Comments

1. 
   brocard | Sep 08, 2010 06:20am | #1

   Very nice. I intend to go to manual grinding when I get a new workshop. I will be be foot cranking. I guess you don't burn tools this way???

2. 
   JZens | Sep 10, 2010 05:26pm | #2

   Sorry I've taken this long to get back to you!

   Yes, you can still burn the steel grinding by hand! It will happen more slowly, but if you aren't careful you'll see that little bit of blue, especially as you finish the grind and the edge and corners are at their thinnest.

   Eliminating this disaster is also easy if you follow a few common-sense suggestions. Number one, go easy with the grinding pressure. You don't need to push the tool into the wheel in order to remove steel. Let the abrasive wheel do its job. Number two, use a white abrasive wheel, which tends to grind a little cooler. Finally, when you grind keep a finger or two on the steel just behind the edge. If you look at the bottom photo on this post:

   http://jszcbf.wordpress.com/2010/04/08/grinding-by-hand-the-old-fashioned-way/

   you will notice my left index finger in that position. This hand position accomplishes two goals: it keeps the tool flat on the rest, and allows you to detect heat buildup in the steel. If you feel the tool heating up, stop for a minute or two and let the tool cool off. I tend not to quench tools in water because the rest and jig are made from wood. Just let them cool a bit and you'll be fine.

   Hope this helps....happy grinding!