Thread: My Search for the Perfect Sharpening System

Originally Posted by Colin62

It's perfectly usable for what I need even with the stock wheels, and I'm in no rush to get the CBN wheel (I will still get it, but it's not urgent as the existing wheels are pretty good and I don't want to waste them).

I fully concur with that as I bought one a while ago. Perfectly balanced, straight out of the box, and I can't overheat them. I use the Tormek jigs with mine and when the grinding wheels wear down I'll also get the CBN wheels.


Good choice.


Peter.

In the realm of AlOx wheel innovation, IME the Norton SG (or 3x) wheels are great all-rounders. Here in Aus they're 3-4x more expensive than white, pink or ruby but well worth it in terms of slow rate of glazing and keeping true. Only come in #46 and #80 though.

See Jim Davey Planes & Sharpening - eShop - Sales - Abrasives & Grinding

CBN wheels are like variable speed lathes. Once you have one, you will never go back. Just way too many advantages. Perhaps the only down side is the price, which is more than standard wheels, but they are worth every penny and a far better value. I am a platform sharpener. I blame Allan and Stuart Batty for starting me on that. For production turning, if you think of all the times you put a gouge in a jig, then take it out, and compare that to just putting it on a platform, it is a huge time savings. Any one who has basic turning skills has all the necessary skills for platform sharpening. Anchor the tool on the tool rest, rub the bevel, and cut. Like Yogi Berra said, 'it is 90% mental, and 10% in your head'.

robo hippy

New-material wheels have been hashed over in this forum extensively.

Peeps I respect, as I do you Reed, speak well of the CBN. Already having a diamond resin bond wheel I'm not ready to make the change but maybe in time.

I gather CBN is optimal for HSS inc. high vanadium varieties.

The price of the Norton 3X wheels in relation to diamond and CBN still make them worth investigating IMO for those on limited budgets but who want something more versatile and easier to live with than white, pink or ruby AlOx wheels. The slow rate of wear attests to the makers' claims and they more importantly work well with high carbon tools which is important when you pick up shaggy dog bench chisels or plane blades that need tough love.

The best recent article on Grinding Wheels that I have read was written by Bill Neddow; sadly passed away now.

Only quibble I had was his comment that "on metals with a ferrous content the diamond literally disappears". I know that is the advice given by the abrasives industry, but having both CBN and diamond wheels I can't say that has been my experience.

But, if I had neither, I would probably start with a CBN wheel, which are now cost competitive with diamond. That is only a recent development. One advantage of diamond is that it also does tungsten, if that is a consideration.

And, if I had a good new alox wheel that came with a new grinder I would probably also use that up for a while before parting with the extra dollars for either a CBN or diamond wheel. Call me McNeil...

I use dry grinding with aloxide for shaping tools, I have a 7inch high speed Baldor, and a Tormek T7 for sharpening. Both have the tool rest that Tormek sels. The first works great if you have a soft touch and you need it only once, the second is marvelous for the final sharpening and takes not more that 20 seconds of work. This sistems is excellent in my opinion for all type of steels and also for shaping soft metals.
Regards.