Grizzly T32720 – 10″ Variable-Speed Wet Sharpener Review

The Grizzly T32720 – 10″ Variable-Speed Wet Sharpener emerges as a significant addition to the toolkit of any craftsman looking to maintain and enhance the sharpness of their tools with precision and efficiency. This machine is specifically designed to offer a superior sharpening experience for a wide array of tools such as chisels and wood lathe instruments, leveraging its variable speed control to accommodate different types of materials and sharpening needs.

The package includes a robust, heavy grinding stone that ensures durability and longevity, honing paste for achieving a polished edge, and multiple guides that cater to various blade shapes and sizes, enabling precise angle adjustments.

This combination of features not only simplifies the sharpening process but also elevates the quality of the outcome, ensuring tools are honed to perfection. The Grizzly T32720 stands out for its thoughtful design, which includes a water trough to keep the stone wet during operation, thereby preventing overheating and ensuring a smooth sharpening process.

Key Features:

1. 220-grit aluminum oxide grinding wheel: Offers fine grinding for precision sharpening of tools, ensuring a sharp and durable edge.
2. Water bath: Keeps the grinding wheel clean and prevents overheating of tools during the sharpening process, preserving the quality of the tools.
3. Leather stropping wheel: Used for final honing and polishing of tools, providing a razor-sharp finish.
4. Variable-speed control: Allows adjustment of the grinding speed to suit different tools and materials, enhancing versatility and control.
5. Extra-wide grinding wheel: Provides a larger surface area for sharpening, accommodating a variety of tool sizes and shapes.
6. Work rest micro-adjustment: Enables precise positioning of tools against the grinding wheel, ensuring accuracy and consistency in sharpening.

Unboxing and Setup

During the unboxing of the Grizzly T32720 – 10″ Variable-Speed Wet Sharpener, the process appears direct and uncomplicated, though reference to the instruction manual is necessary for a comprehensive understanding of all components included.

The package contains the main unit of the sharpener, a substantial grinding stone essential for the sharpening process, honing paste for fine-tuning the sharpness of tools, and a variety of attachments designed to accommodate different tools for sharpening.

This initial stage sets the stage for the user to start assembling and preparing the sharpener for its first use, emphasizing the need for careful review of the included instructions to ensure proper setup.

Assembly and Features

The assembly of the sharpener demands a detailed follow-through of the manual’s instructions, which guide the user through each step meticulously. A notable aspect of the assembly is the importance of correctly installing the grinding wheel, ensuring it is sandwiched between blotters on both sides for optimal performance.

This requirement presents a slight challenge as the package supplies only one blotter, prompting the user to fabricate an additional one to comply with the assembly guidelines. This phase highlights the critical nature of the torque adjustment feature, which plays a vital role in the functionality and efficiency of the sharpener, underscoring a minor gap in the packaging contents that users need to address.

Operation Assessment

Upon completion of the assembly, the operational capabilities of the sharpener are evaluated through the sharpening of a chisel, demonstrating the variable-speed feature’s utility in adapting to various sharpening requirements.

The operation involves precisely positioning the tool against the grinding stone, fine-tuning the guide to achieve the correct sharpening angle, and maintaining the stone’s wetness with water to facilitate an effective sharpening process. This testing phase is crucial in understanding the machine’s practical application and adjusting the setup to accommodate the specific needs of the sharpening task at hand.

Performance Accuracy

In terms of performance, the sharpener proves its effectiveness by significantly improving the sharpness of even severely damaged chisels, showcasing its capability to restore and refine the edges of various tools. The application of honing paste and the use of a leather strop contribute to achieving a superior level of sharpness.

Nevertheless, the reviewer identifies a learning curve in mastering the sharpener’s use, particularly in managing the water tray and attaining the optimal level of sharpness desired. This aspect suggests that while the sharpener is highly capable, achieving the best results may require some practice and adjustment by the user.

Build Quality and Visual Design

The overall build quality of the Grizzly T32720 sharpener is robust, highlighted by the durable grinding stone that forms the cornerstone of the sharpener’s functionality. However, concerns are raised regarding the plastic housing’s durability and the grinding wheel’s stability during use, which could potentially affect the sharpener’s longevity and performance.

The necessity for torque adjustment is noted as a means to address some operational stability issues, pointing to areas where the design and build quality could be enhanced to ensure a more reliable and efficient sharpening experience.

