What great timing. I was about to order a couple of CBN wheels when I came across this video. I just got off the phone with Karen at Wood Turners Wonders and ordered their combo CBN package. Thank you!
Despite having worked as an engineer for 51 years I've never yet used a CBN wheel, but having just seen this video I'm most impressed by it's potential, and also with the presentation and clarity of this video. Full marks to James Hamilton for this one. No irrelevant waffle, Good camera shots, and he's clearly a bloke who understands how to communicate. Thanks James, Now I'll have to start saving up.
I’ve seen other videos on CBN wheels but this is by far the best explanation on what they are and how they work. Your video footage was much better than others I’ve see too. This was excellent. Thanks.
I'm a turner, I could only afford one last year at the ATL show, I got the 350 grit and could not be happier. It cuts plenty fast to keep my gouges sharp and leaves a sharper edge than my old 180 AO wheel. It ran true right out of the box and it is was a game changer for me. It was more aggressive when new but a year later it has only mellowed a small amount, it still cuts pretty fast. When the tool is making contact there is absolutely no bounce or tracking issues like regular wheels do. Get some this is a great product. I have no affiliation with Ken and this testament is all my personal experience with his wheels. I also have his little card hones and they are great for quick touch ups in between sharpenings to finish a project.
I bought a CBN wheel last winter to mount on my new Delta 8" grinder in my unheated shop. I found that in very cold weather the grinder couldn't handle the weight of the CBN wheel without blowing the internal time delay fuse. Not an issue in warm weather. I now use a large socket in my drill to rev the grinder up to speed before turning it on. This seems to have solved the cold weather issue. I also keep a handful of fuses on hand, but it's a pain to unmount the grinder and open up the base to get to the fuse.
I was looking at getting a bench grinder yesterday and held off (replacing my very old and now broken grinder). SO glad i watched this because the information in this video was GREAT! I just ordered a bench grinder / 2 wheel combo from Wood Turners Wonder and i'm looking forward to getting it!
This is new to me Stumpy, Many moons gone by I served an apprenticeship as a tool maker. Half my day would be spent over the bench grinder, When I Finished the apprenticeing, So did my trade. I became a Jack of all triads, And master of none.
i bought one off of a truck sale about 18 years ago for $20. i still have it and it still works just like when i first got it. i did have to change out the switch after awhile but found the screw holes were the same spacing as an ordinary light switch so i used one of those as replacement. of course i have changed out the wheels a time or two and added a wire brush on one side. it was the best addition i could have made to the bench grinder. they are great to have in one's home shop along with a compressor, a vice and a welder. none of which i would want to do without as they do save lots of time and money. of course various hand and power tools are for sure included in one's shop.
I have shook hands with Gordie Howe and almost lost use of my hand. New the Howe boys from high school. I now live in Oregon. Getting older and looking to do some wood working when I stop work working in woods. Plenty of old growth scraps just laying around on the slopes. Pacific yew and Wild Cherry are nice. Appreciate you covering A-Z in a old school delivery like when many could not read or write.
I have had CBN wheels for a few years. They are the best thing out there for a grinder! Many more grits and styles available today. I may convert my other grinder to CBN but with higher grits.
Thanks for the vid! FYI- for those folks still using their bench grinder for grinding non-hardened steel (lawnmower blades, etc) I highly recommend buying a cheap 1in belt sander from Harbor Freight, and buying top grade ceramic belts in your desired grit. They cut faster, run cooler, don't plug up or wear down as fast. In my personal experience, this combo has been the fastest, most cost effective way to sharpen crude edges, such as lawnmower blades, pruners, shears, machetes, etc.
