Tool rest modification question - Baldor grinder

[bcall2043]

I dug my Baldor grinder out of storage today and got it mounted onto a stand, photos in “POTD”. I noticed that the cast tool rests are only machined on the top and are rough on the edges. I began to think about a way to make it easier to accurately dress the wheel and grind HSS tool bits. First I did a search and found Nelson’s post from Jim Hanrahan about his modification. http://www.hobby-machinist.com/show...nt-Tool-Bits-By-Jim-Hanrahan?highlight=baldor

My Baldor tool rest (photo below) is different than the one Jim shows. Mine has the top machined, kind of wraps the wheel, and other edges are rough cast. It appears to me that Jim may have made one from scratch.


My idea is to machine the front edge of the rest and using it as a guide for dressing the wheel and for grinding tools. Maybe make a little tool bit holder with a lip to make setting angle easy. Has anyone tried this method or see any issues with it?

Benny
The Orphanage Never Closes

 

[Dunc1]

I don't see a problem with your idea although you might want a more sophisticated arrangement to help you grind the necessary angles on tools. Yes, many tools can be ground freehand if you have the skills or time to learn.

There are many out there on the net but a couple come to mind:
1. Harold Hall's is designed for metalworking & has a range of add-ons to accept a large variety of tools
http://www.homews.co.uk/page145.html
2. Lee Valley (usual disclaimers) has one that has received high ratings from several reviews (including Fine Woodworking)
http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=32973&cat=1,43072,45938

 

[bcall2043]

I don't see a problem with your idea although you might want a more sophisticated arrangement to help you grind the necessary angles on tools.............tools can be ground freehand if you have the skills or time to learn.................

Dunc1,

Thanks for the links. I don't have the skills but do have time to learn or make some changes.

I have taken a closer look at the rests on the Baldor grinder and none of the surfaces are machined except on the top surface. Even the surface on the wheel guards where they mount is a cast surface. So each time you make an adjustment it would be moving the machined guide surface who knows where.

Benny
The Orphanage Never Closes

 

[Halligan142]

If you don't want to go through the hassle of all the modifications good freehand results can be obtained by using a protractor against the wheel and drawing your desired angle on the toolrest with a sharpie. Now you have a visual guide for your eye and hands to follow. When you need to make a different angle the sharpie comes off with an alcohol wipe and you can make your new angle. If you do remachine the rest just make sure that back edge is as parallel to the wheel as you can get it if you're using it as a guide for a diamond dresser. Personally I've found the good old spikey wheel dresser to work better and a lot harder to put a nasty groove in your wheel with.

 

[bcall2043]

If you don't want to go through the hassle of all the modifications good freehand results can be obtained by using a protractor against the wheel and drawing your desired angle on the toolrest with a sharpie..................

Thanks for the tip. Sounds like a great way to grind a tool without a lot of hassle.

Benny
The Orphanage Never Closes