Gary, I know you will appreciate stopping to sharpen, now. These make it such a pleasure and no dressing the wheels, no wheel dust (though there will still be grinding dust, of course) and just so fast and efficient. Congrats! Phil
Phil I can actually say I can tell the difference in how well the tools work now. Case in point I ground a 5/8 bowl gouge to a conventional grind pretty much like I see you use. I have watched your shavings come off and thought wow I wish mine would do that. I ground it again today with the CBN and I was very happy with happened. I am certain it cut much better now. I used the gouge today in a video I am working on. And yes no more dressing of the wheels. Something I would put off way to long. Thanks for watching and commenting buddy. Gary
Here is an exciting addition to the shop! I think as soon as any turner has the funds for these wheels, they should get them. They basically never wear out so in the long run they are actually more economical. Plus much safer and more efficient. I got mine from a Canadian turning supply, but they are woodturners wonders wheels. Perfectly balanced and run perfectly true. Like a dream! I used to spin the wheels by hand to get them moving, but what would happen time to time is I would start to loosen the nut because turning the wheel loosens the nut, where as if the motor turns it from the shaft it keeps it tight. So I stopped doing that. I have the same Grinder and it handles the weight just fine. Very happy for you my friend, you won't be disappointed! Kyler
Kyler that is an excellent point on the nut loosening up if you spin them by hand. Plus I think it's microseconds gained from doing it. I just flipped the switch and wait. I certainly am liking them a lot. And by not needing to dress them it will make it easier to use the digital angle finder. Thanks again for your support. Gary
You're gonna love them, Gary! I got mine from Ken as well. Took me several years to pull the trigger because of the expense, but they really do make a difference. Billy
Billy they are really nice and I am getting used to how they grind. Different than the old ones but in a good way. Check out my latest segment turning. The Tumbling Block turning. That is a good challenge and lots of fun. I know you like segment work. Thanks for watching and commenting. Gary
You'll love those, I know. They are quite a bargain, too. I bought my CBN wheels from D-Way, another great company, but bought a 1HP Rikon grinder from Ken. It brings my CBN wheels up to speed in less than a second. Happy turning.
Hi Carol here is the info on my CBN wheels. I bought them from WoodTurners Wonders I talked with Ken on the phone and this is what he recommended for me. I am very happy with them. Mega Square + 4-in-1 Pair CBN Wheels The Mega Square is a 350 grit The 4-in-1 is 80 grit It is something I use about every day so to me it was well worth it. Take care, Gary
Paul it has been close to 5 years ago but as I recall it should just slide off. You might try lightly tapping the edge with a rubber hammer. I have had big washers like that fit very tight just need a little help to get them loose. I assume it is the same Rikon grinder? Let me know if that works. Gary
yes same make model. Probable about 6 years ago. I'll try a bit more elbow grease. I can't see how the manufacturer could get the flange on without going over the spindle.
I never remove it but I use a 350 grit CBN wheel and it really does not leave one that I am concerned with. Now when I grind my negative rake scraper I use the 80 grit CBN and I want the burr as it is what is doing the cutting. Hope this helps, Gary
John my grinder is the 1/2 HP model. I paid $99.00 on sale at Rockler a few years ago. But I think the sale price now is $109.00 at Rockler The 1 HP model cost a lot more. I have 2 CBN wheels on mine and by the time I get my vari grind jig out the wheels are up to speed. Hope this helps. Gary
My understanding is you can sharpen small tools like hollowing bit by keeping them straight toward the wheel and simply slide them around the radius instead of trying to swing the bit. This is snagged from a web page explaining why. (The radius makes it easy to grind small 1/4" hollowing bits and round scrapers. This eliminates the problem of having to rotate a tool by the handle (in the case of scrapers) and end up over-grinding the tip. This is a very handy feature, and you can hold the small bits and not burn your fingers. .) The reason I liked them is for sharpening a radiused carving gouge. Which I have a lot of Buck Brothers gouges you grind on the inside. I will see how well it work out. Gary
Nice Video. Why did you purchase the 350 grit wheel with the square corners? I saw your response for the radius corners on the 80 grit wheel which sounds logical. Is there some use on the square corners wheel that can't be done on the radius style? Also, I saw in Ken"s website video he kind of suggests buying the 80 & 180 grit as a combo. What was your thought process that led you to go with the 80 & 350 grit wheels? Please advise and Thanks.
