Chris Stolicky
01-06-2010, 11:12 AM
I know there have been many discussions about grinder wheels, and I have searched many of them....
The quick question is - Does anyone know what the equivalent hardness level is for the 120 grit wheel that comes on the WC slow speed grinder? i.e. I, K, something else? I am posting this in the Turner's forum because mostly what I sharpen these days are various turning tools.
Here is my situation...
Like many of us, I have accumulated over time many means of sharpening my tools. I currently have a couple of setups:
- A delta variable speed grinder - standard rough gray wheel, and a Norton 3X 80 grit, K hardness wheel (with PSI sharpening jigs).
- A WC slow speed grinder with the 60 grit and 120 grit that came with it (w/ wolverine jigs).
- I also have a Tormek (bought it pre-owned).
By the way - I think both the WC grinder and wolverine jigs are much nicer than the delta grinder and PSI jigs. The Tormek is great but has its relative strengths and weaknesses. Sorry for the tangent....
Here is the deal....
I recently had a bit of a snafu and took a chunk out of the 120 grit wheel on the WC grinder. Lesson learned, pay attention and don't stand on slippery floors when you dragged in snow! Anyway, I don't trust the wheel any more and would lose a lot of the wheel if I tried to true it, if even possible. So, I am going to replace it. I have found that I like the hardness (softness?) of this wheel, and the relative grit. The Norton 3X 80 grit K is a nice wheel, but I find (w/ my current level of ability) it cuts the metal a little too fast for my liking. I was originally leaning towards one of the 150 Norton AO wheels, but decided it might be a little too extreme.
So, I know that some people think the Norton 3X I hardness wheels are a bit soft, but I am wondering if they are anything like what the WC grinder comes with. If that is the case, there both a 100 grit and a 120 grit option.
Experience with these wheels and related comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
The quick question is - Does anyone know what the equivalent hardness level is for the 120 grit wheel that comes on the WC slow speed grinder? i.e. I, K, something else? I am posting this in the Turner's forum because mostly what I sharpen these days are various turning tools.
Here is my situation...
Like many of us, I have accumulated over time many means of sharpening my tools. I currently have a couple of setups:
- A delta variable speed grinder - standard rough gray wheel, and a Norton 3X 80 grit, K hardness wheel (with PSI sharpening jigs).
- A WC slow speed grinder with the 60 grit and 120 grit that came with it (w/ wolverine jigs).
- I also have a Tormek (bought it pre-owned).
By the way - I think both the WC grinder and wolverine jigs are much nicer than the delta grinder and PSI jigs. The Tormek is great but has its relative strengths and weaknesses. Sorry for the tangent....
Here is the deal....
I recently had a bit of a snafu and took a chunk out of the 120 grit wheel on the WC grinder. Lesson learned, pay attention and don't stand on slippery floors when you dragged in snow! Anyway, I don't trust the wheel any more and would lose a lot of the wheel if I tried to true it, if even possible. So, I am going to replace it. I have found that I like the hardness (softness?) of this wheel, and the relative grit. The Norton 3X 80 grit K is a nice wheel, but I find (w/ my current level of ability) it cuts the metal a little too fast for my liking. I was originally leaning towards one of the 150 Norton AO wheels, but decided it might be a little too extreme.
So, I know that some people think the Norton 3X I hardness wheels are a bit soft, but I am wondering if they are anything like what the WC grinder comes with. If that is the case, there both a 100 grit and a 120 grit option.
Experience with these wheels and related comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.