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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    91

    Default How important is the front and side width of CBN wheels?

    I've ordered a low speed grinder and am tossing up between the Carbatec CBN wheel and the Vicmark one from CWS.

    I'm looking at 8" 180g wheels.
    Carbatec - 25mm wide with what appears to be ~15mm on the sides
    Vicmark - 40mm with 40mm on the sides

    For me, with bushings etc the Vicmark one is about about 50% extra.

    I will use it for wood turning as well as plane irons, chisels and pretty much any hardened steel edge.

    Does anyone have any advice or feedback about using 40mm wide wheels compared to 25mm wheels, and 40mm sides compared to ~15mm?

    The main advantages that I've seen is that the wider wheel is better suited for fingernail grinds on bowl gouges, and the 40mm sides may be better for flat grinding skew chisels and possibly kitchen knives. For long term use, there is about double the useable grinding surface - although I understand that this may not be a factor for occasional DIY use.

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    684

    Default

    I find the 40mm side surface great for quickly grinding a flat bevel onto something like a chisel if required. I went with the Vicmarc CBN wheels I have no complaints. Knowing the overall quality differences of Carbatec vs Vicmarc it was a no-brainer.

    A wider wheel allows you to feather horizontally across the surface more resulting in even less heat buildup, too.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Melbourne
    Posts
    91

    Default

    Thanks for the tips!

    Is there a known quality difference between various brands of CBN wheels?

    I have been thinking that whilst not necessary, the wider sides could be helpful for re-grinding the bevels of carving chisels.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    10,810

    Default

    I have the wider wheels. This helps when grinding narrower blades, and you can push the edge directly into the wheel face.

    Regards from Perth

    Derek
    Visit www.inthewoodshop.com for tutorials on constructing handtools, handtool reviews, and my trials and tribulations with furniture builds.

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    Adelaide Hills, South Australia
    Posts
    4,311

    Default

    I have both 25mm and 40mm. The wider wheels were not readily available back when I purchased the 25mm wheel, but I prefer the 40mm, which I mainly use for woodturning tools.

    Unless you are going to be doing a lot of re-profiling of tools edges you might consider going finer than #180. I found that I mostly use my #360 and rarely my #180.

    However, if you use the #180 a lot it will eventually become less aggressive and leave a slightly finer abrasion pattern.

    I left my #180 for just doing any re-profiling work, so it has remained more aggressive for just doing that.

    With your anticipated use I don't expect you will find much difference between the different brands of wheels.
    Stay sharp and stay safe!

    Neil



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