latest Vortex victim.....

[Walt Caza]

Good Day to All Spinny Creekers,
This is the first time I dip my toe into the Turning branch of our Creek.
I find myself teetering on the edge of the Vortex...
I've been doing my homework (research),
rolling my coins (saving),
and bracing my wife (fair warning).

Despite understanding that all my extra time and money may be
sucked into another flavour of woodworking,
I am either brave or foolish enough to proceed...
I just wanna turn some wood.
[then have at, and let slip the dogs of war]

I have today just placed an order for my first lathe, sight unseen.
[once more into the breach, men ... and ladies---eek]

I know the unwritten rule ... No pics, never happened...
So, I will show and tell of my machine once I get and assemble it.
[or risk the wrath of the pic police]

In sleepless anticipation of the new arrival,
I am trying to get my ducks in a row.
[quack... did someone step on a duck?]

I am seeking input about sharpening lathe tooling.
I have already decided I will first try dry grinding. [less mess]
I aim to use a Wolverine jig with an 8" bench grinder.[headstart until I learn more]

So many issues up in the air.
I am trying to get my hands on a bench grinder that offers enough
spindle length to support the OneWay Balancing system.
According to the Lee Valley catalog, you need 2.25" of room on 5/8" shaft.
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=49226&cat=1,43072

Even LV states that the grinder wheels they carry are unbalanced.
Balancing claims to improve noise, walking, finish and extend wheel and bearing life.
Oneway's system requires the grinding wheels to have a 1" mounting hole.

The low speed general bench grinder I just bought, will probably have to be returned.
The wheels are only 8" dia by 3/4" wide.
I now know the more usual format is a full 1 inch wide.
The spindle length is shy of 2 inches, and the included wheels have 5/8" holes.
(that's 3 strikes, for those who are counting...)

The grinder's stock cup washers/flanges will be replaced with Oneway's precision hubs.
Oneway says a high speed grinder (3450rpm) is fine, and that as
the wheels wears to a smaller diameter, it would need to be spun faster.

The dual or variable speed bench grinders are sigificantly more spendy.
Some come equipped with innapropriate wheels which would want upgrading.
My greatest obstacle is that I cannot lay my hands on another grinder
candidate to measure the spindle length before buying...
and the only way I can buy one in Canada, is to send away for one.

Can anyone tell me which bench grinder model they are using with Oneway's balancing system,
in the hopes that I might be able to get one?

My mail-order options are the Delta variable speed GR450,
Dewalt's DW758, or a different model by General.
Otherwise, I could mail-order internationally, from WoodCraft.
Which takes big time, big money, big border hassles and big paperwork.(ick)
I would prefer not to make another purchase, until I can confirm adequate
shaft length for the balance kit.(uggh)

Thanks for any insight shared,
sign me,
another wannabe woodturner
Walt

ps ...on the outside, looking in with envy

[Steve Schlumpf]

Walt, I've been waiting for your announcement! Looking forward to seeing the photos of your new lathe........ when that happens!

I use a Woodcraft 8" slow speed grinder with wheels from Hartville Tool. I also use the Oneway Balancing System and it does make a difference in vibration!

You already know about Woodcraft, so here are the links to the grinding wheels I use - a 120 grit and a 150 grit.

http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/12888
http://www.hartvilletool.com/product/10846

You're going to love turning! Let us know if you have a question or two! LOL

[alex carey]

Looks like Steve has got you covered, just thought I'd say welcome to the vortex, it seems your no longer teetering but already in.

[Rusty Smith]

Welcome Walt and thanks. You just taught me something. I knew nothing about the Oneway Balancing System. I will definatly be checking into that for my Woodcraft slow speed grinder.

[George Morris]

Run Walt Run!! It is a very deep vortex you are entering! Welcome!! G

[Jim Kountz]

Welcome to the vortex Walt, glad you're going to join us!!
By the way, what lathe did you go with??

[Ryan Baker]

Welcome to the vortex, Walt.

You are off to a good start. Steve has the right answer for you: Woodcraft slow-speed grinder with a Wolverine.

