Coming from a trusted power tool brand, the DeWalt DW758 8-Inch Bench Grinder is a large-wheeled setup that has high speeds, making it ideal for smoothing blades such as those of a lawnmower and some cold chisels. If you’re looking for a powerful bench grinder, this is a good unit to add to your wish list.
However, to help you decide further, I reviewed the DeWalt DW758 below to give you its features, specs, pros, and cons.
DeWalt DW758 8-Inch Bench Grinder
This powerful bench grinder focuses on high-speed material removal made easy, thanks to the eye shields and the tool rests. If you want a grinder for sharpening most gardening tools then you will like this model.
Specifications
With 3,600-RPM from its 3/4-HP motor, this bench grinder sports 8-inch wheels on both sides. To enable longer grinding applications, there is a 12-1/2-inch distance between the wheels. The two wheels included have a 36- and 60-grit rating for coarse and medium material sharpening.
Weighing 39.5 pounds, it has a moderate amount of weight for decent stability. The motor is 4.2 amps while the tool spans at 16 inches from end to end, with a spindle diameter of 5/8 inch.
Quality
DeWalt backs this tool with a 3-year limited warranty and one year of free service. It also has a 90-day money-back guarantee. Included in the set along with the bench grinder and wheels are eye shields, spark deflectors, tool rests, and the user’s manual.
To make this tool last longer (so you don’t have to fuss about the warranty), it is made from industrial cast iron for its base and motor housing. This will keep it working efficiently for years of operation. Another plus point for added durability comes from the rear exhaust ports in the wheel guards, which keeps the spins running smoothly.
Usability
When it comes to convenient features, I like that its aluminum tool rests are adjustable to give you more accurate results with your sharpened material without sacrificing comfort. Because there is sufficient distance between the two wheels (and these wheels are also a larger size compared to 6-inch types), they will accommodate bigger materials to sharpen.
As mentioned above, the rear exhaust ports in the wheel guards keep the wheels operating smoothly. What’s more, the eye shields will help you to easily see the material you are sharpening without getting too close.
Should You Buy the DeWalt DW758 Bench Grinder?
Are you looking for a bench grinder to sharpen your lawnmower blades and gardening tools? The DeWalt DW758 is most likely for you. Aside from such blades, the wheels are also capable of sharpening cold chisels and similar tools that are not too delicate for a high-speed grinder.
If you are still unsure about your decision, go through the below list of the pros and cons of the tool.
Pros of the DeWalt DW758
Let’s start with the pros.
It removes material fast.
With 3,600-RPM, this grinder will remove material easily, sharpening your mower blades, cold chisels, and the like with ease. Compared to similar high-speed bench grinders with only 3,400 RPM, this unit takes it up a notch.
It has a durable cast iron base and housing.
Durability is a quality that we should all look for when it comes to any power tool – this model flaunts its durability in its base and housing. Stability is also important, and having a cast iron base will help keep your operation safe and sound.
The motor is quite powerful.
At 3/4 HP, it is far above those that are only 1/2 or 5/8 HP in terms of motor power, allowing for better operation and material removal on heavy-duty tools.
It has two adjustable tool rests.
No one likes to use a grinder without adjustable tool rests – they keep you comfortable and maintain precision when you’re working on your material. Since they are made of aluminum, they will be easy to manipulate while it reduces the chance of corrosion.
Cons of the DeWalt DW758
Even though the DeWalt DW758 is a great tool, there are a few cons worth noting as well.
It is only single speed.
This means it is not ideal for woodworking chisels and kitchen knives because those need a slower speed to work with.
It doesn’t have an LED work light.
Unfortunately, this bench grinder doesn’t come with a light to illuminate your workpiece.
What Are the Alternatives to the DeWalt DW758?
The DeWalt DW758 might appeal to most, but if it doesn’t to you, here are some 8-inch bench grinder alternatives that I would suggest:
The JET 577102 JBG-8A Bench Grinder is a unit made with enclosed ball bearings (lubricated) and is also coupled with dust vents, cast iron wheel guards, and adjustable spark guards. Like my DeWalt pick above, it also has a 5/8-inch spindle size.
The grits are also similar (36 and 60) on both wheels although the speed falls short at only 3,450 RPM. Nonetheless, this is also a good grinder for sharpening your lawn mower blades. If you simply want a similar bench grinder from a different brand, this is a unit for you.
If you prefer a machine with a work light, the WEN 4280 Bench Grinder (read my review) is for you. It also has variable speed (2,000 to 3,400 RPM) so it will work on more than just lawn mower blades but also chisels and other delicate tools like knives.
As for the grinding capability, it has an 80-grit wheel on the other side so it is much finer (as compared to DeWalt’s 60-grit). In terms of durability, it sports a sturdy cast iron base with mounting holes. Therefore, you will like this grinder if you prefer to work with different materials other than just gardening tools and if you also often work in the dark or dimly lit spaces.
Another variable-speed unit you might like is the Delta Power Tools 23-197 Bench Grinder. This one also has 36- and 60-grit wheels but the variable speed is from 2,000 to 3,400 RPM, making it ideal for both woodworking chisels and lawnmower blades.
A unique feature in this model is a water tray that keeps the material cool while grinding. Although we already know that this unit has a slower speed for handling chisels and knives, it might not be enough so the water tray is a plus point, especially if you want to sharpen very delicate and expensive tools.
Finally, you might also want to check my list of the best bench grinders on the market.
Summary
To summarize, the DeWalt DW758 is a good choice for sharpening your garden tools – especially lawn mower blades. However, since it is only a single-speed (and a fast one at that), it is not for delicate blades like those of a woodworking chisel or kitchen knife. Nonetheless, this will work well for simple material removal for your garage or workshop.