First of all thank you for watching the video. The square sided wheel is a full 1.5 inch which gives a much wider width which is really nice when using the vari grind system. Also gives you 2 sides you can grind on which comes in handy at times. If you do not want a hollow grind on let's say your skew chisel. I talked to Ken for a long time on the phone and what he said was if you just get one wheel then get the 180. I ask him about the 80 and 180 combo but he said I would get a much finer grind with the 350 and it really does put a fine edge on the tool. I know someone who uses a 600 grit CBN. I am very happy with the combo I got. Thanks again and let me know if you have more questions. Gary
Hi Gary, Thanks for the quick reply. Just a couple of follow up questions. You mentioned the wider 1.5 inch is nice when using the vari grind which makes sense. I was wondering if you think the 1.25 wide radius wheel would be "too" narrow or would it work ok but the wider wheel would just be better? Also, for side grinding does the 1.25 inch radius wheel have enough side width to work on a skew as you mentioned about with the 1.5 inch wheel etc? Have you used either wheel for putting a burr on a scraper...which grit gave you the best burr? Thanks for your help!! Myles
Hi Myles, You can use the vari grind with the 1.25" wide wheel but there is less flat to work with. You just need to make sure your tool stays in the flat area. Not impossible and not really all that hard. And there is enough on the side to to do a skew. The 80 grit will put a much bigger burr on the tool and I find it cuts better. Do you plan on just starting with one wheel and then adding another later? And you are correct the 1.5 just makes it a little easier. The 350 really produces a nice edge and probably keeps from over grinding your tools. But I would not use it for reshaping a tool.. Just for sharpening a tool that already has the shape you want. That is why the 180 would probably be a good wheel if you were to only have 1. Hope this helps but feel free to ask away. Gary
Hi Gary, Actually I was thinking of getting two wheels and have Ken mount them on his 1Hp Ricon grinder as I don't currently have a low speed grinder. It sounds like the 1 Hp might be the better choice for a few extra dollars. From everything I've been able to determine when having 2 wheels the 80 grit seems like there is a strong consensus from many sources. It's the finer grit wheel that I'm kind of struggling with a decision on. You mentioned a friend that has the 600 grit wheel. Have you had an opportunity to try the 600 grit and how do you like his wheel compared to your 350 grit wheel? I'm not sure exactly why, but I'm concerned of getting too fine of grit wheel but I'm not sure what is too fine...if that makes sense. Your thoughts? Thanks, Myles
I already had the 1/2 horse and it works fine. Probably slower to get up to speed but it still seems less than 5 seconds. I think the 1hp is about $80.00 more. So I debated with what grit on the finer wheel. For me 600 seems to fine. For sure you would need to real have control of repeating your setup or it might be slow to resharpen if you are not right on. The person with the 600 lives in another state but I do not he gets very sharp tools. How much more than 350? Hard to say. Ken did recommend the 350 for my use. Gary
Gary, congrats on the new wheels. I will be purchasing cbn wheels as well as the Kodiak sharpening station. However being in Canada we get so ripped off on shipping costs, plus the exchange rate that I started looking for alternative options. I eventually found the factory in China where Ken gets his wheels from, so I got them to quote me. I got them to quote on 2 of the Mega square wheels, one at 180 grit and one at 600 grit. Each wheel is approximately $83 US and express shipping to Canada is $90 US. So that comes out to approximately 1/2 the cost of purchasing from Ken. Although I'd like to support him on the wheels, I just cant justify that much extra cost. I decided on the 180 grit for rough grinding. If I need to do any really rough grinding for changing a tool geometry etc. I could always do that on a regular grinding wheel, then move to the #180 and finish on the #600. The #600 grit gives you an almost mirror finish on