Harbor Freight 3 Inch Bench Grinder with Flex Shaft Setup and Use Demonstration

[@ronniesmith5907]

Picked mine up yesterday...25 miles away...super easy and quick to put together...didn't have the cordless Bauer i went for but this is a good little multi purpose tool for carving canes...works great! I ordered bits off Amazon for the Bauer and they fit this! Thanks for the video!

[@BilgemasterBill]

Thanks for taking the time to give us a good looksee at this little unit. I grabbed one just as an impulse buy YEARS ago at one of their Sidewalk Sales for well under $20, I think. I'm only now finally getting around to breaking it out if its box to finish up some smaller motorcycle bits and was looking for wisdom. So, thanks again!

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

thanks for subscribing!

[@Xmilker-zb8ig]

You said the dermal collects were too large and maybe could turn them down to fit. A better solution would be to ream out the hole on the flex shaft out to fit the dermal collects.@@snapwholeharborfreightreviews

[@1OFGODSOWN]

I’m wondering what did you expect for $50 or so? I just purchased one last week and it has a separate on and off switch and then the variable speed knob next to it.I use it to restore old knives and I just mounted it to one of my work benches today.It appears to work as it was designed so I have Zero complaints.I will pretty much be using the polishing wheel 90% of the time and I purchased (2) extra packages of the wheels.I will make future purchases of the buffing wheels from eBay since I can buy them in a package of several without the grinding wheel which I will rarely use.I didn’t expect the quality of a high dollar bench grinder and I’m Pleased with my $50 or so purchase.👍👏

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

I got exactly what I expected for $35, and I use this a lot, both the grinder and the polisher, and the variable speed is a great option - I don't need expensive tools, I just need tools that work, and HF tools meet my needs, I have to point out the negatives of the HF tools so people like you can watch the videos and make an informed decision about buying it or not, I buy all of my tools, no connection to HF at all, so I dont have to be nice about how their tools work, I tell the good and the bad - although I am a big time proponent of buying HF tools, a lot of videos cover how to fix problems with their tools and make them useful - thanks for subscribing!

[@Pyridox]

I use a flex shaft on my rotary tool. I had to remove the inner shaft and apply some better grease on it, they typically don't put enough grease (or good quality) and the shaft can bind and get very hot.

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

@Peter Ciallella - Thanks for the info, I found this is true for a lot of their tools - Thanks for Subscribing!

[@fredchevalier2333]

I know this is an old video but what kind of grease did/do you use on the cable? Mine snapped

[@Pyridox]

@@fredchevalier2333 I believe I used Lucas red grease.

[@Pyridox]

@@fredchevalier2333 I believe I used Lucas Red & Tacky grease

[@ronniesmith5907]

...im using a foot pedal off another hanging dremel type tool sold at HF so i don't have to keep turning it off

[@The1saturn]

just took mine out of the box, is what it is I do small gun work so it will do but I will buy a big one from LOWES or

[@riverspohn9375]

Hello my bench grinder doesnt work when i turn the dial i hear a quiet buzzing sound do you know how to fix this problem?

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

what type of grinder do you have? do the wheels spin freely? how old is the grinder, a grinder is very simple, I have videos that shows the way it goes together - this is the playlist - kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYPUc5SDjJ2ffJY - what happened right before the noise started? the obvious failures would be a bearing seizing (the wheels would not spin freely) the buzzing sound could be the motor trying to turn, but it can't turn, if you watch the videos, you'll see how the bearings are mounted in the case - please provide an update after you check it out - thanks for subscribing!

[@mRkel-tecSub]

The dremal part that connects to the grinder wheel the cable broke off do they sell a replacement cable

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

this grinder is sold under many brands, there are replacement part available - search for 1/8 inch (or 3.175 inch) flex shaft adapter - depending on the price, some of them are upgrades to the OEM part - check the detailed measurements to be sure the end that attaches to the grinder is the same size - thanks for subscribing!

[@mukeshparihar2161]

Very useful grinder machine

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

I like this grinder and use it alot - thanks for subscribing!

[@lcprivatepilot1969]

Is the shaft pretty well balanced, regardless of r.p.m.? Thanks!

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

Yes, no vibration on this one, works great - thanks for subscribing!

[@Jarhead1313]

I'm needing something to repair some tools in my garage for example my son has some rounded off 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 Hex drivers that he uses to work on his RC trucks , would this be a good buy for this purpose?

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

it will work for that, just use the highest speed and don't overheat the hex drivers, keep a pan of water to keep dunking the tool into - let me know who it works

[@Nc1k]

I need help I was using the rotary tool and I'm a crafter so I use it a lot and while I was using the rotary on my prop wepond it's like twisted up and after that I opened it and nothing looked broken is there any possible solution to this

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

the shaft works like a speedometer cable, so either the bend in the shaft is too tight an angle, or it needs lubed with grease, I'm betting on the angle of the shaft is causing it to bind, try stretching the shaft out straight and see if that helps, if it does, then that is probably the problem, although it might be kinked from bending the flex shaft too much - thanks for subscribing!

[@rolf9280]

The shafts on this grinder are about 3/8” in diameter. Good luck finding different 3” grinding wheels with that size center hole! Found a 3” diamond wheel to use to sharpen tungsten tig welding tips but the arbor is 1/2”. 🧐 Let me know if anyone finds a solution please. Thanks!

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

search amazon for '3 inch 3/8 arbor grinder wheel' there are several, I liked the 8pc 3 inch wheel - 3/8 arbor set - thanks for subscribing!

