Tool Arm size?

Tool Arm size?

  • Total voters
    17
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KenH

Well-Known Member
Hello All - got a question, what is the preferred tool arm size? I know there's one top end grinder using 1.25" for the tool arm, but it seems like most are using 1.5" tool arms. I just found another vendor (https://www.ebay.com/itm/152758651156?) using 1.6" saying the choice was made because 1.6" is stiffer.

What size tool arm do ya'll prefer? Myself, I like 1.5" because it's a standard size I can order from most any metal supplier.

Ken H>
 
My vote is for 1.5" STEEL. Although I have used, and still have a single aluminum tooling arm in the shop. It's purpose is very specific. The primary reason I dislike that specific grinder with the 1.25" tooling arm is two fold..... it's aluminum, and I have seen too many others "tweak" that tooling arm beyond use when accidentally dropped. The widest array of things being produced for grinders these days is intended for 1.5" tooling arms...... only makes sense to utilize that size...... it also makes it much more convenient when you're building your own attachments.
 
I agree with Ed here - except I do like aluminum tooling arms for hobby use. They don't get marked up that much and are easier to handle because they're not heavy. For full time use, I expect steel might well be better, but since I'm not full time, only light duty hobby - hard for me to comment on that part, so I'll bow to Ed for that one. After all - he does have the experience.

So, come on folks - vote even if you don't post. The vendor and I have exchanged a couple of emails today with me preferring 1.5". He felt folks buying would prefer the 1.6" because it's "more rigid". I told him I'd open a poll and go by the results..... even if it wouldn't change my preference;)
 
I have both an aluminum and steel in 1.5" I only use the aluminum arm when I use the 1" grinding wheel.
 
I'm with you guys. 1.5" for me. I make my own tool arms and attachments so I need the standard size. Besides, I don't think 1.6" adds enough rigidity to warrant the hassle. Sounds more like a vendor trying to vendor trying to sell a product on only one aspect of a grinder to me.
 
The 1.6 tooling arm doesn't make much sense to me. Material would be hard to source, and most likely you would have to machine new tooling arms to size. That platen doesn't look very user friendly. The large radius from bending plate on a press brake would make decent plunge lines impossible.
 
The 1.6 tooling arm doesn't make much sense to me.
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That was my thought too! When I first saw that size mentioned, my mind went straight to the producer trying to do something "proprietary".... trying to make sure that people would have to buy from them to get a new tooling arm. :)
 
In my limited experience the 1.5 seems to be the most common. I've read posts of people that had 1.25 and complain about flexing. Most common makes most sense to me for buying or making tooling down the road.
 
I put in a vote for 1.25....my TW-90 has 1.25. it's all i know..and it's ALUMINUM...lol. the rigidity of solid Al vs hollow steel is probably very debatable...(please tell me your 1.5 is tubing in steel so I don't think yer all gluttons for punishment lol). As for dropping I am on a raised wooden foundation with old linoleum tile....nothing I ever drop gets hurt..except the floor when me and the buffing wheel disagree on methodology...
 
KenH said:
I agree with Ed here - except I do like aluminum tooling arms for hobby use. They don't get marked up that much and are easier to handle because they're not heavy. For full time use, I expect steel might well be better, but since I'm not full time, only light duty hobby - hard for me to comment on that part, so I'll bow to Ed for that one. After all - he does have the experience.

So, come on folks - vote even if you don't post. The vendor and I have exchanged a couple of emails today with me preferring 1.5". He felt folks buying would prefer the 1.6" because it's "more rigid". I told him I'd open a poll and go by the results..... even if it wouldn't change my preference;)
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Why not 2.0"...where does it stop...I mean who here had done the math on modulus of elasticity of the various materials/sizes under the heaviest load on the toughest steel with the coarsest grit...o_O
 
Smallshop said:
I put in a vote for 1.25....my TW-90 has 1.25. it's all i know..and it's ALUMINUM...lol. the rigidity of solid Al vs hollow steel is probably very debatable...(please tell me your 1.5 is tubing in steel so I don't think yer all gluttons for punishment lol). As for dropping I am on a raised wooden foundation with old linoleum tile....nothing I ever drop gets hurt..except the floor when me and the buffing wheel disagree on methodology...
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I have a TW-90 too and it's all I know or have experience with. I've never had an issue with it.

However, it seems that 1.5" has become the standard size so I've thought about switching/adapting my TW-90 over to use that size. I think I may be able to do it but it won't be easy and I don't have it all figured out just yet. We'll see.
 
Sleestack said:
I have a TW-90 too and it's all I know or have experience with. I've never had an issue with it.

However, it seems that 1.5" has become the standard size so I've thought about switching/adapting my TW-90 over to use that size. I think I may be able to do it but it won't be easy and I don't have it all figured out just yet. We'll see.
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Why?LOL..you can buy 1 1/4 steel box tubing and 1 1/4 Aluminum bar stock all day long....It would most likely be much easier to adapt an attachment you need than cluge a nice grinder...jmo.
 
Smallshop said:
Why?LOL..you can buy 1 1/4 steel box tubing and 1 1/4 Aluminum bar stock all day long....It would most likely be much easier to adapt an attachment you need than cluge a nice grinder...jmo.
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Haha. I suppose that's true but I'm always tweaking, adjusting or "improving" things.

My wife has asked, more than once, why can't you just leave stuff alone? Not everything needs your help. lol.
 
Smallshop said:
This entire thread blows my mind....sigh.
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Ted, you mean the results blows your mind? OR - the guy who started such a dumb thread? :eek:o_O;)

I was really hoping for more than the 15 votes on preferred size of tool arm...... well, actually more of a statement of thoughts on 1.6" size. I think 1.6" has been pretty well answered - DUMB idea!
 
No...just the comparing apples to oranges...I don't really see any practical comparisons going on except the fact that 1 5/8 (1.625) steel box tubing is hard to source in comparison to 1 1/2 (1.5) or 1 1/4 (1.25)....so therefore almost worthless if you are building your own tool arms.
I would be doing some math equations before relying on anecdotal evidence were these three sizes truly any concern to me as to strength. Availability of material is really the only concern that I can see...and 1.5 is the clear winner there.
 
Smallshop said:
.I don't really see any practical comparisons going on except the fact that 1 5/8 (1.625) steel box tubing is hard to source in comparison to 1 1/2 (1.5) or 1 1/4 (1.25)....so therefore almost worthless if you are building your own tool arms.
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That was exactly my point - 1.5" ONLY because that seems to be the most common and easy to find. 1.25" is just as good, but at the time I built my first grinder I didn't know anybody used 1.25" tool arm - that's how little I knew at the time. 1.625" would be harder to find, but the 1.6" has to be machined, making it even less desirable.

I sent the guy I mentioned in OP but don't know what the result will be. He did say if there was enough interest he would make a special run of 1.5" tool arm, but 1.6" would not go away.

Thanks to all for comments and votes.

Ken H>
 
EdCaffreyMS said:
That was my thought too! When I first saw that size mentioned, my mind went straight to the producer trying to do something "proprietary".... trying to make sure that people would have to buy from them to get a new tooling arm. :)
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Funny, because I immediately thought he had a free or very cheap source for the material. That is the only reason I can think they would try to use an oddball. His claim that he is using it because it is more rigid goes out the window when you see his platen design.

I have aluminum 1.25", and I've ground on several other machines. I can think of no reason to go bigger, except if I drop it. The aluminum has held up very well over the last few years.
 
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