Tool Tutorial

Woodshop grinders

These grinders can be used to sharpen steel hand tools like gouges, hand planes, and chisels. Using these machines safely is not difficult, but achieving sharp edges takes patience and technique.

Parts of the grinding setup

1. Slow speed wet stone wheel
2. Leather strop wheel
3. Dry CBN wheel grinder
4. Power strip
5. CBN wheel accessories

General

This cart may be moved to a suitable location to be plugged in. 

Safety

• As with most spinning tools, do not use the grinders with loose hair, gloves, or clothing.
• Be aware that it is top-heavy, and be careful when navigating over cords.

Wet stone grinder

This grinder was a used donation, whose wheels arrived out of true. The stone wheel was trued and may be improved, but the leather stropping wheel is permanently wobbly.

This wheel is for putting a finer edge on woodworking tools like chisels and hand planes. It must be used with enough water in the trough to reach the wheel and create a wet surface.

The only accessory available for this grinder is the tool rest and F-shaped mounting bracket, which is adjustable using the screws at the top. It can be positioned vertically or horizontally.

CBN wheel grinder

CBN wheels are nearly as hard as diamond, and can be used to dry-grind tools. They remove material quickly, and are good for removing large chips from cutting edges. The current finest grit is 350, which can be sharp enough for some applications. Tools like chisels and plane irons will benefit from additional sharpening on a wet stone.

They are less likely to heat up and burn your tools, but it is still possible. Very little pressure is needed to make a cut.

The CBN grinder has its own accessories, whose use is detailed in the instruction manuals.