Thread: Planer knife grinder

I have only ever ground my planer blades on a normal grinder using the "standard" tool rest. I suppose it started when I would routinely sharpen/grind hand held planer blades. I always have a spare set of planer blades in planers box so that when on site and had to have sharp blades (after hitting a buried nail) I would change them on the job then when at home would sharpen them to be ready for next time.
When I bought the Jointer (12") and Thicknesser (12") I never gave not grinding them my self a thought. I have a Helligrind tool rest which is only marginally bigger than a standard tool rest. I just set the angle to suit the blade and slowly and carefully slide the blade across the grinding wheel taking extreme notice to be as fluid as possible and keep checking that the cutting edge is straight. Two reasons come to mind why I do it myself, 1.The cost of farming them out 2.The inconvenience of having a set in town being done while I have just hit a buried object and having to stop the project until I attend to the retrieving of the blade and then do the R&R when I get home.
The Jointer blades are 300 X 30 X 5mm while the Thicky has 300 X 50 X 10mm. Even with such a big and heavy chunk of metal, the grinding process is straightforward and easy. Yes it takes time but its free.

Personally, I wouldn't attempt to grind any sort of cutting blade without the use of coolant.
You run a very big risk of burning the blade and ruining the temper.
Just my 2c worth, I am a toolmaker and have several surface grinders.
I think you would be better off trying to find an older machine that uses coolant.
Something like this, sorry I couldn't find an old one.
http://www.machines4u.com.au/view/advert/APN780/37293/

Yep i had the Timbercon version and it was easy to use and the convenience of not having to do drop offs and pick ups particularly on a weekend when you chip the blade. I don't have it any more as I've converted to helical head cutters.