Note that I have the Delta VS GR450 and I would strongly recommend that you stay away from it -- it will give you more trouble than it is worth to get the wheels spinning true. Find a Woodcraft grinder that doesn't have too much wheel wobble.

I do highly recommed the OneWay balancing system. It's worth it just to replace the crappy flanges on most inexpensive grinders. It does make a big difference.

BTW ... dry grinding is WAY messier than a wet grinder. I have both. One gets metal dust all over, the other (Tormek) gets a few drops of water around. I recommend using the dry grinder for turning tools, but not because it is less messy.

Warm up the checkbook and get ready to enjoy some turning!

[Rob Mathis]

There is no such thing as a vortex.

Really it is all about dependency and addiction.


Welcome to Hell!
Ba hahahahaha

[George Morris]

I think a lot of us have need of a 12 step program!! G

[Mark Norman]

Thanks for the entertaing read Walt.:cool:

Welcome to the spinning world.
I need to get me a good grinder for sharpening and then I will turn more.

[Jeff Nicol]

Walt, It looks to me you have thought of everything, but then there will be many more things that will just pop up that you will have to have! Good luck with it all, I have a slow speed grinder that is the same as the one from Woodcraft, mine says manufactured by steel city on it but has a nice blue paint job rather than the dull gray of the woodcraft model. Mine spins perfect and no wobble or vibration at all with out any additions.

Have fun,

Jeff

[Tom Giacomo]

Welcome to the dark side of woodworking. Once you inter the vortex, cast all hope aside.

[Rob Cunningham]

Walt,
I know the feeling of anticipation waiting for a new lathe. It's not too late to get out though. Once the tool touches the spinning wood, you are hooked. Good luck with everything and let us see some pics when you get your lathe.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Welcome Walt to the spinning world and the deep black hole.:eek::D

[Don Orr]

Walt,

Do you have Sears in your area ? I have a Craftsman 8" dry bench grinder with 1" wide wheels. Been using it for several years with no problems. Don't know if they still make/sell them. Try searching their site. They may be able to order one for you to pick up at the store. Pretty sure it has a 5/8" shaft though, and I don't know the shaft length. I do not have the balancing system but have it running true. (I thought Oneway was making a version of the balancer for 5/8" shafts due to the popularity of the Woodcraft grinder.) It is a high speed grinder and works fine on HSS tools. I have a Wolverine system that I need to get set up-for now I am using a homemade version of the sliding V rest.

Welcome to the vortex !

[Steve Schlumpf]

Oneway makes the balance system to fit 1/2", 5/8" and 3/4" shafts. So, you should be able to find something that works. http://www.oneway.ca/sharpening/balancing.htm

[Don Orr]

Thanks for looking it up.

I also went to the Craftsman site and found an 8" grinder model #22018 for $230 ! I paid $99 for mine several years ago on sale.

Walt, you might want to look into Dewalt grinders. They have an 8" for about $150 that would be good.

Another thing to be aware of is the width of the grinder base. Some Dleta and others have a wide base that causes problems when mounting the Wolverine system under the wheels.

[Chip Sutherland]

You're driving skills will deteriorate as you look at every fallen tree you see....wishing you had your chainsaw with you. When you're really addicted you start wishing perfectly good trees would suddenly fall at your feet begging to be cut round and spun on your lathe.

[Harvey Ghesser]

Walt,

Check out the Baldor bench grinder. Smooth as silk.

Harv

[Walt Caza]

My thanks to all responders,
It seems Steve S. runs his 8" Norton wheels in 120x and 150x.
I was planning to go Norton 3x supercool blue in 80x (k-bond)
and a cool white 120x (h-bond) because they are readily available
to me through Lee Valley.
Do you find the smoother grit yields a noticeable keener edge?

Alex C. -ok, I guess I have passed teetering and officially slipped.
I was in denial. No doubt my brain trying to protect my wallet.

