Thread: Diamond Grinding Wheel

So how do you balance-dress the wheel when you first mount it on the grinder ?

Originally Posted by Manuka Jock

So how do you balance-dress the wheel when you first mount it on the grinder ?

Read my first posting in this thread.

Originally Posted by brendan stemp

Read my first posting in this thread.

I did . You did not address the issue .

I am not asking you how you dressed that wheel , I am asking how the wheel is dressed .
Just because you did not have need do so , does not mean that there is never a need to do so .

So I ask you again ,
So how do you balance-dress the wheel when you first mount it on the grinder ?

Manuka,

Shouldn't you ask the manufacturer or agent about balancing? Having a go at Brendan is the wrong way to find out. It comes over that way to me.

Cheers

Originally Posted by Manuka Jock

So how do you balance-dress the wheel when you first mount it on the grinder ?

I might jump in here, if that's OK with Brendan...

Other abrasive wheels, which are made entirely (other than metal arbor) from abrasive grit and bonding material are first pressed into a mould, then fired in a kiln, and, as a result, are prone to some some variation/distortion.

Whereas nearly all the mass of a diamond wheel is a precisely machined metal disk onto which is bonded a thin layer of diamond matrix that comprises no more than about 5 or 6% of the overall wheel dimensions. The only material that can vary in this structure is the thin layer of bonding material holding the diamond particles. Any variation is likely to be negligible on a quality diamond wheel.

If the arbor is a tight fit and the shaft is running true, then it should run true straight out of the box. If it doesn't, send it back!

If a diamond wheel requires 'dressing' as a result of uneven wear then the only thing that will do that is diamond in a stronger bond. This will tear the diamonds out of the softer bond. EDIT: Just remembered that there is another (cheaper) method.... see subsequent post

Hope that is more helpful than confusing....

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Originally Posted by Manuka Jock

I did . You did not address the issue .

I am not asking you how you dressed that wheel , I am asking how the wheel is dressed .
Just because you did not have need do so , does not mean that there is never a need to do so .

So I ask you again ,
So how do you balance-dress the wheel when you first mount it on the grinder ?

Could we try to keep it civil here?

Brendan contributed his first impressions of the diamond grinding wheel, I don't think he invited an interrogation

So, play nice please!

Originally Posted by NeilS

I might jump in here, if that's OK with Brendan...

Other abrasive wheels, which are made entirely (other than metal arbor) from abrasive grit and bonding material are first pressed into a mould, then fired in a kiln, and, as a result, are prone to some some variation/distortion.

Whereas nearly all the mass of a diamond wheel is a precisely machined metal disk onto which is bonded a thin layer of diamond matrix that comprises no more than about 5 or 6% of the overall wheel dimensions. The only material that can vary in this structure is the thin layer of bonding material holding the diamond particles. Any variation is likely to be negligible on a quality diamond wheel.

If the arbor is a tight fit and the shaft is running true, then they should run true straight out of the box. If it doesn't, send it back!

If a diamond wheel requires 'dressing' as a result of uneven wear then the only thing that will do that is diamond in a stronger bond. This will tear the diamonds out of the softer bond.

I think resin is a comparatively soft bond compared to, say, a sintered diamond bond. But, will go and check my facts on that just to make sure I'm right about that.

Hope that is more helpful than confusing....

.....

Thanks for that Neil .

Originally Posted by NeilS

If a diamond wheel requires 'dressing' as a result of uneven wear then the only thing that will do that is diamond in a stronger bond. This will tear the diamonds out of the softer bond.

.....

Just remembered that there is another (cheaper) method....

I dress my metal bonded diamond blades by slicing up old silicon carbide grinding wheels....

The diamond cuts the silicon carbide, but the silicon carbide wears the metal matrix away: allowing the surface diamonds to drop out exposing fresh ones. Can't see why this wouldn't also work with a resin bond.

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Originally Posted by NeilS

Just remembered that there is another (cheaper) method....

I dress my metal bonded diamond blades by slicing up old silicon carbide grinding wheels....

The diamond cuts the silicon carbide, but the silicon carbide wears the metal matrix away: allowing the surface diamonds to drop out exposing fresh ones. Can't see why this wouldn't also work with a resin bond.

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You might be on to it there Neil .
Any idea how deep/ thick the diamond-resin layer is on those wheels ?

From the photo , it looks to be about an inch

Thanks Neil, I've learnt something about grinding wheels.

I'm interested to see how it wears and so far it's still flat after 1 1/2 days of regular use (I sharpen a lot). Interesting point: I compared the finish off the diamond wheel (120 grit) with that off a Al Oxide wheel ( Also 120 grit) and diamond wheel is significantly better. Another advantage of the wheel is that the diameter keeps constant without the wear factor so the radius on the grind will be the same over time.

To you Brendan. Sounds good.

And to Neil. I wonder if that is the way to clean a Jewel Tool set-up?

Originally Posted by Manuka Jock

Any idea how deep/ thick the diamond-resin layer is on those wheels ?

About 6mm on that brand.

Originally Posted by artme

I wonder if that is the way to clean a Jewel Tool set-up?

Sorry, don't know.

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Just as a BTW in the US you can now get diamond coated power sanding discs. About USD18 each!

Originally Posted by rsser

Just as a BTW in the US you can now get diamond coated power sanding discs. About USD18 each!

C'mon Ern, you're slipping. You usually provide a handy link to save us searching time.