I love my CBN wheels from Woodturning Wonders. Ken gives great service. I have an 80 grit and 180 grit on my bench grinder that I use for Woodturning scrapers and an 800 grit on my Jet Wet Grinder. One of the really big advantages of using the CBN wheel on this grinder is, NO WATER! I think it grinds a better edge faster than the water stone that came with the grinder. One issue with the CBN wheels is the metal particles that come off of the wheels. I have some large rare earth magnets attached to my tool rests that become quite fuzzy with metal particles.
hi, 80 and 180 grit are only for scrapers and 800 for woodturning chisel and gouge? i dono speak very well english and dont understande more of the video. now i have a 60 grit carbide and 120 aluminium oxide for wood turning
The matrix that the CBN is bound to is and will continue to be the problem with both diamond and CBN abrasive tools. the materials are "slippery" and very difficult to sinter. Finding a base matrix that will hold the abrasive and not break up, has been the biggest issue with CBN and diamond. Tungsten and tungsten alloys are the best but very expensive for this type application it would be both costly and way too heavy for a small bench grinder use. . so often steel alloys are used and they do what you are experiencing.
Very Good Video, you will be a great channel for years to come, with your informative and straightforward approach. Thanks for the information brother!
Not bad, from some one who had the old CBN wheels which were a matrix bonded to an aluminum hub, then switched to D Way when they first came out. A few things I would add. One, the life span of the wheel depends on how much you use it. For a production turner, they last about 5 or so years. For the home hobbyist, I would agree that they can last pretty much forever. They are spin and bubble balanced by the manufacturers, so they will run true. One source of wobble is the standard nut that comes with the grinders. They are not fine machined so they can apply off center pressure, which can make the wheel wobble. That is what those helical washers can fix. I would guess that I could take my standard washers and chuck them up, then turn them dead flat on both sides, and then they should run true. Another concern is the metal dust from these wheels. It does float around the shop like wood dust does. One turner hung a magnet 6 feet away from his grinding station, and the magnet got covered by dust. Especially with some of the exotic metals we turners use, like M42 HSS, and V10, that stuff is not good in the lungs. At present, there are no hobby level metal dust collection systems for grinders. I would want a hood of some sort, and one of those air scrubbers, placed far enough away so that any sparks would be dead by the time they got to the filters, and that should work fine. You can not get M2 HSS hot enough to lose the temper of the metal on CBN wheels. With the bench chisels and plane irons, you can. so easy does it for any shaping you need to do. Once the angles are set, touch up only takes seconds, so no overheating or temper loss problems. As you said, they are made for any 'hardened' metal, so bench chisels, older shovel blades, plane irons, and any high speed steels. I took an old almost worn out wheel and loaded it up with aluminum, copper, brass, and soft steel just to see what would happen. It took a couple of days, but using a turning scraper, it came off. I have found that some of the Trend lapping fluid to the bevel of my tools helps keep the wheel clean. I turn a lot of sloppy wet wood, and gunk can accumulate on the wheels. I don't like the hardened aluminum oxide cleaning sticks I have seen, which put a lot of dust into the air. You can take the wheel off, and soak it in some Simple Green or other cleaning solutions for a bit, and then hit it with a stiff bristle brush. That helps a lot. A little bit of soft material on the wheel won't ruin it, but best not to do it.... I have tried the Slick Stick that Ken sells, and am not sold on it as much for the wheels, but it does help keep the bandsaw blades cleaner. Totally agree with if you are only getting one wheel, then get the 180. That will be excellent for 90% of that you will need for lathe tools, and still pretty good for chisels and plane irons. The 600 grit would be a good second wheel, which comes in handy on turning tools for punky woods like big leaf maple. There is an ongoing debate about coarser edges cut faster and cleaner because the bigger teeth/serrations on the edges take longer to wear down and finer edges last longer and cut cleaner because there are more teeth so they last longer. Personally, I can't tell the difference. I do keep an 80 grit wheel handy if I have to do some shaping, but use the 180 the most. I do prefer the square edge wheels to the radius wheels, though the radius edge would be what I would sharpen a plane iron on because the edge of the wheel can't dig in. That radius edge was a Dave Ellsworth idea for sharpening the small hollowing bits and it is easier to do with the radius than the square edge. I don't do much hollowing, so don't really know for sure. I do prefer the 1 1/2 inch wide wheels. Noticed in your other CBN wheel video you have one of my tool rests. They will be out again eventually, but not by me.
