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Theo Gillam on why he doesn’t need another bench grinder
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As a bona fide idiot, I’m constantly trying to find solutions to problems that don’t exist. Like building an angle-grinder stand for all the angle grinders I’ve accumulated or building a stupidly large wheeling machine as I thought it’d be useful to have the capability of wheeling up repair panels for a London bus. I have three bench grinders –
three. I also have a linisher (a bloody awkward linisher) along with other tools, particularly ones that are tough to handle. The most difficult things to pick up, hold on to, and move are bags of sand, someone else’s neonate, any type of cat and dead bodies. Oh, and Clarke’s woodworking belt sander. It’s a great tool; it just feels flimsy when I try to pick it up.
All my spinny abrasive tools work well but they live on the nearest flat surface to the place I last used them. The search for said tools the next time that I need them can add hours to an already annoying job. So the bench grinder stand was conceived.
I accumulated all types of steel whether useful or not; bought a Ford Mondeo rear hub and brake disc to add unnecessary complexity; before spending a couple of hours (or was it weeks?) cutting, grinding, drilling and welding. The ideal position for bench grinders and linishers is being bolted to a bench but, when you have four machines, there’s no room for anything else. With the stylish and effective rotary bench grinder stand this problem is eliminated: you can only use one tool at a time.
It’s a great solution to a non-problem. All I’ve done is cause another roadblock in my shed: walking from one side to the other requires planning, stealth and balance. A space-saving stand taking up space. I just hope someone doesn’t give me another bench grinder.
‘My tools live on the nearest flat surface’