Replies

1. 
   Steinmetz | Jan 17, 2005 02:13am | #1

   GURL,

   Buy a diamond wheel dresser at a machinist's
   supply (Cheap) Attach a collar that will fit
   the shaft (!/2" is pretty standard) The collar
   can be bought at the same store (Very cheap)

   It has an allen set screw that locks
   it onto the shaft. Adjust the diamond point
   to ride left to right and back to the left
   while the collar rides along the grinder's
   tool rest

   Dress a tiny bit at first.
   That will clean off most of the junk
   Shut the wheel down, Observe the wheel
   It will show new clean surfaces but some part
   of the edge still needs a tad more.

   Readjust the dresser and take a finishing cut.
   This not only cleans the wheel, but
   it wears away any unevenness and the result
   is a perfectly round and centered wheel

   Ed from Ct

   
   

   ---

   Edited 1/16/2005 6:16 pm ET by steinmetz

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 17, 2005 02:43am | #3

   Thanks, Ed.  I've seen those in catalogs.  I'll see if the local Jet/etc. retailer has them.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

2. 
   JohnWW | Jan 17, 2005 02:15am | #2

   Get a star wheel dressing tool, it is a cast iron handle with a group of pointed steel discs on its working end.  Place the end of the tool on your grinder's tool rest and pass disced end back and forth across the face of the spinning grinding wheel, while pressing the dressing tool lightly against the wheel.  The star discs will spin noisily and make some dust as they scrub away the face of the wheel, in a few seconds the wheel's face will be clean.  Anytime you do anything at a grinder you should have on safety glasses or, even better, a face shield.

   I real hardware store should have a star wheel dressing tool, it shouldn't be too expensive, probably around $10.00 or so I'd guess.  While you are there, pick up a set of replacement star wheels if they have them, they wear down eventually.  Use the dressing tool regularly to clean up the face of the wheel, the wheel will cut both faster and cooler with a fresh surface.

   Hope this helps, John W. 

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 17, 2005 02:49am | #4

   Thanks, John, for pitching in here.  Seems like the star-wheel would be good for getting the gunk off.  Does it do the final "dressing" of the wheel as well as Ed's diamond dresser?  [BTW, looks like our Ace doesn't qualify as a "real" hardware store.  They only have the bar-shaped dresser that looks like a rectangular grinding wheel, so to speak).forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   patternmaker | Jan 17, 2005 03:12am | #5

   I use the diamond dresser when I am shaping the wheel to grind shaper knives.For normal use the square block should do a satisfactory job
   Work safely¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬PAT¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬Thank you,Mr.Croney,where ever you may be.

   Work safely ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬PAT¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬

2. 
   nikkiwood | Jan 17, 2005 06:56am | #6

   The dresser with a set of star wheels does work really slick. Occasionally, I will shape something made from aluminum on the grinder, which leaves chunks of alum. imbedded in the wheel's surface. The dresser cleans it up in a hurry, so you'll not have a problem cleaning off the residue from hubby's antler project. Years ago, I got a handful of what were called "dressing sticks" from an industrial supply place -- which I think is what you are describing. Anyway, mine are rectangular sticks -- maybe 6" long, and something like 1/2" X 1/2". These can be used to further smooth the wheel, if you think it necessary, after using the dresser.

1. 
   highfigh | Jan 17, 2005 03:56pm | #7

   If you use the starwheel type, once the debris is gone, move the dresser across the surface of the stone to even it out using the edge of the tool rest as a guide so it will be square. There will definitley be some dust and you don't want to inhale it or get it in your eyes.
   "I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."