Quick question... Is there any other way to clean a grinding wheel off without using a wheel dresser?
Jonathon
Jonathon
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Question on grinding wheels!
- Thread starter Jonathon.C
- Start date
Yes there is. I use a worn out grinding wheel. Just apply the abrasive to the wheel as it spins. Make sure it is well supported. Use to be an abrasive stick around and I also have one of those too. I don't like the metal star wheels, I think they are unsafe from just the way they operate, I don't use mine anymore. You can also buy a diamond dressing bar. GT
Steve Worcester
Admin Emeritus
Is it that you don't have a dresser?
The well-dressed wheel
The reasons for cleaning/dressing an abrasive wheel are to get rid of metalic build-up and to true the wheel to minimize vibration and provide a flush grinding surface. Neither can be accomplished w/out applying some form of abrasive.
There are at least 3 types of wheel dressers: 1. The oldest is called a "Devil Stone." 2. The next oldest is the metal wheel type. 3. The most recent type is the diamond dresser. I use a "devil Stone" almost exclusively but I also have a diamond dresser that came w/my Tru-Grind jig. The wheel-type dresser is, to me, a waste of money.
It takes a bit of practice to use any dresser correctly. The most difficult thing is maintaining the 90 degree angle between the side of the wheel and the dresser face.
Yes, a dresser will eat away the wheel but it will also enable a true grind on your tools. $20.00/year for truely ground tools isn't that bad. 🙂
The reasons for cleaning/dressing an abrasive wheel are to get rid of metalic build-up and to true the wheel to minimize vibration and provide a flush grinding surface. Neither can be accomplished w/out applying some form of abrasive.
There are at least 3 types of wheel dressers: 1. The oldest is called a "Devil Stone." 2. The next oldest is the metal wheel type. 3. The most recent type is the diamond dresser. I use a "devil Stone" almost exclusively but I also have a diamond dresser that came w/my Tru-Grind jig. The wheel-type dresser is, to me, a waste of money.
It takes a bit of practice to use any dresser correctly. The most difficult thing is maintaining the 90 degree angle between the side of the wheel and the dresser face.
Yes, a dresser will eat away the wheel but it will also enable a true grind on your tools. $20.00/year for truely ground tools isn't that bad. 🙂
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Yeah... I don't have a dressing thinga-ma-jiggy; I do have an old honing stone that I'll try to use. I noticed the other day that I have a bit of build-up in the wheel so I just was wondering if there was an alternative way to get rid of it! Thanks for the help!
Jonathon
Jonathon
Honing stone? NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
The whole point is that you have to remove some material to clean the face of the grinding wheel, as you litterally have molten metal imbedded in it. Using a wire brush will just add more metal. Using any type of cleaning solution just adds gunk. Using a honing stone might work but I'd be very worried about chiping or breaking, as that's really not what it's designed for, and I'd guess you stand an equal chance of increasing the gunk level in the wheel. You can mail order a diamond wheel dresser from any craft supply for about $15 and shipping. Works well, has a flat surface so gives a good 90degree face, etc. Well worth it.
And, remember, grinding wheels aren't designed to be permanent. They're temporary and wear out, just like sandpaper and the edge of a tool.
Dietrich
The whole point is that you have to remove some material to clean the face of the grinding wheel, as you litterally have molten metal imbedded in it. Using a wire brush will just add more metal. Using any type of cleaning solution just adds gunk. Using a honing stone might work but I'd be very worried about chiping or breaking, as that's really not what it's designed for, and I'd guess you stand an equal chance of increasing the gunk level in the wheel. You can mail order a diamond wheel dresser from any craft supply for about $15 and shipping. Works well, has a flat surface so gives a good 90degree face, etc. Well worth it.
And, remember, grinding wheels aren't designed to be permanent. They're temporary and wear out, just like sandpaper and the edge of a tool.
Dietrich
Hey, thanks for the comment... I'll probably just get a wheel dresser. I always try to find a way to do it cheaper, but I should probably just get a dresser. Thx for the help!
Jonathon
Jonathon
No prob. Just kept picturing a "shhhhhhhhhhhh-clink-GRAAAAAAANNNNCCCCHHHHH-BOOM!" and chunks of grinding wheel and honing stone flying around the room. Is there a Woodcraft in earshot of you? Home Despot? bLowe's? Rockler? I know Rockler and Woodcraft would have one and the other two might also.
Dietrich
Dietrich
😀 ---- Yeah, I got a Home Depot about three minutes away from my house. Lowes about twenty minutes away. There is also a Wood Craft Supply about an hour away... so I have a few options 😉
Jonathon
Jonathon
Hey Jonathon,
I understand about trying to do things the least expensive way. But I have to tell you my experence. I bought the $15 diamond dresser and used it. It seemed to clean the wheel up. I got the grinder from Woodcraft you know the 8" wheel 1725 $75-95 if catch it on sale. My wheels were not true. Then someone told me about that Oneway wheel dresser.
I said I am not paying $60.00 for a wheel dresser!!! Well I went through 3 diamond dressers only because they are not made to last forever. Then that same person SHOWED me the dresser and how it worked and I tried it on my wheels. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! For the first time I could tell that my tools were not slightly bouncing on the wheel. I just touch up my tools when grindering/ just get a burr and it only takes a couple of seconds. This system is made to last!!! If you plan on turning for some time take a good look at this system. You will never buy another diamond dresser again. VWNW
I understand about trying to do things the least expensive way. But I have to tell you my experence. I bought the $15 diamond dresser and used it. It seemed to clean the wheel up. I got the grinder from Woodcraft you know the 8" wheel 1725 $75-95 if catch it on sale. My wheels were not true. Then someone told me about that Oneway wheel dresser.
I said I am not paying $60.00 for a wheel dresser!!! Well I went through 3 diamond dressers only because they are not made to last forever. Then that same person SHOWED me the dresser and how it worked and I tried it on my wheels. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! For the first time I could tell that my tools were not slightly bouncing on the wheel. I just touch up my tools when grindering/ just get a burr and it only takes a couple of seconds. This system is made to last!!! If you plan on turning for some time take a good look at this system. You will never buy another diamond dresser again. VWNW