Thanks, told me all I need to know. In Canada, we have Woodchuckers that supply the 4 in 1 and Mega Square, in fact they had a link to your other video on this topic. Off to order my CBN's. Thanks always for sharing, I'm a little smarter everytime I leave your channel (mom would be so amazed)...
I am a woodturner and use a 350 Grit on one side and a 180 Grit on the other. Love them and they've come way down in price. Woodturning Wonders has the new Spartan line for around $110 per wheel. You need to get the special washers to make sure you don't have vibration from your stock washers.
Great video and you had me sold on CBN... right up until the end when you said they're only good for hardened steel. I grind a little bit of everything - from hardened steel to mild steel, putting a point on a brass indicator, even wood on occasion. Oh well. Sounds awesome for some people, but it's not for me.
I didn't think of the wire wheel because I don't use them, personally. Most of the grinder accidents I have seen were with wire wheels (mostly eye injuries from folks who were just going to "brush this real-quick..." People who say childbirth is the most pain a human can experience have never had a tiny bit of wire extracted from an eyeball :)
The white grinding wheels he has are vitrified (glassified to bond the particles together at high heat) not resin bonded.... & It heats up partly because the sharp particle edges round over, but the accelerates because the surface of the wheel loads with metal which heats through friction. Dressing the wheel exposes fresh grit.
Finally jumped on a Worksharp 3000 for planes and chisels. I’m somewhat decent at sharpening with a Diamond stone and leather strop. However, I can’t take a completely wrecked chisel or plane iron and restore it without hours of effort. With the Worksharp I can get a $30 chisel of decent quality and make it shaving sharp in a few minutes. Once deciding I was all in on the Worksharp system, took James’s advice and just swiped the card for a 3 pack of wheels. Cost $190 total. But a 3 pack of one single paper grit was $14.95. And I could go the mdf route. Save a lot of money. But have a lot of disc. This, 3 disc. Done. As long as they make Worksharp 3000’s I’ll have a system.
Great video! I never heard of CBN wheels, but they would be a great addition for the shop. I've used aluminum oxide for years and often was never pleased with them.
Nice wheel, wish I used my bench grinder more now. I pretty much use flap wheels for everything I need ground and my Lennox wheel for anything I need cut. That would sure look good in my shop though...
Never mind the CBN Wheel,it will be a nice to have,but I like that gadget you got on your bench grinder.I am certainly going to try and make me one.Also a very nice video.It is just a pity you can just use it for sharpening tools.
I have been using CBN for over 30 years in Surface and OD grinding. They are awesome just don't try grinding carbide with them. If you have carbide tools use diamond wheels. Steve
I wonder if you could use an existing 1hp with vfd and foot control then attaching a slotted paper wheel on one side with a 1000 grit CBN wheel on the other. Sounds like a great combination for superior knife sharpening.
James, as usual a video that's informative and well presented, would it be possible for you to do a video on how you mounted the Tormek Sharpening Jig to your grinder, thanks in advance - Bill
I love that these wheels are now available. They do away with so many of the problems of standard wheels. On the Mohs scale of hardness, diamonds are rated as a 10 but they are actually about 11 by ratio. Cubic Boron Nitride rates in at around 30 on the same scale. Stone and ceramic grinding wheels should never be stored vertically. You should never stand in front of a grinder when it first starts up and until it is running smoothly, because they tend to absorb water from the atmosphere. When this occurs, the wheel will become unbalanced with a tendency to fly apart with tremendous violence. This is not so with laquer bonded wheels, but they can become brittle if allowed to freeze and will chip , again causing imbalance. If your desktop tools start doing the Macarena and leaping to their deaths, you can figger it might be time to dress your wheel and please don't grind with the sides of the wheel. Now that I'm old and almost all my tools are gone, stolen by drug addicts and such, I will have to save a long time to afford one, but I think I get me a fine hone.
