Wheels for Grinder? Gee Whilickers. Which ones?

[Joel Gelman]

On the 5 inch, that is what was mentioned, but maybe just kidding and it was 6 inches. I do recall Baldor, pretty sure 1/3 HP and definitely the slower speed

[Derek Cohen]

Garrett Hack and 6" grinder (at start) ...

[Derek Cohen]

... and 8" grinder ...



Regards from Perth

Derek

[steven c newman]

Still using my 6" grinder..with it's OEM wheels, one coarse, and one fine. Since I also need such a grinder for other, non-woodworking tasks....And limited space IN the shop...seems to be the perfect fit for MY shop....YMMV, of coarse...

[Joel Gelman]

On the Garrett Hack Videos 8 inch and 6 inch, the one with the 6 inch was at his shop. The one with the 8 inch was at a different location and perhaps that is what he was given to work with. For me, I will go with 6 inch even though I have 8 inch wheels and an 8 inch Delta grinder. I liked using the 6 inch wheel, and I trust my teacher's advice. I thought the topic would be of interest on this thread.

I came to better the appreciate the value of frequent touch up grinding-sharpening, and so I will make a special effort to setup the grinder and sharpening stones so that things are always ready to go to encourage use.

[John Kananis]

I have a 6, an 8 and a tormek with a 10 inch wheel. All my hand tools are hollow ground on the tormek. I personally don't see a reason for the 6 inch. I sharpen and hone on the steel plates from LV and use Norton waste-based diamond paste. 15 micron and 1/2 micron. I have 45 micron and a very coarse plate just in case but don't use those as much. Off the tormek, it takes about a minute to sharpen, if that.

Why do you need such a large hollow?

[Joel Gelman]

https://www.finewoodworking.com/proj...and-techniques

I came across this 2021 Fine Woodworking article last night. Not sure if you need to be a logged in subscriber to view. The author specifically mentions he prefers the 6 inch stating the hollow is better with the smaller wheel.

For me, I buy into the advantages of the smaller wheel. I see some are ok with the 3450 RPM but I will go with the slower speed. As for wheels, I see some prefer a friable wheel which will run cooler than certain other wheels, but I think I will go with 80/180 CBN. I see there are options with more flat across the surface vs slight crown, and I will seek the slight crown.

Seeing the setup at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship with 6 inch wheel and water stone sharpening method in use over the full week workshop (they did not use the CBN wheels), I will stick to hollow grinding and water stone sharpening.

Clearly, like with most things, there is not universal agreement, and this seems to be especially the case with sharpening!

[steven c newman]

There IS one very important tool to have....a Wheel Dresser. you can either dress a flat face to the friable wheels, or and a rounder shape IF you want. I tend to keep mine flat...

I also use that grinder for a lot of other, Non-sharpening tasks....

So, IF you buy the grinder and the wheels that come with it.....be sure to pick up the wheel dressing tool, as well.