Will a 6" grinder work?

[James Carmichael]

Yeah, I know, 8" and slower speed is preferred, but persuading SWMBO I need to sink another pair of c-notes into a grinder, jig, and turning tools right after Christmas will be a hard sell.

[David Walser]

Yes, a 6" grinder will work.

[Dennis Peacock]

Any grinder will work. It's just that all the jigs and such are geared towards the standard 8" wheel. Besides that, one can very easily drop a couple or more C-Notes on turning tools alone. DAMHIKT!!!

[Jim Becker]

The only downside to a 6" grinder is that the hollow grind will be "deeper". Many 6" grinders also use narrower wheels. And what Dennis said about jigs being primarily designed to work best with the larger wheels.

[Jim Underwood]

It's what I've been using....

[Thor Sorensen]

I use a 6" grinder, because it was free. Will upgrade to an 8" slow speed when I have the funds. So far I have been sharpening free hand and getting pretty good results. If you do not have turning tools yet, I suggest getting one of the off brand sets, like the Pinnacle from Woodcraft, rather than Sorby or another more expensive brand. They are both rated as the same hardness steel, but you get 2 more tools for less $$. That means when you are learning to sharpen you don't worry about grinding it all away. Before I got my tools I was using a friends Sorby and I cannot tell the difference in the steel. Some of the more experienced users may be able to. The handle shape is a little different.

[Jim Ketron]

It will work just fine!
If you get something like the Wolverine set up you will need to add some blocks under the grinder base.
I used a 6" grinder for over 2 years probably still would be using it if I didn't catch the Woodcraft 8" grinder on sale.

[James Carmichael]

Thanks for the replies!

Now, how bout wheels? I know the "old grey wheels" have to go. I think my beginners book recommends 60 & 120 white AO.

Yes, I know, that's about 1/2 the cost of the Woodcraft 8", but the 6" Delta grinder was a freebie, new in the box and still unused.

[John Terefenko]

If I were you and like you said you have the box and is brand new. Try taking it back to Lowes and say it was a Christmas present but you do not have the receipt. If anything maybe they will give you store credit if not refund the price. You can always buy something in there. Then get the slow speed grinder 8" from Woodcraft even though it is not on sale it comes with white wheels that are good enough for sharpening. Just a thought.

[John Hart]

I've been using the 6" all along. Put a white wheel on it(120) and still have the 80 on the other side. It's been working fine as far as I can tell. I didn't pay much for the white wheel (maybe $10? Don't remember)

[Jim Becker]

My preference is 80 and 100 grit for wheels...I find that 120 heats too much and with frequent sharpening, you don't really gain much advantage.

[John Hart]

...I find that 120 heats too much and with frequent sharpening, you don't really gain much advantage.

That's very true...I do get some excessive heat from my 120. Forces me to do "light" sharpening. Din't know it was the wheel's fault. Think I'll get me a 100! Thanks Jim.

[Jim Becker]

Hartville Tool carries the Norton 3X wheels (greenish/bluish white) and they are fantastic...especially with the OneWay balancing system. My $60 8" grinder runs like a precision machine with those wheels on it. BTW, David Ellsworth is the one who clued me into the 100 grit wheels being preferable over the 120 grit wheels.

[Joe Melton]

I don't understand why 8" is better than 6". If you're riding the bevel, as you are supposed to, isn't a gouge with an edge made on a 6" grinder going to cut more aggressively? It was my impression that some turners prefer 6" wheels for that reason.
And, isn't M2 high-speed steel resistant to the burning that carbon steel gets from high-speed grinders? I thought the grinder speed was irrelevant with high-speed steel tools.
Joe

[James Carmichael]

As usual, you're a wealth of knowledge Jim.

Thanks!