Cheap Bench Grinder? - Help please

[Streepips]

I use a noname import grinder 6" wheels for the rough grinding. If its round and spins and wears away the metal then its OK for that stage. Cost about £15:00
If in a rush I use the belt sander, either the disc or the flat belt, either way, you have to watch for overheating..Not good for any blade at all..

After this brutal treatment I cheat and use a Scheppach Tiger2500 then a white oilstone to hone.

My opinion is after using various combinations of stones, grinders, whetstones, jigs, honers, plates of glass with emery glued on etcetc is to just buy a cheap whetstone and master it............
Saying that, one of the best sharpen ups I ever did was on a customers doorstep, then honed on Levi jeans ( mine not the customers)

As for the earlier point about sparks from a grindstone and any risk they may present, remember, Heat and temperature are two different things. A spark from a grindstone is very high heat ( white hot even) but very low temperature.......Just try lighting a candle from the sparks and see how much of a fire risk it presents !

 

[Streepips]

Correction ! Doh !

High Temperatue but low heat content!

 

[ivan]

Even with a white (tool steel) wheel it's quite easy to overcook the tool and de temper it, unless the (dry) grinder is a "slow" version running at about 1450 rpm. Standard grinders are about 3000 rpm.

If you're a real beginner, get a copy of Ian Kirby's little book on sharpening from Amazon, it covers choice of bench grinder and use. It shows you how to make your own tool rest, and all the tool holders you'll need. He says waterstones to hone as they're fairly cheap.

 

[OPJ]

Olly,

Which set of oilstones did you get and where from ? I've read loads of threads on the subject and have only ended up more confused so if you've got yourself the full solution and are happy with it I'd like to copy it
thanks


Paul

Hi Paul. I bought three of the Norton India Oilstones from Tilgear (coarse, medium, fine). Just before Christmas, the wider 3" stones were on sale at about £12 each. I also purchased an ultra fine ceramic stone from them at the same time, for about £42. I was taught to use oilstones at college, so I'm comfortable with this setup. It's fairly cheap, too, although I doubt I'll be using the coarse stone now I have a grinder.

Without practice, it's quite easy to wear an oilstone and form a hollow or make it 'dished' in the centre. Diamond stones are much harder wearing and I think the same applies to waterstones (which can get very messy)? Another concern with the diamond and water stones is the use of water as a lubricant, in a garage-workshop which is uninsulated and has no heating.

You can call Tilgear to request a catalogue (01707 873434), if you don't have one. You can also e-mail them; [email protected].


The grinding jig I was kindly given appears to be this one. It is cheap and cheerful but it looks good enough for me. My only concern is that there's nothing to hold the tool still while you grind. But, I think I could easily make a sled from some thin MDF and stick a toggle clamp on one side.