Perhaps a dumb question, but can you use the flat sides of the CBN wheel to flatten the back of a chisel? Seems like it would greatly speed that process up.
I’m glad you mentioned about not grinding steel on these wheels; was thinking it would be good for that. Would they be good for sharpening things like knives or scissors??
90% of my grinding is mild steel or annealed high carbon steel. So your saying these CBN wheels are of no use to me? Ok, then what would be my options to the old style gringing wheels? Nice video, thanks for sharing!
I recommend a 5HP table saw. More power is always better. But people have done just fine with smaller saws, and lots of people do just fine with the smaller grinder. If you are in the marker for a new grinder anyway, then by all means go big.
I was sold up to the point where you mention hard steel only not for soft metals, that was the deal breaker for me, I use my bench grinder first then finish with the belt sander...
Diamond wheels, like diamond saws, may be "sharpened" / unclogged by running a firebrick or old grindstone on them. This wears away any metal covering the diamond particles... and you're good to go again !!
man do you know how much i like this kind of presentation : 5 stars. 100/100.
What great timing. I was about to order a couple of CBN wheels when I came across this video. I just got off the phone with Karen at Wood Turners Wonders and ordered their combo CBN package. Thank you!
Despite having worked as an engineer for 51 years I've never yet used a CBN wheel, but having just seen this video I'm most impressed by it's potential, and also with the presentation and clarity of this video.
Full marks to James Hamilton for this one. No irrelevant waffle, Good camera shots, and he's clearly a bloke who understands how to communicate. Thanks James,
Now I'll have to start saving up.
I have been using cbn wheels for woodturning tools for several years. Very thorough video. I agree Ken is a great guy to work with.
Fantastic, lucid explanation of CBN and why I should care about it. Thanks!
I've watched this before, but have learned more watching it again...Brilliant video. Thanks heaps for this.
I’ve seen other videos on CBN wheels but this is by far the best explanation on what they are and how they work. Your video footage was much better than others I’ve see too. This was excellent. Thanks.
Good sales job for CBN. I never knew much about them until I watched this.
I'm a turner, I could only afford one last year at the ATL show, I got the 350 grit and could not be happier. It cuts plenty fast to keep my gouges sharp and leaves a sharper edge than my old 180 AO wheel. It ran true right out of the box and it is was a game changer for me. It was more aggressive when new but a year later it has only mellowed a small amount, it still cuts pretty fast. When the tool is making contact there is absolutely no bounce or tracking issues like regular wheels do. Get some this is a great product. I have no affiliation with Ken and this testament is all my personal experience with his wheels. I also have his little card hones and they are great for quick touch ups in between sharpenings to finish a project.
Whoo, thanks for the caution at the end! That'd have certainly happened in my shop!
I bought a CBN wheel last winter to mount on my new Delta 8" grinder in my unheated shop. I found that in very cold weather the grinder couldn't handle the weight of the CBN wheel without blowing the internal time delay fuse. Not an issue in warm weather. I now use a large socket in my drill to rev the grinder up to speed before turning it on. This seems to have solved the cold weather issue. I also keep a handful of fuses on hand, but it's a pain to unmount the grinder and open up the base to get to the fuse.
Very informative. Thanks and regards from Antonio, Goa, state of India
I was looking at getting a bench grinder yesterday and held off (replacing my very old and now broken grinder). SO glad i watched this because the information in this video was GREAT! I just ordered a bench grinder / 2 wheel combo from Wood Turners Wonder and i'm looking forward to getting it!
Don't throw your old one out too quickly. It might just need new bearings.
I didn’t even know they existed. Definitely getting some now. Thanks for the info.
I love my CBN grinding wheels and use the CBN hone card too.
