Thread: Anyone qualified to compare wheel dressers?

The best thing for that is a star wheel dresser like this one
https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pr...tockCode=G189A
I have a few and they will clean and true it up in no time.
The diamond dressers (which I also have) are OK but really should be held rigid and not used by hand for best results.

Dave

Hi Chipslinger
I have both diamond dressers and a star washer dresser.
Depends what you are after, I think the diamond does a better job, but its more messing about and takes longer than the star washer dresser.
So as a rough guide. Diamond for tool sharpening, star washer if you're just shifting metal.

Stuart

I forgot to add in the above post, that the star wheel one will get it down quick as it is fairly aggressive, you can feel the grit hitting your feet (you may not because I wear thongs most of the time,LOL)

Dave

They would be steel capped thongs one would hope

They have swarf in them if that counts.

Dave

That all seems to make pretty good sense to me; thanks guys (or Gals if you're under cover) My feet must be magnetic; the slightest hint of swarf and its embedded in my foot if I'm dressed at all casually
Thanks again; star-wheel it will be. (I use the wet'n'dry on the plate glass for the serious results)
Chipslinger

Ah yes the famed Bombay safety boots. I should stop wearing mine out in the grass, damned bees seem to like using my feet for target practice. Good thing for me they only get one shot at it.

If you can't find your diamond or star dresser, a piece broken off an old grinding wheel works too.
Wear a dust mask, and keep it away from your nice machinery.

Jordan

Only qualified by experience - no piece of paper -- but

I have also used a dressing stick (Norbide Dressing Stick | Blackwoods)

I prefer it to the star wheel as I find it easier to control and far less scary.

A dust mask is essential.

I have a diamond dresser with a square face (HANDHELD DIAMOND WHEEL DRESSER WITH SQUARE FACE #G23) that works well hand held but I save it for the "better" dressing efforts prior to grinding HSS lathe tools on the white wheel.

I'd like a few dollers for every wheel I've dressed over the years.
I have used various types of dresser with varying amounts of success.

The very best I have used is a Sievert type. (blackwoods cat no 0064 7308)
This is a variation on the star wheel type. It has a series of "U" channel shaped fingers attached radially to a hub which turns on the spindle of the dresser. (Its a bit hard to describe, but if you imagine a lawn spiking roller, its a similar design) All the U fingers are locked together in relation to each other. This type of dresser is very, very good and can really rip the grit from the grinding wheel if you want.
The problem I have always had with star wheels is invariably the centre hole in a couple of the star discs gets worn more than the others, resulting in that disc putting a groove in the wheels, usually on the very last pass.
For my 200mm wheels at home I just use a diamond stick dresser to get it close and then finish off with a dressing stick (blackwoods cat no 0063 6801)
The trick to it all is to not let your wheels get bad in the first place. As soon as it starts to get either a small groove or the slightest bit of glazing, dress it. This way your wheel will last a lot longer because you are not removing as much grit every time you dress it. If you do it this way you might take 1/2mm off each dressing where as if you have a groove say 1mm deep you have to take 2mm off the diameter to fix it. Most of that grit is just waste.

regards
bollie7

Another thing to bear in mind when useing a star dresser compared to the other various styles of dressers describe is the Ridgidity of the tool support you will be resting the dresser on.

Also if useing the Star wheel type dresser for the first time take note of its correct method of use,if it dosent come with instructions for use,which it more than likely wont,make sure you ask the supplier how to use it,also make sure you get one that is of a suitable size for the wheels you wish to dress.

Hey, I never got instructions. Pipeclay - can you please give us a summary on correct use?

Jordan

I found a round diamond dresser with a block of steel with a hole in the centre with a grub screw on top to be good for that size grinder, and the star type ones better for larger wheels.

This is going from memory only.
The 1st thing to do is look at the Wheel to ensure that there are no Large Dings or Marks in the Wheel that may effect its integrity.(there will be a reasonable amount of load on the Wheels from the Dresser).You would also make sure that the Wheels are worth Dressing,at a guess I would change a Wheel if it was within 1" 25mm of the support collar or there abouts.

Next if everything was OK I would adjust the Tool rests away from the Wheel so that the HEEL of the Dresser fits between the Tool rest and the Wheel with 1/8"/3mm clearance.(You dont want the Stars to be in contact with the Grinding Wheel when in the RESTING position)

Next after you have the adjustments set turn ON the Grinder and with the Dresser Resting on the Tool support bring the Star Wheels in to Touch the Wheel.
The Amount of Pressure you can Apply to the Wheel with the Dresser will Depend on the Ridgidity of the Tool support.(Solid/Strong will allow good pressure,Flimsy/Weak will allow Slight pressure)

Next after you have Raised the Dresser to contact the Wheel you will have to move the Dresser from Right to Left holding a suitable amount of pressure on the Dresser to Re-Dress the Wheel.( If the Wheels are Badly Rutted or Loaded/Glazed you will need to remove enough material to get the Wheels Running True and Square across there Face.(If you need to remove a lot of Material to bring the Wheels back to a useable/New condition you may have to during the Dressing Opperation Re-Adjust the Dress/Wheel clearance.

If you have the Weaker tool supports you will have to be very carefull and aware of any Flexing this may cause.(If the Flex or move too much you Grinding Wheel Face will not be Square to the Centre Line,you may have to make a more Ridgid Support for Dressing.)

After you have Dressed the Wheels and are happy with the result,Allow the Dresser to tilt back towards the opperator,the Star Wheels should NOW be clear of the Grinding Wheel.

If all is good proceed to the Next wheel if Dressing is required.

After Dressing the Wheels you will need to Re-Set the Tool support Clearance,do this with the Grinder turned OFF.Set the Clearance as CLOSE as possable,(best to check the Clearance first by Rotateing the Wheel by Hand to ensure there is NO rubbing,if all appears Good after adjusting and Hand testing STAND TO ONE SIDE OUT OF THE WHEELS PATH AND TURN THE GRINDER ON,there is the chance that if the Wheels or Motor is well out of balance the Wheels could touch the Tool rests.

YOU WOULD ALSO REQUIRE SAFETY GLASSES/GOGGLES AND DUST MASK.