the tool, and an even better cut. I also decided to use only the Mega Square wheels at 1-1/2" wide. The reason being is that I don't really have much need to grind on a curved surface of the wheel. For cutters like that I'll likely just use some carbide inserts. The 4 in 1 wheel with the radius, is 1-1/4" wide and the radius is 1/4". So you end up with only having a 3/4" flat surface for the bulk of your grinding. Also, the side grind surface is reduced for the same reason. I know this is the same company as they even refer to the grinding wheels as the 4 in 1 and the Mega Square - no other company makes them..... jrtools.en.alibaba.com/productgrouplist-804161173/Electroplated_Diamond_CBN_Tools.html?spm=a2700.shop_index.88.20.338d2bbcCvVJQy
I have had mine for 3 years now and really love them. I do have another grinder with regular stones but only use it for grinding non tooling. It was a toss up on getting the one with radius corners but for some of my bench gouges it is nice. Plus small metal lathe cutters they come in handy. Nothing wrong with saving money and I got the idea he was making his wheels. But that is like thinking Powermatic still makes their lathes. Enjoy those new CBN wheels! Gary
Thanks, Gary...my wheels are coming tomorrow and I am so happy! I've waited 6 weeks for the delivery!
Fantastic Carol! You will love them.
Thanks for letting me know.
Gary
Gary, I know you will appreciate stopping to sharpen, now. These make it such a pleasure and no dressing the wheels, no wheel dust (though there will still be grinding dust, of course) and just so fast and efficient. Congrats!
Phil
Phil I can actually say I can tell the difference in how well the tools work now. Case in point I ground a 5/8 bowl gouge to a conventional grind pretty much like I see you use. I have watched your shavings come off and thought wow I wish mine would do that. I ground it again today with the CBN and I was very happy with happened. I am certain it cut much better now. I used the gouge today in a video I am working on.
And yes no more dressing of the wheels. Something I would put off way to long.
Thanks for watching and commenting buddy.
Gary
Here is an exciting addition to the shop! I think as soon as any turner has the funds for these wheels, they should get them. They basically never wear out so in the long run they are actually more economical. Plus much safer and more efficient. I got mine from a Canadian turning supply, but they are woodturners wonders wheels. Perfectly balanced and run perfectly true. Like a dream! I used to spin the wheels by hand to get them moving, but what would happen time to time is I would start to loosen the nut because turning the wheel loosens the nut, where as if the motor turns it from the shaft it keeps it tight. So I stopped doing that. I have the same Grinder and it handles the weight just fine. Very happy for you my friend, you won't be disappointed!
Kyler
Kyler that is an excellent point on the nut loosening up if you spin them by hand. Plus I think it's microseconds gained from doing it. I just flipped the switch and wait. I certainly am liking them a lot. And by not needing to dress them it will make it easier to use the digital angle finder.
Thanks again for your support.
Gary
You're gonna love them, Gary! I got mine from Ken as well. Took me several years to pull the trigger because of the expense, but they really do make a difference.
Billy
Billy they are really nice and I am getting used to how they grind. Different than the old ones but in a good way. Check out my latest segment turning. The Tumbling Block turning.
That is a good challenge and lots of fun. I know you like segment work.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
Gary
I guess this is the response to my last question. Haha. Having fun binging your videos during morning coffee👍👍
Thank you!
You'll love those, I know. They are quite a bargain, too. I bought my CBN wheels from D-Way, another great company, but bought a 1HP Rikon grinder from Ken. It brings my CBN wheels up to speed in less than a second. Happy turning.
Thanks David I am certain I will love them. I do already. I bet the 1 HP grinder does much better. I will see how this works out.
Gary
I plan to get a set of these soon, so I wanted to see what you got!