After watching this video a few weeks ago I ordered the 180 and 600 grit wheels from them . Excellent ! Thanks for the great tip!
You packed a TON of helpful information into that video. I learned a lot. Thank you!
This is new to me Stumpy, Many moons gone by I served an apprenticeship as a tool maker. Half my day would be spent over the bench grinder, When I Finished the apprenticeing, So did my trade. I became a Jack of all triads, And master of none.
Suddenly I need a grinder.
I was going to get one this month, so this is fab information lol now I know what to get :)
@@WoodturnersWonders Not in the budget right now, as I'm saving for a wedding and honeymoon, but I'll keep you in mind. Thanks!
I laughed soo hard!! that was EXACTLY what i was thinking!😂😂
i bought one off of a truck sale about 18 years ago for $20. i still have it and it still works just like when i first got it. i did have to change out the switch after awhile but found the screw holes were the same spacing as an ordinary light switch so i used one of those as replacement. of course i have changed out the wheels a time or two and added a wire brush on one side. it was the best addition i could have made to the bench grinder.
they are great to have in one's home shop along with a compressor, a vice and a welder. none of which i would want to do without as they do save lots of time and money. of course various hand and power tools are for sure included in one's shop.
I had that tought as well but then I saw the price....
i listen to you because of the Red Wing cozy.
I have shook hands with Gordie Howe and almost lost use of my hand. New the Howe boys from high school. I now live in Oregon. Getting older and looking to do some wood working when I stop work working in woods. Plenty of old growth scraps just laying around on the slopes. Pacific yew and Wild Cherry are nice. Appreciate you covering A-Z in a old school delivery like when many could not read or write.
Very informative and well presented. My present grinder is about 30 years old and suddenly just became due for replacement!
Learn something new every day
I have had CBN wheels for a few years. They are the best thing out there for a grinder! Many more grits and styles available today. I may convert my other grinder to CBN but with higher grits.
Definitely going to get one of these
Good job on +/-. I always thought they didn’t heat up bc they were giant heat sinks being metal. Didn’t know about less heat due to crystals.
Thanks for the vid! FYI- for those folks still using their bench grinder for grinding non-hardened steel (lawnmower blades, etc) I highly recommend buying a cheap 1in belt sander from Harbor Freight, and buying top grade ceramic belts in your desired grit. They cut faster, run cooler, don't plug up or wear down as fast. In my personal experience, this combo has been the fastest, most cost effective way to sharpen crude edges, such as lawnmower blades, pruners, shears, machetes, etc.
great video!!! had no idea this stuff existed until watching this. Thanks!!!
Thanks for the tips. Ordered and let them know YOU sent me!
I love my CBN wheels from Woodturning Wonders. Ken gives great service. I have an 80 grit and 180 grit on my bench grinder that I use for Woodturning scrapers and an 800 grit on my Jet Wet Grinder. One of the really big advantages of using the CBN wheel on this grinder is, NO WATER! I think it grinds a better edge faster than the water stone that came with the grinder.
One issue with the CBN wheels is the metal particles that come off of the wheels. I have some large rare earth magnets attached to my tool rests that become quite fuzzy with metal particles.
hi, 80 and 180 grit are only for scrapers and 800 for woodturning chisel and gouge? i dono speak very well english and dont understande more of the video. now i have a 60 grit carbide and 120 aluminium oxide for wood turning
The matrix that the CBN is bound to is and will continue to be the problem with both diamond and CBN abrasive tools. the materials are "slippery" and very difficult to sinter. Finding a base matrix that will hold the abrasive and not break up, has been the biggest issue with CBN and diamond. Tungsten and tungsten alloys are the best but very expensive for this type application it would be both costly and way too heavy for a small bench grinder use. . so often steel alloys are used and they do what you are experiencing.
Saving this vid for reference, i plan on upgrading later after i get a home shop up and running
I didn't even know I needed this. Your video got me looking. And they make ones specifically for the Tormek..........
