DiyAddict
Member
- Messages
- 72
- Location
- Forest of Dean, Glos, UK
For years I've wanted some sort of bench top surface grinder for my tiny shop. Of course, I know there's no such thing (at least within my budget) - surface grinding needs large, bulky castings with the stiffness required to maintain any accuracy.
Nonetheless, the subject of small surface grinders comes up on the forums from time to time and the Union Tool & Cutter Grinder by Harrison is often mentioned. Indeed, Harrison even supplied a small 'Surface Grinding Fixture' for it, which consisted of an Eclipse Minor magnetic chuck and a mounting plate.
I just want to grind the odd parallel, make some flat india stones, clean up some milled surfaces etc. I know I'm never going to get a mirror finish. Also, I do have a number of tools and cutters that could do with sharpening!
So a few weeks ago, I finally bit the bullet and acquired this one:
It seems to be the later Harrison model, with the flat front and no 'Union' decal. It came with a load of accessories, and seems to have been looked after. The spindle seems to run true, and I was hoping to put it to work straight away.
However, it has a lot of wear. Running a DTI over the table gives a variation of 3 thou over about four inches. Also, the Y axis is very stiff and has a lot of backlash - around 25 thou. I think the lead screw is bent as well as worn.
So the plan is to scrape it flat, make a new lead screw and nut, and deal with any other issues with the tools I have at hand. This won't be a full restoration - I've no intention of painting it (mainly because I hate painting and am rubbish at it). I know @Pete. already has an excellent restoration of his Union T & C Grinder on this site.
At the time of writing, I've already done quite a bit of this, but am far from finished.
Nonetheless, the subject of small surface grinders comes up on the forums from time to time and the Union Tool & Cutter Grinder by Harrison is often mentioned. Indeed, Harrison even supplied a small 'Surface Grinding Fixture' for it, which consisted of an Eclipse Minor magnetic chuck and a mounting plate.
I just want to grind the odd parallel, make some flat india stones, clean up some milled surfaces etc. I know I'm never going to get a mirror finish. Also, I do have a number of tools and cutters that could do with sharpening!
So a few weeks ago, I finally bit the bullet and acquired this one:
It seems to be the later Harrison model, with the flat front and no 'Union' decal. It came with a load of accessories, and seems to have been looked after. The spindle seems to run true, and I was hoping to put it to work straight away.
However, it has a lot of wear. Running a DTI over the table gives a variation of 3 thou over about four inches. Also, the Y axis is very stiff and has a lot of backlash - around 25 thou. I think the lead screw is bent as well as worn.
So the plan is to scrape it flat, make a new lead screw and nut, and deal with any other issues with the tools I have at hand. This won't be a full restoration - I've no intention of painting it (mainly because I hate painting and am rubbish at it). I know @Pete. already has an excellent restoration of his Union T & C Grinder on this site.
At the time of writing, I've already done quite a bit of this, but am far from finished.