I am getting more into lathe work these days and while I use my roughing gouge for most of my operations, I am finding that the use of my spindle gouges is limited by my sharpening difficulties.
I am using a 6″, 3450 RPM grinder with the Norton white wheels (about 100-120 grit?), and the oneway jig to get the correct orientation on the wheel. I dress the wheel with a diamond dresser when needed.
The problem is that as I get the tip of the tool down to a sharp edge it starts to turn blue and the tip just burns.
Is dipping the tool in water frequently before it gets to that stage the only alternative?
Or water spray during grinding?
Help!!
Replies
sharpening
What material are your gouges?? High carbon or HHS ?? Blued HHS is not a big problem, blued Hi carbon is a no no. 1725 - 1800 RPM slow speed grinder will help a lot as will a lighter touch and water quenching while grinding.
A very slow wet grinder station ( Jet, Tormek, Grizzley) will eliminate overheating tools while grinding all together. But a much slower .
Sharpening
Bruce,
They are Sorby HSS tools.
I don't want to spend the $ for a Jet and especially a Tormek slow speed grinder.
So it sounds like I just have to take it slow with enough water quenching to keep the tool cool...............
Bingo ;-)
And with time and practice, you will be able to sharpen all of your lathe tools free hand with no need for any of those special jigs.
I always wanted one of those Wolverene gouge jigs but couldn't afford one, so I started free handed grinding and now I won't look back at the Wolverene.
Jim,
Use a light touch, and keep the tool moving.
Ray
Thanks!
Thanks Bruce and Ray.
I actually was hoping I was missing something big in my technique as that would make it easier to correct!
So I will go lightly on the wheel and will keep the tool at a low temperature with water.
Appreciate the timely responses, and thanks again.
Jim
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