LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

sharpening with a bench grinder(which way should the wheels turn?)

11K views 11 replies 8 participants last post by  madcap 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I got a set of razor sharp wheels for my bench grinder and the instructions say the wheels should be turning away from the sharp edge. My bench grinder wheels turn down, which would be the opposite of what they suggest. Should I go to the back of the grinder so the wheels are turning up?
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
As I understand the Razor Sharp system, it is a honing system you use similar to the leather honing wheel on the Tormex system. If you check their web site, it shows the wheels being used on a buffer, not a grinder. A grinder cuts into the metal to sharpen as observed above, but a honing wheel works by polishing the edge by spinning away from it-when you hone on a leather surface you pull the sharp edge away from the edge not push the edge into the leather surface. The Razor Sharp wheel needs to be turning away from the edge, not into the edge as the latter will cause the blade to catch/cut into the wheel and be thrown downward. Also, if you're not clear on how to use the Razor Sharp Wheel, the web site has a telephone number and I strongly recommend you call and make sure you understand how to use the wheel as cutting into the wheel as it rotates towards the edge could result in a nasty accident.
 
#7 ·
thank you, hillbillyshooter- that was what I was worried about since the edges are somewhat soft I didn't want it to catch the edge. And since they are honing wheels and not grinding wheels, they really don't throw much debris or sparks. I read the instructions but they were confusing. For knives and scissors it was clear that the wheel should not turn towards the cutting edge, but the instructions for woodworking tools were not very clear…I will see if the video can help clear it up. thanks! if anyone has these wheels
 
#9 ·
See the following link for what I think Bill White is strongly recommending for safety reasons:

http://www.grizzly.com/catalog/2012/Main/220

Note the knife appears to be a lock back, so be careful not to place your fingers where any blade could close and cut-be careful and use common sense to avoid injury.
 
#12 ·
It depends on what you are grinding. Most of the time you will want to have the wheel turning down but if you are sharpening wood chisels you will get better results if the wheel is turning up. With most grinders you don't have a choice. Many carvers use a belt driven wheel and buffer on a mandrill. Worked for me
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top