Rusty -While counterintuitive, rookies to anything can teach the more
informed, because they bring questions from new-mind.
When I teach drums, I enjoy the way newbies attack things!

George -tried to run, but slipped right in, with both feet

Jim -I will gladly reveal my new lathe once I can put my hands on it.
It has been a dream of mine for sooo looong, I hardly believe it's coming...
I don't dare jinx it! (and I don't even believe in jinxes?)

Ryan -your thumb's down on 450 model, thanks for your experience.
you taught me not only vibration, but wobble is bad too...
good insight that snorting metal dust is messy too!
(and perhaps less than healthy)

Rob M. -I can't wait to be addicted to the sound of peeling shavings,
rather than addicted to poring thru tool catalogs into the night(?)

George -Do they hold turner rehab meetings? I hear the first step is
to admit you have a problem...

Mark -Ya, I'm tryin' to get a decent tool grinder too...
I aim to amuse you more, by stumbling thru every rookie mistake.
Maybe even invent some new ones!

Jeff -I'll try not to get paralysis from over-analysis. Just trying to look
both ways before my hard-earned savings crosses the street!
Intriguing that yours runs true without add-ons... lucky guy

Tom -eek... dark side? Abandon hope all ye who enter here... aack

Rob C. -So the point-of-no-return is clearly chisel touching spinning wood?
Congrats on your new RN daughter... oops, wrong thread

Bernie -So not only is it a black hole... but it is also deep?
What kind of trap is this?? It's insidious, sinister, diabolical...

Don -Thanks for suggesting Sears. I guess I think of them as 'my Dad's'
hardware store. I seldom go near Sears.
Sears Canada offers two models, Sears US has a list of choices.
I will keep the yellow ones in play. Good warning on wide bases!

Chip -So now I will like it when trees fall down? Cool!
I was unaware that lumberjacking came along with turning...

Harvey -Well... ya! As a tool man the Baldors look impressive.
I have never seen one, and unsure I can get one in Canada,
but boy, they make good stuff! My cyclone has Baldor 5hp up
top... and the neighbours report their cat seems to be missing.
Details sketchy on if the two events are somehow related!
The only downside is... I might need to win the lottery first

My plan for now is a dragon with four heads:
-try to get the fresh General Int model 15-825 to serve my needs,
before returning it to seek an alternative. (I'm so loyal?)

-Creeker Gary Zimmel is sending me some wolverine components,
turns out he has 'extra', which will be another story, for another day.
Thanks in advance to GZ (my buddy 2000 miles away)

-I placed an order yesterday for other Oneway jig components
See, that didn't hurt a bit. Actually... it stung most memorably!
They say buy quality... and you only cry once?

-planning to score some grinder wheels from maybe Lee Valley, and soon

Thanks for the warm welcome and strong input,
hope you get some shop time,
Walt

ps next mission ... a nice shallow topic with few options... quest for lathe cutting tools... EEK

[Steve Schlumpf]

Walt

I like using the finer grits for sharpening because once you have the bevel formed the way you want it - all you want to do is use a light touch when sharpening to just refresh the edge. The other grit wheels - like the 80 - work great for forming the bevel but I sure wouldn't want it for everyday use.

[Randy Hoch]

I recommend ordering wheels directly from Oneway in Canada. Talk to Tim. He knows this topic well and is very opinionated about it. He recommends a different wheel for slow speed grinders. I just upgraded my wheels for my Woodcraft grinder and it works fine and makes a humongous difference. My first attempt at upgrade was Norton 3X wheels, neither of which would balance, so I returned them. (thank you Craft Supplies USA)
The cup flanges both need removing and replaced with the washer which is supplied in the Oneway balancing kit. The fit is perfect. As a matter of fact,
yesterday was my first day with the new set-up. This will undoubtedly improve my turning.

I've been turning now for a year and a half and like it even more than when I started. Good luck with your adventure!

Randy

[Bob Hallowell]

Congrads,
The first thing I would do is contact Leo and see how far he lives from you, if he's close enough go visit him as he has more turning talent in his pinky the most do in our whole bodies.

Bob