[@6atlantis]

Many overseas brands come with multiple size arbor adapters to fit the wheel.

[@BarbaraHSemchen]

My friend bought this just now (Jan 2022) at Harbor Freight (for $46.) He was replacing the slightly smaller HF Chicago grinder. The wheels wore out and he couldn't find replacements. HF has discontinued the Chicago 3" grinder with this one. QUESTION: This doesn't have any way to attach it to a bench, no holes, nothing. Don't you need to do that? My friend does, and asked me to find out.

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

I don't attach mine to the bench, but this grinder is so small, its never been a problem - if you feel it needs to be attached to the bench, a simple mount would not be hard to make - I might do a future video on that topic after I'm over covid - thanks for subscribing!

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

@moxee33 - you really need to buy the replacement wheels at HF, the way you broke those original wheels is dangerous - and never try to cut down a larger wheel to 3 inches, way to dangerous! good luck

[@frankg3072]

I can’t figure out how to remove the grinding stone. Does the grinder cover come off?

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

the end covers comes off, there are screws holding it on thanks for subscrbing!

[@brodybyrd6110]

quick question im looking to buy one at my local HF for polishing ive found wheels for it on amazon but im wondering where to buy polishing tips for the little rope grinder attachment? any ideas?

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

Harbor freight sell a several different sizes, they usually come in a bundle, 2 or 3 together - cone shape and traditional 2 to 3 inch wheels, they have bigger but too big for this handle - thanks for subscribing - I uses 2 inch wheels for polishing

[@rosi6144]

Nice review. Do they sell spare grinding wheels?

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

HF sells replacement wheels, you will find them on the their website - Thanks for subscribing!

[@DarkenShroud]

It almost looks like that will screw on a Dremel brand or maybe another flex shaft to improve quality?

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

I have not test to see if other brand's flex shaft are interchangeable - if you do try it, please leave a message here with results - kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3-we5SIZ7pmpdE - this video has more accessory options I did try kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6a7cp5matJpq6c - this video has a much better quality flex shaft

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

@DarkenShroud - Thanks for Subscribing!

[@johnkordish3546]

I have the same one but I don’t use it that much I will only use it if it’s Necessary

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

I use it on knives it about it for the big (3 inch) grinding wheels, I use the rotary tool for woodcarving about once a month, but I have other tools that I like better - thanks for subscribing!

[@diytypeofguy6502]

Can u get a replacement flex shaft?

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

call HF customer service, I know at one time they did sell the flex shaft separately - thanks for subscribing!

[@bigbadhag]

Just about any tools that come with grease in gearbox/ drive, it pays to scrape out factory grease and put in good stuff.

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

like this? kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2SWhKyPgcubg6M - thanks for subscribing!

[@colemahaney4208]

My HF is less than a mile from my home it is right next to Lowes

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

seems like HF is expanding at a fast rate, when I first started shopping at HF (25 years ago), they had 1 store in our state, now I have a store 2 miles away, and a 2nd store 10 miles away, and a 3rd one 15 miles away - odd but all are across from Lowes - today I'm driving 40 miles to the next closest to buy something that is out of stock in all three local ones, nice to have options - thanks for subscribing!

[@BlueSageness]

now that you have had this unit for some time, what are your thoughts about it? Another question: can the grinder wheels be replaced with polish/buffing wheels?

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

I think its a great tool and it is still working fine, I use more for polishing knives then as a grinder (Ihave an 8 inch grinder) - I add a different collet set to make it more versatile - kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3-we5SIZ7pmpdE - HF has another grinder that is very similar without the flex shaft, I have a video of using it as a buffer to let you know how it works - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXq5hpyJfpZmfZI so its easy to upgrade to a polisher - thanks for subscribing!

[@krustythecarhauler]

My flex shaft broke 1st time I used it

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

you should take is back to the store or contact customer service - I've used mine for dozens of hours carving and its worked great with no problems - can you give details on where/how the flex shaft broke? thanks for subscribing!

[@mRkel-tecSub]

Mine broke off at where it goes connected to the grinder part now I can’t use it

[@laurenporter852]

Ugh thank you for doing this video! The directions for this suck : )

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

Glad you found the video Helpful - Thanks for Subscribing!

[@mironhtu1]

I'll never buy a pair of Skechers ever again!

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

did the skechers not work with the grinder?

[@docfuzzpersonalcollection5927]

Maybe could be used for home and hobby-tiype projects. Remember these are not "heavy-duty" tools or commercial use tools. ...aka...ya' get what ya' pay for. We that KNOW tools for work and tools for hobby/play. You want Ryobi, DeWalt, etc. quit bitchin' and spend the bucks!

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

while I realize ryobi and dewalt are limited to hobby use and are not heavy duty, I still think a lot of people use them for commercial use and are happy with them - thanks for subscribing!

[@mattseymour8637]

@@snapwholeharborfreightreviews I use a lot of dewalt stuff for work and heavy duty stuff and they stand up well. Lots of professionals use them

[@snapwholeharborfreightreviews]

@@mattseymour8637 A lot of people treat the name brand on the tool as more important then the performance of the tools, nothing you can do to change that, thats why dewalt tools are yellow, so everyone can see them, reminds me of teen age girls and designer cloths - Thanks for subscribing!

[@mattseymour8637]

@@snapwholeharborfreightreviews that's a very good point and yes they do but I buy and use dewalt because I like the tools and work well and last well too. I don't care for fancy gimmicks but I try new tools and If I like them I stick with them. Not just, because lots of people have them but often that is a good sign of quality