend this grinder for anyone who is not willing or capable of extensive rework. Will update as required.UPDATE: One year in and the on/off switch stopped working. I was grinding a 5/8 nut to make it thinner and the grinder just powered down and stopped. I attempted to turn the power off but the switch was frozen open. The power switch is a generic rong feng two pole switch , so I ordered a replacement on ebay. One more failure and this POS is going to find a new home.

Hardware was not all there, had to run to hardware store for several nuts and bolts to install the safety shields properly.

It showed up damaged. Left side wheel broken and parts bent. After taking the bent parts off because I needed to use it right away the motor works.

Works well. I’m expecting a long service life believing it’s well built/balanced with great bearings given how long it takes to wind down after you turn it off.

Missing parts. Didn’t have the pieces to mount the tool rests in front of the wheels. Also poor packaging. I’m surprised it actually works. It was thrown in an extremely oversized box a microwave would have been comfortable in and as a result it shakes my entire bench. I’m gonna have to build a special table for the grinder alone. But it is quite powerful lawnmower blades and axes should be no problem.

I find the motor very slow to get up to speed. I have always used 6" grinders and have found them to get up to speed rather quickly.

Garbage. 3/4 horsepower? Not a chance. Takes 30 seconds to get spinning, has ZERO POWER when actually trying to grind something. Totally taken for a ride on this one. Company should be ashamed that they actually market this thing