Pros of the Grizzly T32720 – 10″ Variable-Speed Wet Sharpener

• Versatile Sharpening Capability: Accommodates a wide range of tools, from chisels to knives, with its variable-speed control and diverse attachments.
• Superior Edge Finish: The inclusion of a leather stropping wheel ensures tools receive a polished, razor-sharp finish after sharpening.
• Prevents Tool Overheating: The water bath system keeps the grinding wheel and tools cool, reducing the risk of overheating and damage during sharpening.
• Durability: Built with a robust design, including a high-quality aluminum oxide grinding wheel that ensures long-term performance and reliability.

Cons of the Grizzly T32720 – 10″ Variable-Speed Wet Sharpener

• Learning Curve: New users may require some time to become proficient with the machine, especially with adjusting for the perfect sharpening angle.
• Packaging Oversights: The machine comes with only one blotter for the grinding wheel, necessitating an additional purchase or improvisation by the user.
• Plastic Housing Concerns: Some users might find the plastic components less durable over time, especially with heavy use.
• Stability of the Wheel: There have been notes about the stability of the grinding wheel during operation, which may affect the sharpening precision and require adjustment.

Innovative Features and Safety

The Grizzly T32720 – 10″ Variable-Speed Wet Sharpener integrates cutting-edge features and safety measures, making it a standout tool for precision sharpening. Its 220-grit aluminum oxide grinding wheel offers fine sharpening for a variety of tools, ensuring sharp, long-lasting edges. A key innovation is the water bath system, which keeps the wheel clean and tools cool, preventing overheating and damage.

Variable-speed control allows users to adjust the speed to suit different materials, enhancing the sharpener’s versatility. The addition of a leather stropping wheel enables final honing and polishing, delivering a superior finish. Safety-wise, the sharpener is designed with a water bath to minimize dust and sparks, anti-vibration technology for stable operation, and safety shields to protect users from debris, making it a safe, efficient choice for any workshop.

Recommendation

For hobbyists and professionals looking to enhance their tool sharpening capabilities, the Grizzly T32720 offers a versatile and effective solution. Despite the initial learning curve and setup challenges, the sharpener’s ability to restore and refine edges on various tools makes it a recommended addition to any workshop.

Final Thoughts

The Grizzly T32720 sharpener proves to be a valuable tool for the workshop, significantly improving tool sharpness with some practice and adjustment. While there are minor issues with assembly instructions and component quality, the overall performance justifies the investment. The reviewer appreciates the machine’s capability to handle various sharpening tasks and suggests that with more experience, users can optimize its use for even better results.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What types of tools can be sharpened with the Grizzly T32720?
   The Grizzly T32720 is suitable for sharpening a wide range of tools, including chisels, knives, plane irons, and woodturning tools, thanks to its versatile design and attachments.
2. Does the water bath need to be filled with a specific type of water?
   Regular tap water is sufficient for the water bath, which is used to cool the tools during sharpening and prevent overheating.
3. How does the variable-speed control benefit sharpening?
   The variable-speed control allows users to adjust the speed of the grinding wheel, accommodating different tool materials and sharpening needs for optimal results.
4. Can the grinding wheel be replaced, and are there different grit options available?
   Yes, the grinding wheel can be replaced, and Grizzly Industrial offers various grit options to suit different sharpening requirements.
5. What is the purpose of the leather stropping wheel?
   The leather stropping wheel is used for the final honing and polishing of tools, removing any burrs and achieving a razor-sharp edge.
6. Is it easy to adjust the angle at which tools are sharpened?
   Yes, the sharpener includes a work rest with micro-adjustment capabilities, allowing for precise angle adjustments to achieve the desired edge on tools.
7. How do I maintain the aluminum oxide grinding wheel and leather stropping wheel?
   The grinding wheel requires occasional cleaning to remove metal residue, while the leather stropping wheel may need reapplication of honing compound to maintain its effectiveness.
8. What safety features does the Grizzly T32720 have?
   The sharpener is equipped with a splash guard and a water bath to minimize dust and sparks, ensuring a safer sharpening process.
9. Can I sharpen gardening tools with this sharpener?
   Yes, gardening tools like pruners, shears, and even lawnmower blades can be sharpened with the Grizzly T32720, thanks to its extra-wide grinding wheel.
10. Where can I find replacement parts or additional attachments for the Grizzly T32720?
    Replacement parts and additional attachments can be purchased directly from Grizzly Industrial or authorized dealers, ensuring you can keep your sharpener in top condition and expand its capabilities.

We’d love to hear from you! Share your personal experiences and thoughts about the Grizzly T32720 – 10″ Variable-Speed Wet Sharpener in the comments section below. Your insights could help fellow craftsmen and hobbyists make informed decisions!