You will love them do you want all the info on them? Or did you figure it out?
Gary
ThePapa1947 I would love to have all the info on them. Thanks!
Hi Carol here is the info on my CBN wheels.
I bought them from WoodTurners Wonders
I talked with Ken on the phone and this
is what he recommended for me. I am very happy with them.
Mega Square + 4-in-1 Pair CBN Wheels
The Mega Square is a 350 grit
The 4-in-1 is 80 grit
It is something I use about every day so to me it was well worth it.
Take care,
Gary
How do you get the inside grinder wheel flange off so the you can remove the three screws holding the inside section of the guard?
Paul it has been close to 5 years ago but as I recall it should just slide off. You might try lightly tapping the edge with a rubber hammer. I have had big washers like that fit very tight just need a little help to get them loose.
I assume it is the same Rikon grinder?
Let me know if that works.
Gary
yes same make model. Probable about 6 years ago. I'll try a bit more elbow grease. I can't see how the manufacturer could get the flange on without going over the spindle.
How do you remove the burr after grinding one side? (spindle or bowl gouge)
I never remove it but I use a 350 grit CBN wheel and it really does not leave one that I am concerned with. Now when I grind my negative rake scraper I use the 80 grit CBN and I want the burr as it is what is doing the cutting.
Hope this helps,
Gary
What is the HP of tthe grinder because it suppose to be of slow speed and how much.
John my grinder is the 1/2 HP model. I paid $99.00 on sale at Rockler a few years ago.
But I think the sale price now is $109.00 at Rockler
The 1 HP model cost a lot more.
I have 2 CBN wheels on mine and by the time I get my vari grind jig out the wheels are up to speed.
Hope this helps.
Gary
@@ThePapa1947 Thank you for answering and it definitely help.
Would love to have some. Just a dumb here so I need to ask , Why the radiused corners on the 80 grit wheel?
My understanding is you can sharpen small tools like hollowing bit by keeping them straight toward the wheel and simply slide them around the radius instead of trying to swing the bit.
This is snagged from a web page explaining why.
(The radius makes it easy to grind small 1/4" hollowing bits and round scrapers. This eliminates the problem of having to rotate a tool by the handle (in the case of scrapers) and end up over-grinding the tip. This is a very handy feature, and you can hold the small bits and not burn your fingers. .)
The reason I liked them is for sharpening a radiused carving gouge. Which I have a lot of Buck Brothers gouges you grind on the inside.
I will see how well it work out.
Gary
Thanks for answering my question.
Nice Video. Why did you purchase the 350 grit wheel with the square corners? I saw your response for the radius corners on the 80 grit wheel which sounds logical. Is there some use on the square corners wheel that can't be done on the radius style? Also, I saw in Ken"s website video he kind of suggests buying the 80 & 180 grit as a combo. What was your thought process that led you to go with the 80 & 350 grit wheels? Please advise and Thanks.
First of all thank you for watching the video.
The square sided wheel is a full 1.5 inch which gives a much wider width which is really nice when using the vari grind system. Also gives you 2 sides you can grind on which comes in handy at times. If you do not want a hollow grind on let's say your skew chisel.
I talked to Ken for a long time on the phone and what he said was if you just get one wheel then get the 180. I ask him about the 80 and 180 combo but he said I would get a much finer grind with the 350 and it really does put a fine edge on the tool. I know someone who uses a 600 grit CBN.
I am very happy with the combo I got.
Thanks again and let me know if you have more questions.
Gary
Hi Gary, Thanks for the quick reply. Just a couple of follow up questions. You mentioned the wider 1.5 inch is nice when using the vari grind which makes sense. I was wondering if you think the 1.25 wide radius wheel would be "too" narrow or would it work ok but the wider wheel would just be better? Also, for side grinding does the 1.25 inch radius wheel have enough side width to work on a skew as you mentioned about with the 1.5 inch wheel etc? Have you used either wheel for putting a burr on a scraper...which grit gave you the best burr? Thanks for your help!! Myles
Hi Myles, You can use the vari grind with the 1.25" wide wheel but there is less flat to work with. You just need to make sure your tool stays in the flat area. Not impossible and not really all that hard. And there is enough on the side to to do a skew.
