End Mill Sharpening

[Uglydog]

Does anybody sharpen their end mills?
I hand sharpen my drill bits with reasonable success.
I suspect that End Mills are much fussier.
Based on what I've read in other forums either a Darex (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-D9wwM3TCo) is required or don't bother and just purchase new.
Any other options?

 

[4GSR]

Uglydog,

I've sharpen a bunch over the years.

That Darex setup was not out at the time my dad bought his air spindle similar to a Weldon air spindle. I now have it. Its mounted on a Tiawain made cutter grinder that has been tipped over, half destroyed, and still works decent for the work I use it for. Haven't had much luck on grinding the ends on a endmill, still working on that. Here's a picture of my setup.

 

[churchjw]

I sharpen the ends of my 2 and 4 flute end mills on the surface grinder. I don't have the set up to do the sides of the flutes but most of mine just get small chips on the corners. Not sure it would be worth the time in a production shop but for a hobby shop its great.

Jeff

 

[george wilson]

I have a K.O. Lee "knockout",a small tool & cutter grinder. With that,I have a very old NON AIR Weldon end mill sharpener. It has all kinds of attachments,like for relieving taps. It works just fine. Not a frictionless sliding spindle like the air spindles,but still works just fine.

 

[Pacer]

I suspect that End Mills are much fussier.

This does indeed apply ...

For the home shopper, unless you really want to get into it, to have the capability to properly restore EM's is generally not practicable. Other than the Darex you mentioned, there is another called the "Cuttermaster" that are 'smallish' (both of which, even used, still tend to run into the hundreds of dollars) Then there are the larger flooor standings units - generally referred to as 'Tool & Cutter Grinders', which can often be had somewhat cheaper, but are designed to accept multiple fixtures that are usually missing! Then there are a couple of home built grinders that plans are offered for, with them being rather involved and requiring a well equipped shop and some pretty advanced skills.

So, I would suggest if you do want to pursue this, put in some research time and learn the terminology used in the machines and the end mills. Oddly enough there is precious little info on the actual method of grinding of an EM - Tho with you tube entering our lives more and more, there may be something there now.

 

[joconnor]

I just finished cleaning up my recently acquired Clarkson tool and cutter grinder. I'm looking forward to cleaning up some of my cutters. It should be an interesting learning process.