[TheForge] Re: Carbide Grinder

[Kenneth Mayer]

>Date: Mon, 14 Oct 2002 13:39:06 -0400
>From: Barking Crow <mail@barkingcrow.com>
>
>Well we all had a good time at the FABA conference and a lot of equipment
>changed hands.  I sold two anvils and two post vises, which was all I had
>and I bought a 6"  MSC Carbide Grinder which has a 12 amp 1 HP motor and a
>white hollow aluminum backed wheel on one side and a greenlee 6" diamond
>wheel on the other side.  Both sides have a table that adjusts to 45
degrees
>and a slot for a sliding guide.  There is a waterpot that shifts from side
>to side but doesn't seem to hit the diamond surface.   It seems to run
>forever when I turn it off.  Needless to say I know next to nothing about
>sharpening carbide tools.  Does anyone know of a book or site that teaches
>carbide sharpening?  Also, what is the use for the inside of the hollow
>wheel?


Grind on the flat end of the wheel *only*, not the cylindrical surfaces.
iirc the MSC model is not reversible...Baldor is.  Being able to reverse it
is really handy.  If you can get to the motor start winding connections, you
can install a DPDT/center-OFF switch like the Baldor has.  The tilting
tables and sliding guide allow easy and precise grinding of the rake and
relief angles of cutting bits.  Use silicon carbide wheels for grinding
carbide bits or cast iron.  Diamond wheels are for fine finishing of HSS and
carbide tools.  Aluminum oxide wheels are also available for grinding HSS
and steel.  All the wheels are available in at least 3 grits.  Name brand
wheels start ~$50.  As with all grinding, don't let the tool overheat.  I
use a jar of water instead of the drip pot because I don't use it often.  A
1-2-3 (or similar) block is handy for extending the reach of the sliding
guide.  Get a 10x or 15x magnifier to look at the cutting edge after
grinding...you'll see if you're doing something wrong.  The wheel
combination on your machine is for rough and finish grinding of HSS.  You'll
need to change wheels if you want to grind carbide.  The silicon carbide
(green) wheels make a lot of loose grit...use the catch pans and vacuum
after grinding.  Keep the grinder located away from lathes, mills, and other
machines that have precision moving/sliding surfaces.

Ken
:-)