The 80 grit will put a much bigger burr on the tool and I find it cuts better.
Do you plan on just starting with one wheel and then adding another later?
And you are correct the 1.5 just makes it a little easier.
The 350 really produces a nice edge and probably keeps from over grinding your tools. But I would not use it for reshaping a tool.. Just for sharpening a tool that already has the shape you want.
That is why the 180 would probably be a good wheel if you were to only have 1.
Hope this helps but feel free to ask away.
Gary
Hi Gary, Actually I was thinking of getting two wheels and have Ken mount them on his 1Hp Ricon grinder as I don't currently have a low speed grinder. It sounds like the 1 Hp might be the better choice for a few extra dollars. From everything I've been able to determine when having 2 wheels the 80 grit seems like there is a strong consensus from many sources. It's the finer grit wheel that I'm kind of struggling with a decision on. You mentioned a friend that has the 600 grit wheel. Have you had an opportunity to try the 600 grit and how do you like his wheel compared to your 350 grit wheel? I'm not sure exactly why, but I'm concerned of getting too fine of grit wheel but I'm not sure what is too fine...if that makes sense. Your thoughts? Thanks, Myles
I already had the 1/2 horse and it works fine. Probably slower to get up to speed but it still seems less than 5 seconds. I think the 1hp is about $80.00 more.
So I debated with what grit on the finer wheel. For me 600 seems to fine. For sure you would need to real have control of repeating your setup or it might be slow to resharpen if you are not right on.
The person with the 600 lives in another state but I do not he gets very sharp tools. How much more than 350? Hard to say.
Ken did recommend the 350 for my use.
Gary
Woodturners Wonders has great sanding discs also, I love the Purple Power ones.
I will look into it. Thanks for the tip.
Gary, congrats on the new wheels. I will be purchasing cbn wheels as well as the Kodiak sharpening station. However being in Canada we get so ripped off on shipping costs, plus the exchange rate that I started looking for alternative options. I eventually found the factory in China where Ken gets his wheels from, so I got them to quote me. I got them to quote on 2 of the Mega square wheels, one at 180 grit and one at 600 grit. Each wheel is approximately $83 US and express shipping to Canada is $90 US. So that comes out to approximately 1/2 the cost of purchasing from Ken. Although I'd like to support him on the wheels, I just cant justify that much extra cost.
I decided on the 180 grit for rough grinding. If I need to do any really rough grinding for changing a tool geometry etc. I could always do that on a regular grinding wheel, then move to the #180 and finish on the #600. The #600 grit gives you an almost mirror finish on the tool, and an even better cut.
I also decided to use only the Mega Square wheels at 1-1/2" wide. The reason being is that I don't really have much need to grind on a curved surface of the wheel. For cutters like that I'll likely just use some carbide inserts. The 4 in 1 wheel with the radius, is 1-1/4" wide and the radius is 1/4". So you end up with only having a 3/4" flat surface for the bulk of your grinding. Also, the side grind surface is reduced for the same reason.
I know this is the same company as they even refer to the grinding wheels as the 4 in 1 and the Mega Square - no other company makes them..... jrtools.en.alibaba.com/productgrouplist-804161173/Electroplated_Diamond_CBN_Tools.html?spm=a2700.shop_index.88.20.338d2bbcCvVJQy
I have had mine for 3 years now and really love them. I do have another grinder with regular stones but only use it for grinding non tooling.
It was a toss up on getting the one with radius corners but for some of my bench gouges it is nice. Plus small metal lathe cutters they come in handy.
Nothing wrong with saving money and I got the idea he was making his wheels. But that is like thinking Powermatic still makes their lathes.
Enjoy those new CBN wheels!
Gary