Slow speed grinders

[Dusty Depue]

Hi, I'm new here and new to wwing also. I have always had a knack for sharpening blades (knives) and prefer to use a leather strop. However, I would like to progress to a powered version. Can anyone give advise on the slow speed grinders at 1750 rpm? Will this speed with a felt wheel and a buffing compound or jewellers rouge overheat the metal? I would only use it to put the final edge on a blade.
Another question: can a grinder be used with an electronic speed control?

Thanks for any replies.

[tod evans]

welcome dusty. i use a 1750 buffer with a homemade wheel and rouge. i don`t like "buffing" wheels because even the hard felt will roll over the edge somewhat. i glued leather to a baltic disc and polish on the face not the edge. ........02 tod

[Rick Lizek]

No, a felt wheel it will not overheat the metal. Speed controllers will only work on motors with brushes such as routers, not on bench grinders.