Blue wheels - all the same?

[James Carmichael]

I've been reading up on the various wheels, seems blue or "SG" grade made of ceramic alumina are the best, but are they they same from all manufacturers?

My local Woodcraft carries Camel blue wheels.

[Jim Becker]

There are several "best" types...OneWay's expensive wheels are blue, for example, and are really good. The Norton 3X wheels I now run are premium wheels and are a light-greenish/blue color. I had one of the blue Woodcraft wheels awhile back in 60 grit and it performed well, but was not nearly as "in balance" as the 3X wheels were out of the box. (I now use the OneWay wheel balancing system and can't imagine grinding without it at this point...significant difference in the lack of vibration, etc.)

Bottom line...it's not the color...it's the wheel type and grade that counts.

[Gordon Seto]

Has anybody any experience with the North 3X SG wheels from Hartville Tools? They cost less than one half what CSUSA charges for their SG wheels. Are they the same thing?

Gordon

[Jim Becker]

Gordon, the wheels I use are the Norton 3X and I happened to get them from Hartville. I use 80 grit and 100 grit wheels for turning tools and really like the 3X stones.