Thread: clean up bench grinder wheels

On a related issue, I've been assembling some aluminium pool fencing that required cutting to length. The resulting cuts were a bit sharp so I cleaned them up with a fine file. Now the file is clogged and the wire brush isn't making much of a job of cleaning.

Any options for unclogging a file?

Have you tried a couple of swipes over some mild steel?

Originally Posted by old_picker

that veritas jig looks good but i bet there are others that will do as well at a cheaper price??

There may be, but I haven't seen them. I did a bit of research before buying the Veritas and the almost unanimous verdict was that the Veritas was by far the best for the price. Apparently the cheaper ones flex too much at the pivot points. The Veritas is rock solid.

Originally Posted by MuellerNick

On a bench grinder, the dresser's tip has to point downwards, about 20°!

Thanks Nick, I'll keep that in mind when I make up my dressing jig.

Originally Posted by Fuzzie

On a related issue,

Any options for unclogging a file?

Soak it in a caustic solution, not for too long,just 24hrs will do. Drano has caustic content- sodium hydroxide.This will break down the aluminium.
Use eye protection and use a file card to scrub off the now, loose crap.Push it away from you - and your eyes. Wash copiously with water and dry.

Before use on ali next time rub the file teeth across soft chalk. The chalk will fill the gaps between the teeth and help prevent clogging.

Grahame

Originally Posted by MuellerNick

On a bench grinder, the dresser's tip has to point downwards, about 20°!

This might be mis-understandable.
The single point dresser has to point in the rotating direction at any kind of grinding machine. Be it cylindrical grinder, surface grinder bench grinder or whatever.
With multi diamond dressers, I'm not so sure, but it won't hurt.

For freehand dressing, I prefer the multiple diamonds dresser. With a single point dresser, you always need a guide/fence.


Nick

Plus one on using diamond concreate cutter wheels.
I tryed it yesterday and it works a treat.
I got better results than with a star wheel.

Originally Posted by Grahame Collins

...
Before use on ali next time rub the file teeth across soft chalk. The chalk will fill the gaps between the teeth and help prevent clogging.

Grahame

Good one.

Thanks Grahame, I'll give both tips a try.

Old thread I know, but I finally got around to making a jig for my cheap eBay single-point diamond dresser. It's just a scrap piece of HDPE that runs in the slot of my Veritas grinding jig. I know it's rough, but it works a treat.

That's pretty damn near to what our apprentices had to make; but we had them fit a locking screw to rigidly clamp the dresser once the distance had been set. I like the fine adjustment you've put in; the dressers we supplied our guys were about 5" long and 1/2" dia; we got them to cut a 1/2" UNF thread along them and wind it in and out of the block for adjustment.

Cutting a thread in the dresser is a good idea. Mine is just held in the HDPE by friction. By chance a 9.5mm drill bit made exactly the right size hole. The adjuster isn't my idea- I saw it on a Youtube video.

I used my router table to shape the HDPE to fit the slot in the grinding jig. Being a small piece it was a bit wobbly, hence the spots where the cutter dug in. If I had secured it to a piece of timber it would have been better (and safer).

G'Day Fellas,
Something that hasn't been mentioned, cover your machinery before dressing wheels,as the grit flies everywhere.
Regards,
Martin

Hello Old Picker,
The answer is a new wheel and when you do, buy a diamond dresser (T bar type).
For $50 you are set. You are going to lose half your current wheel trying to dress it and probably wear out the dresser as well.
It is dangerous to use a clogged wheel. Drillit.