Grinding wheels

[Jon Lanier]

Going to need to replace my wheels. I have a Slow Speed Grinder from Woodcraft. I understand there is probably better wheels out there. So give it to me straight. (most likely the only things this will grind are my lathe tools.)

[Bernie Weishapl]

Jon I don't know if these are the best wheels but I got the Norton 32A 60 grit and 100 grit from CSUSA. I really like them and they do a great job on my tools. They don't groove like the white wheels that come with the grinder. They are in my opinion 10 times better than the white wheels that come on the woodcraft slow speed grinder and they don't break the bank.

[Clint Baxter]

Had good luck with the Norton 3X wheels. They've got I-grade, bit softer and more friable that run cooler and K-grade that run hotter but won't groove as easily and are designed for the harder steels such as you might have in PM or HSS lathe tools.

They "supposedly" run truer out of the box, but when I got mine and mounted them on the grinder, had a lot of vibration from something being out of balance. (May have been from the cheap backing washers on the grinder.) Consequently, I picked up the Oneway balancing system and mounted the stones accordingly and have superb grinding capabilities.

The stones are going to run you a few dollars more, (can get K-grade wheels from HartvilleTool.com for $43 each), but are definitely worth the outlay.

Good Luck, Clint

[RL Johnson]

I agree with Clint for the money the Norton 3X wheels are hard to beat. There are better and more expensive wheels out there but they beat the heck out of the white Chinese wheels that comes with the Woodcraft grinder.

[John King]

In my opinion, Norton SG wheels are the only way to go. A bit more expensive than others, but well worth the price. Check them out at http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store/Sharpening___Grinders___Wheels___Norton_SG_Wheel__ _norton_sg?Args=. - John

[Gordon Seto]

Get the Norton 3X "K" wheels(only come in 46 & 80 grit); they hold up better than the "I". I got the "I" and returned it, because it grooved too bad for turning tools. The wheel has to be dressed & trued very often. The excessive wear would run up the actual cost.
I also have the SG wheel. It is nicer, but IMO, it is not 2 to 3 times better than the Norton 3X "K". I would use that price premium to buy the Oneway wheel balancer.

[Jon Lanier]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the input. I knew there had to be something better than the woodcraft wheels.

[Chuck Mack]

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=32981&cat=1,43072,43080

carried by Lee Valley.

The 80 grit wheel on my grinder has been around for 4, 5 years now and still going strong. LV also has the 3x grade K wheels:

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=62012&cat=1,43072,43080

[Paul Douglass]

This is the best price I have found. I have never ordered from here but have read where others say they recieved good service.

http://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/Norton-3X-Blue-Grinding-Wheel-K-Grade-P101C20.aspx

[Scott Crumpton]

I'm currently using Norton 3x 120grit I wheels. Love the edges I get with the 120 grit, but the wheels groove too easily. Does anyone know where to buy K hardness wheels in 120 or even 150 grit?

[Bob Bergstrom]

The hardest Hartville Tools has is i grade in a 120. They list an 80 grit in k but nothing harder.I think it is a heat issue. With the finer grit the "I" grade just runs cooler. Both the 100 and 120 only come in "I" grade. They have been on sale for $42.96 for quite a while.