Best grinder for use in UK

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Hi all, I've been browsing the internet trying to find a small bench top grinder for modifying/making orthotics/insoles etc as I'm not too keen on paying over £1500 from some of our specialist retailers for some thing that will get occasional use!

Not sure if I'm limiting my choices by looking for a sanding belt type but there doesn't seem to be many sanding drum attachments out there .Have tried searching the forum but can't find anything relating to this country.

If any one has found something in the UK I'd appreciate a bit of guidance especially as to which way the wheels/belts/discs turn on models, my diy skills are limited in this area!

Cheers

David

pourqoi moi?

 

Try Screwfix who do a large foam sanding drum (I think they're about 6" diameter and maybe 3" wide) here: http://www.screwfix.com/p/flexi-dri...Sanding Drum&gclid=CPyJnuKooK4CFUcTfAodMwRp6Q which you can attach to a drill placed in a drill clamp / stand http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-universal-drill-clamp-prod21094/?src=froogle . Also look at the Clarke wordworker range available at MachineMart- belt and disc sander, band saws etc.. You'll also need some dust extraction- again both of these companies sell these- alternatively use a vacuum cleaner and some gaffer tape if your budget is very small Also look on ebay!

 

If you get a standard bench top grinder and take of the guard and one of the grind stones you will probably find it accepts a replacement drill chuck (I think it's a 10mm thread from memory) you can then put the foam sanding drum that Simon mentioned into this.

Mould some plastic for the dust extractor outlet and you're there. Total cost less than £100. For everything else there's mastercard

I quite like having the flatbed/linisher style as well though- useful alternative.

 

For posting you need a flat bed, but for "edging" the shell I find you need a drum. :drinks

 

Agreed- better to have both if possible.

Next project is a vacuum bed for my router. Can't get round the cost of a good vacuum pump at the moment but the rest should be peanuts :drinks

 

Try to find some people with dead vacuum autoclaves- used a pump out of one for my vacuum former.:drinks

 

Hi all, I've been browsing the internet trying to find a small bench top grinder for modifying/making orthotics/insoles etc as I'm not too keen on paying over £1500 from some of our specialist retailers for some thing that will get occasional use!

- - - - - - -

I suggest you look at the USA-made Sani Grinder available from Canonbury in the UK at http://www.canonbury.com/p-617-sani-grinder.aspx This is an attractive and quiet table-top device with an integrated vacuum and dust bag. It's all-in-one and I've had one at my clinic for the past 6+ years without any problems. I can recommend it. Canonbury can supply spare abrasive collars, though I've never yet needed to swap it over. The unit is ideal for the manufacture of small quantities of custom insoles from EVA, Poron, PPT and top-cover materials, or adjusting OTC devices. It will also grind thermosplastics and harder materials. It is just perfect for podiatry, if you don't want a much larger and noisier floor-standing model.

Regards
Gary Denby at www.footwisepodiatry.co.uk

 

the sanigrinder is great if a little pricey, sidas uk http://www.sidas.co.uk do a few options from about £300 up to the monster G5 which we have in our workshop, the G1 doesn't have an extractor but i am sure a hood could be set up to deal with that for very little extra

 

I purchased two Sani-Grinders 26 years ago for my two practices. One of these machines has been subjected to nearly daily use for the past 26 years in my office grinding orthotics, modifying shoe soles, sharpening scissors, etc. It is extremely reliable, durable, relatively clean, relatively quiet and compact so that I actually keep it in the same room that I treat patients in. Other than needing to tape up the vacuum hose, this grinder has not needed any servicing.

After I went to just practicing in one office about 20 years ago, I brought my second Sani-Grinder to my home garage where I use it as a general purpose grinder for wood and metal projects, sharpening tools, etc. These grinders are probably the best purchases I ever made for my type of practice where I dispense 80+ pairs of foot orthoses a month. I honestly don't know how a podiatrist could dispense foot orthoses without access to such a machine. I highly recommend the Sani-Grinder....it will probably outlast me!

 

Hi,

Would agree with Gary and Kevin.

You won't go wrong with a sanigrinder and it will fall well within your £1500 budget.

All the best,

Neil

 

If you wanted a cheaper grinder I have one of these, opposite end of the budget.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/p...-grinder-with-sander?da=1&TC=SRC-belt grinder (thanks Robert I)

with some small modifications to the guards, it serves me well.

Nick

 

This was a Makita grinder with a pneumatic drum. More power than the sani-grinders and only costs about $400. Add to that a small 1hp dust extractor and you are set. Slightly bigger than the sani-grinder so if you have it in the room like Kevin than the sani-grinder might be better.

 

thanks to everyone for their replies, have tried to do fancy things like quoting messages/thanks etc in my response but hasn't quite worked!!

One of the problems I've found is knowing what 'modifications' can be made without getting my hands on one to gain access/clearance, especially on flat bed/linisher types, and even knowing what direction the belts/drums turn as I've only ever used anti clockwise which I feel gives better control?

I think Ian and Nick have hit it on the head with having the option of drum and flat bed, not having it in clinic room so can deal with a bit of noise and a good old 'enry can deal with the dust.

Think I'll go with the cheaper option first and if it's not suitable at least the garage gets a new tool!!

cheers again

David

pourqoi moi?