Tool sharpening

H

hoodlum

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Been looking at a couple of different tool grinders for sharpening lathe bits,and touching up carbide from time to time,but man....Those things are EXPENSIVE!!!! Has anyone ever used one of the belt/disc sander units for sharpening? I don't see any reason they shouldn't work...They have a compound table for setting angles,and can be had for a bit over $100....Much cheaper than a tool grinder....Any thoughts?
Hoodlum
 
hoodlum said:
Has anyone ever used one of the belt/disc sander units for sharpening?
Hoodlum
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many people use a belt sander to grind HSS (not carbide though). works pretty well. and you don't get the hollowing that a wheel will give you. the only thing is there are many types/sizes of belt sanders, some better than others - make sure it has a good backing to keep a straight and safe cut.
 
There are different abrasive belts that are more suitable for sharpening the HSS. Of the top of my head I cannot remember the name of the abrasive media but if you check out Norton or even Georgia Abrasives you should be able to get some info.
 
Froneck said:
I use only diamond wheels on carbide, they are available used on eBay cheap, others that are made in China are cheap too.

Frank
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Could you provide a link to one on fleabay? I tried searching for diamond wheel but really have no idea what I'm looking for. I've got 8" and 10" bench grinders. If you could just point to the correct type I can keep looking there until I find one cheap, I just don't want to end up spending money I don't have on a diamond cutoff wheel or some other oddity.
thanks
Joe
 
But what type of wheel does it take? If I'm understanding the photo it doesn't come with any wheel?
 
I bought one of the HF tool grinders for $169 and quite honestly it is a good unit after a little tuning up. It did come with 2 wheels and just within the past couple of months ENCO had their diamond wheels for 50% off and I picked one up to use on the tool grinder. Although I had to counterbore the mounting holes, the wheel is of good quality and works very well on carbide. If you have a bench grinder, you might want to consider getting a silicon carbide wheel but if you only plan on sharpening HSS, the aluminum oxide wheels will work fine.
 
Scrap,
They have that grinder on sale sometimes and if your lucky you can use an extra 20% off coupon on it too. Not too much tech on this tool so it will be just fine and do a great job. I'm like you, I hate to buy cheap tools and having to spend more money to replace them again later. I'm pretty picky about HF stuff and would give this one an official Okee Dokee especially if you can use a coupon.
Bob
 
Rbeckett said:
Scrap,
They have that grinder on sale sometimes and if your lucky you can use an extra 20% off coupon on it too. Not too much tech on this tool so it will be just fine and do a great job. I'm like you, I hate to buy cheap tools and having to spend more money to replace them again later. I'm pretty picky about HF stuff and would give this one an official Okee Dokee especially if you can use a coupon.
Bob
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That's kind of what I'm thinking. I hate buying cheap tools *but* I don't like wasting money either and have a real hard time justifying one of these...

110-500.eps.jpg

Baldor tool grinders for ten times (no exaggeration) the price I would pay on a HF unit.

-Ron
 
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