Thread: For those using diamond wheels on grinders ...

click

Thanks Derek.

This issue was canvassed in the Woodturning thread on the diamond wheel bulk buy that a number of us participated in.

Woodcraft, the supplier, says they've never heard of a prob. with HSS, and that thread mentions a reason why that may be.

Brendan Stemp, an Aussie pro turner, has used his for some time now and not found any issues. NeilS, the instigator of the bulk buy likewise.

Thanks for posting Derek.

Interesting!

I waded through that WoodCentral thread. Many theories. Some quite amusing.

Bottom line, iron doesn't take up carbon until something like 750deg C, that's about 200C above red heat in full daylight. As it's difficult to raise even a spark on the diamond wheel that some of us have been using (you can even hold your fingers next to the tip as you grind) I doubt that we are having too many of our diamonds being grabbing from our wheels and sucked into our HSS tools.

Most of us are using our diamond wheels to lightly hone a fresh fine edge on our turning tools and not for grinding new profiles or grinding off bulk material. If we were then perhaps we would raise the temperature into the claimed critical temperature zone.

On the other hand, I wouldn't mind having a few diamonds incorporated into my HSS turning tools...

It's early days yet, so the jury is still out on the how the diamond wheels will hold up but so far they are looking like a worthwhile alternative to the more expensive wet grind systems. I'm certainly loving mine.

The only issue so far has in fact been how well they have stood up to carbide, which will rip the diamonds from the matrix of the WoodRiver wheels if not careful.

The CBN wheels may be better for HSS, but up until recently they haven't been readily available at a competitive price for mounting on a bench grinder. There is at least one CBN supplier now with a wheel close in price to the diamond option which may start to tip the balance in that direction for who can justify/rationalise the cost.

BTW - Has anyone read Bill Neddow's latest article in the AAW (I don't subscribe) on grinding wheels?
.

Yes, I've read the Neddow article Neil.

Nothing particularly new, but he does rehearse the same concern about diamond cutting steel and says the prob will be marked by a film of black dust around the grinder base.

I've not noticed this nor do I recall anyone else mentioning it in the bulk buy thread re the Woodcraft items.

He speaks favorably about the wear and clogging rates of CBN wheels with HSS tools and observes that #180 produces a razor sharp edge on Thompson tools.

Originally Posted by rsser

Yes, I've read the Neddow article Neil.

Nothing particularly new, but he does rehearse the same concern about diamond cutting steel and says the prob will be marked by a film of black dust around the grinder base.

I've not noticed this nor do I recall anyone else mentioning it in the bulk buy thread re the Woodcraft items.

He speaks favorably about the wear and clogging rates of CBN wheels with HSS tools and observes that #180 produces a razor sharp edge on Thompson tools.

Thanks Ern.

It is worth hearing Bill Neddows's views. There seems to be more recycled views than direct experience being offered on the topic, so it is useful to hear from a more experienced woodturner like Bill. Our own batch of WoodRiver wheels should also provide some collective workshop wisdom.

I'll look out for the 'film of black dust', although I'm not quite sure what that will indicate if I find it.
.