What do you think of this bench grinder for skew sharpening?

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Good point, and I have the extra funds, but I thought folks sharpen at much higher speeds...is that ok?
 
I have one and I have it set as slow as it will go and it works for me. To fast is bad it will overheat your tool your trying to sharpen and take the temper out of the steel. Slower to a point is better.
 
FYI I have the slow speed grinder from Woodcraft at it works great! I use it only for sharpening and I have another high speed grinder I use for everything else....
 
Tony -- That delta has "gray" wheels -- you want the white/pink/ruby/blue ceramic or aluminum oxide wheels --

The Woodcraft Rikon has White (aluminum Oxide) wheels

Unless you are going to jump right into ceramic or CBN Wheels for the delta, the Rikon is a better use-out-of-the-box-value.

Both are low end grinder ($100-150) -- next bump up in grinders add $100-$150 to the price.
 
P.S. Unless you are using carbon steel tooling, it is really hard to over heat High Speed Steels on a grinder -- You have to get beyond dull red to change the temper on HSS.

HSS blue does not count -- High Carbon Steel - blue = ruined temper.
 
Can't possibly work. The picture clearly shows that it has a gray case with a black base. Everyone knows that the grinder must be lavender if you intend to use it to sharpen skews. :smile:

Seriously, a grinder is probably the 'least best' tool to sharpen skews. The reason is that a grinder will leave you with a hollow grind which makes the skew harder to use. Instead, you are much better off with a something that has a flat grinding surface - a belt sander, disk sander, diamond hone, an oil stone, or as Capt Eddie once said, a brick.
 
I have a Powertec and it had white wheels. It is a slow speed grinder and I'm going to either build or boy a jig for sharpening my tools. I saw a vid on one that Capt Eddie had made but his health is not good as he used to sell his sharpening systems cheaper than what a person would pay else where. There are several vids on making a jig, but my grinder work well. Only take a second to get the tool sharp but I have trouble with the angles so will be making or buying a system for mine... Fay
 
Thank you. Then it looks like the Sorby model or convert a belt sander as Capt'n Eddie did. I guess the Work Sharp 3000 is also not as good(?).
 
Low Speed Grinders

KenV said:
Tony -- That delta has "gray" wheels -- you want the white/pink/ruby/blue ceramic or aluminum oxide wheels --

The Woodcraft Rikon has White (aluminum Oxide) wheels

Unless you are going to jump right into ceramic or CBN Wheels for the delta, the Rikon is a better use-out-of-the-box-value.

Both are low end grinder ($100-150) -- next bump up in grinders add $100-$150 to the price.
Click to expand...


Yes, I did plan on changing the wheels as you recommended. My skews are HSS (Sorby). Should I worry about the speed being over 1800?
 
Go with the slowest grinder with the non-gray wheels since you would be buying different wheels anyways. Over heating the tool also has to do with the force applied to the tool and the amount of time it is applied to the wheel.
 
I have no idea why the WS 3000 is not as good....it may be better....just what other folks are saying. Most of the folks on amazon love them.
 
The WS is great for skews and carving tools. Not great for turning gouges since it's impossible to get repeatable angles.

The Woodcraft grinder is fine. The Wolverine jig and Vari-grind are pretty much what everyone use. Once you get them set up they work great.
 
Hi,

I follow the Cap'n Eddie method using a belt sander occasionally but touching up the edge quite often using 600 grit film back abrasive on a piece of granite counter top.
 
Thanks! I bought a Kalamazoo 1 x 42 belt sander and just started using it. So far, I like the results. Time will tell.
 
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