Through information. I will be purchasing one.👍
Great info. Just upgraded, Ken at WTW was a huge help
Awesome job James! Buying a set now.
What a great idea.
Excellent video. Wish i found you years ago
Excellent review, I work in metal but this is a revelation I am interested in.
Great video. I had never heard of these wheels but could be a game changer at the day job. Thanks!
Nice infomercial, seems very effective.
Very Good Video, you will be a great channel for years to come, with your informative and straightforward approach. Thanks for the information brother!
Never knew they existed. Great info. 👍
Great Info James. I've been thinking about them for a few months and your video has tipped the scales on the yes side. Thank you Sir
Not bad, from some one who had the old CBN wheels which were a matrix bonded to an aluminum hub, then switched to D Way when they first came out. A few things I would add.
One, the life span of the wheel depends on how much you use it. For a production turner, they last about 5 or so years. For the home hobbyist, I would agree that they can last pretty much forever.
They are spin and bubble balanced by the manufacturers, so they will run true. One source of wobble is the standard nut that comes with the grinders. They are not fine machined so they can apply off center pressure, which can make the wheel wobble. That is what those helical washers can fix. I would guess that I could take my standard washers and chuck them up, then turn them dead flat on both sides, and then they should run true.
Another concern is the metal dust from these wheels. It does float around the shop like wood dust does. One turner hung a magnet 6 feet away from his grinding station, and the magnet got covered by dust. Especially with some of the exotic metals we turners use, like M42 HSS, and V10, that stuff is not good in the lungs. At present, there are no hobby level metal dust collection systems for grinders. I would want a hood of some sort, and one of those air scrubbers, placed far enough away so that any sparks would be dead by the time they got to the filters, and that should work fine. You can not get M2 HSS hot enough to lose the temper of the metal on CBN wheels. With the bench chisels and plane irons, you can. so easy does it for any shaping you need to do. Once the angles are set, touch up only takes seconds, so no overheating or temper loss problems.
As you said, they are made for any 'hardened' metal, so bench chisels, older shovel blades, plane irons, and any high speed steels. I took an old almost worn out wheel and loaded it up with aluminum, copper, brass, and soft steel just to see what would happen. It took a couple of days, but using a turning scraper, it came off. I have found that some of the Trend lapping fluid to the bevel of my tools helps keep the wheel clean. I turn a lot of sloppy wet wood, and gunk can accumulate on the wheels. I don't like the hardened aluminum oxide cleaning sticks I have seen, which put a lot of dust into the air. You can take the wheel off, and soak it in some Simple Green or other cleaning solutions for a bit, and then hit it with a stiff bristle brush. That helps a lot. A little bit of soft material on the wheel won't ruin it, but best not to do it.... I have tried the Slick Stick that Ken sells, and am not sold on it as much for the wheels, but it does help keep the bandsaw blades cleaner.
Totally agree with if you are only getting one wheel, then get the 180. That will be excellent for 90% of that you will need for lathe tools, and still pretty good for chisels and plane irons. The 600 grit would be a good second wheel, which comes in handy on turning tools for punky woods like big leaf maple. There is an ongoing debate about coarser edges cut faster and cleaner because the bigger teeth/serrations on the edges take longer to wear down and finer edges last longer and cut cleaner because there are more teeth so they last longer. Personally, I can't tell the difference. I do keep an 80 grit wheel handy if I have to do some shaping, but use the 180 the most. I do prefer the square edge wheels to the radius wheels, though the radius edge would be what I would sharpen a plane iron on because the edge of the wheel can't dig in. That radius edge was a Dave Ellsworth idea for sharpening the small hollowing bits and it is easier to do with the radius than the square edge. I don't do much hollowing, so don't really know for sure.
I do prefer the 1 1/2 inch wide wheels.
Noticed in your other CBN wheel video you have one of my tool rests. They will be out again eventually, but not by me.
Which tool rest?
@@StumpyNubs robo rest. I made bowl rests also. Running the business took up too much of my play time.
@@robohippy I'm not sure I've ever used a robo rest. Which video did you see it in.
Thank you for a very good information!
Thanks, told me all I need to know. In Canada, we have Woodchuckers that supply the 4 in 1 and Mega Square, in fact they had a link to your other video on this topic. Off to order my CBN's. Thanks always for sharing, I'm a little smarter everytime I leave your channel (mom would be so amazed)...
Great information James. You answered most of the questions that I've always wondered about when I see CBN wheels.
I am a woodturner and use a 350 Grit on one side and a 180 Grit on the other. Love them and they've come way down in price. Woodturning Wonders has the new Spartan line for around $110 per wheel. You need to get the special washers to make sure you don't have vibration from your stock washers.
As usual - very informative and well presented.
That's badass. Thanks for the video
Thank you for the introduction to the cbn wheels
Very educational, thank you!
Great video and you had me sold on CBN... right up until the end when you said they're only good for hardened steel. I grind a little bit of everything - from hardened steel to mild steel, putting a point on a brass indicator, even wood on occasion. Oh well. Sounds awesome for some people, but it's not for me.
Put a CBN wheel on one side of your grinder and a cheap wheel on the other. :)
And the wire wheel ... on a second grinder! 8-)
I didn't think of the wire wheel because I don't use them, personally. Most of the grinder accidents I have seen were with wire wheels (mostly eye injuries from folks who were just going to "brush this real-quick..." People who say childbirth is the most pain a human can experience have never had a tiny bit of wire extracted from an eyeball :)
You do know that grinding wheels can catch on fir if you choke them up with aluminium and then use steel on it ?
Same
Too bad
So these would be good for drill bits too?I'd like to find a video of someone using these for that.great info!
Thanks James! It's on my christmas list.....
Thank you for answering that for us.
The white grinding wheels he has are vitrified (glassified to bond the particles together at high heat) not resin bonded.... & It heats up partly because the sharp particle edges round over, but the accelerates because the surface of the wheel loads with metal which heats through friction. Dressing the wheel exposes fresh grit.
Finally jumped on a Worksharp 3000 for planes and chisels. I’m somewhat decent at sharpening with a Diamond stone and leather strop. However, I can’t take a completely wrecked chisel or plane iron and restore it without hours of effort. With the Worksharp I can get a $30 chisel of decent quality and make it shaving sharp in a few minutes. Once deciding I was all in on the Worksharp system, took James’s advice and just swiped the card for a 3 pack of wheels. Cost $190 total. But a 3 pack of one single paper grit was $14.95. And I could go the mdf route. Save a lot of money. But have a lot of disc. This, 3 disc. Done. As long as they make Worksharp 3000’s I’ll have a system.
Great video!
Great video! I never heard of CBN wheels, but they would be a great addition for the shop. I've used aluminum oxide for years and often was never pleased with them.
The last part killed it for me... Only Hard Metal...
Exactly I was all excited then nope. All I do is mild steel
Yup. I was sold right up until "you shouldn't sharpen lawnmower blades..."
Loved your videos on cbu wheels, can you share with me how you set up your Tormek jig with bench grinder cheers
Great video and thank you for sharing!
Dang! Look at all those tools on the wall near the ceiling
Very good video..very informative..thank you
Nice wheel, wish I used my bench grinder more now. I pretty much use flap wheels for everything I need ground and my Lennox wheel for anything I need cut. That would sure look good in my shop though...
Very nice explanation. they are also over $300 a bit steep for the hobbyist but for a professional shop would be a great asset.
Redwings fan= instant sub
Great info, thanks!
Perfectly balanced... Like all things should be.
great info my next buy thanks
it was a good video man 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Very nice vid mate, very useful.
Interesting. I use a Tormek water stone grinder but this is very intriguing.
I have a CBN wheel for my Tormek too. Works great.
Thank you very much.
Good info once again, thanks!
Never mind the CBN Wheel,it will be a nice to have,but I like that gadget you got on your bench grinder.I am certainly going to try and make me one.Also a very nice video.It is just a pity you can just use it for sharpening tools.
Thanks for the information. What is the jig you've got mounted there on the right?
It's the Tormek tool bar: amzn.to/2Tbbi4Y and the Tormek gouge jig: amzn.to/2sIVYkn
Wow , I have been using aluminum oxide for years. Will be looking into these on Monday.
Thank you
Solid Video Boss!
very nice thks 4 the info
Just what I need for my Harbor freight machete. Lol
Not for use with mild steel... so (ha ha ha).
What about plane irons and chisels (Stanley Type 11 - 12's; Stanley 750; Everlast; Defiance)? Just bought a Woodcut - 8" 180 Grit wheel. Thanks,
I have been using CBN for over 30 years in Surface and OD grinding. They are awesome just don't try grinding carbide with them. If you have carbide tools use diamond wheels.
Steve
Interesting, nice video
I wonder if you could use an existing 1hp with vfd and foot control then attaching a slotted paper wheel on one side with a 1000 grit CBN wheel on the other. Sounds like a great combination for superior knife sharpening.
James, as usual a video that's informative and well presented, would it be possible for you to do a video on how you mounted the Tormek Sharpening Jig to your grinder, thanks in advance - Bill
I love that these wheels are now available. They do away with so many of the problems of standard wheels. On the Mohs scale of hardness, diamonds are rated as a 10 but they are actually about 11 by ratio. Cubic Boron Nitride rates in at around 30 on the same scale. Stone and ceramic grinding wheels should never be stored vertically. You should never stand in front of a grinder when it first starts up and until it is running smoothly, because they tend to absorb water from the atmosphere. When this occurs, the wheel will become unbalanced with a tendency to fly apart with tremendous violence. This is not so with laquer bonded wheels, but they can become brittle if allowed to freeze and will chip , again causing imbalance. If your desktop tools start doing the Macarena and leaping to their deaths, you can figger it might be time to dress your wheel and please don't grind with the sides of the wheel. Now that I'm old and almost all my tools are gone, stolen by drug addicts and such, I will have to save a long time to afford one, but I think I get me a fine hone.
Thanks for this. Is this really your shop?
Joe
Perhaps a dumb question, but can you use the flat sides of the CBN wheel to flatten the back of a chisel? Seems like it would greatly speed that process up.
"you never want to sharpen tools on the side of a normal grinding wheel"
[stares at feet]
I instantly felt a massive weight of guilt when he said that.
I’m glad you mentioned about not grinding steel on these wheels; was thinking it would be good for that. Would they be good for sharpening things like knives or scissors??
90% of my grinding is mild steel or annealed high carbon steel. So your saying these CBN wheels are of no use to me? Ok, then what would be my options to the old style gringing wheels? Nice video, thanks for sharing!
CBN is best for sharpening tools, not for day to day metal grinding. I would recommend a good quality silicon carbide stone.
I spoke with Rikon about these wheels and they recommended using a 1hp grinder.
I recommend a 5HP table saw. More power is always better. But people have done just fine with smaller saws, and lots of people do just fine with the smaller grinder. If you are in the marker for a new grinder anyway, then by all means go big.
i thought i saw elsewhere on one of your videos that cbn could not sharpen old carbon steel lathe tools without clogging.
damn i'm sold
I was sold up to the point where you mention hard steel only not for soft metals, that was the deal breaker for me, I use my bench grinder first then finish with the belt sander...
Good to know. I'm keeping my traditional wheels until they are used up, but the next set could be CBN.
Good call :)
I sharpen my chisels on a slow running watered stone. Never gets too hot, low noise, no sparks... best way imho
Thanks james
Diamond wheels, like diamond saws, may be "sharpened" / unclogged by running a firebrick or old grindstone on them. This wears away any metal covering the diamond particles... and you're good to go again !!