Grinder workstation

[86turbodsl]

Crossposted from another forum i'm on for more results:

Still working on getting my shop setup, and have some needs for grinding/sharpening.

I currently have the following equipment:

6" cheapie bench grinder (read lower torque)
10" dayton 3ph grinder
2 belt drive arbors with 2 ends each.
Variety of electric motors to drive arbors.
12" disc/belt combo sander (primarily wood but may either convert this to metal for bevels or get/build another larger if it makes sense.)

I have a cheap grey 6" stone on one end of the bench grinder and a brass wire wheel on the other end.

I just got a Miller 330 and will need to be able to sharpen tungstens. I am not looking to buy a dedicated 300 dollar tool for sharpening.

I'm looking for recommendations on what wheels make sense to get, where the tungsten sharpening belongs, etc.

Shop usage is general fab/machining, auto repair/restoration. I do use wire wheels to remove rust from bolts and such.
grinders for sharpening tools, removing burrs, etc. I should probably move into whetstones for blade sharpening, but not there yet.

Any ideas on where i should take this?

 

[Superbec]

I just got a Miller 330 and will need to be able to sharpen tungstens. I am not looking to buy a dedicated 300 dollar tool for sharpening.

contrary to the weekend warrior beliefs , you can grind tungsten on pretty much any stone or belt any "contamination" or mambo jambo will burn at the first arc .

The small grinder is good for this task, I prefer a fine grit for tungsten sharpening .

Also , don't sharpen the tungsten against rotation , it's as useless as a dedicated stone and also dangerous, I know some WW swear by it , but trust me , it's bull.

 

[HCNDM]

Can't do any good grinder recommendations since I'm across the pond.

For tungsten sharpening get a dedicated diamond wheel.

The cheap alternative is a diamond wheel on a dremel and clamping it in a vise. Stick the tungsten in a cordless drill spin and sharpen.

Jody from welding tips and trick demonstrated this method and its worked cheaply and reliably for me.

My two cents


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[Superbec]

Can't do any good grinder recommendations since I'm across the pond.

For tungsten sharpening get a dedicated diamond wheel.

The cheap alternative is a diamond wheel on a dremel and clamping it in a vise. Stick the tungsten in a cordless drill spin and sharpen.

Jody from welding tips and trick demonstrated this method and its worked cheaply and reliably for me.

My two cents


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duuude

 

[HCNDM]

duuude

Yeah well when it comes to welding I am certainly a weekend warrior. [emoji6]

Dremel still works for tungstens and is quick.

And yes I agree the contamination probably burns off pretty quick... maybe a little arc wander on startup but after a second or so...

Doubt it makes much difference for 99% of the welds anyway unless they are specialized structural and require X-ray testing. For my welds if they are strong : good enough... if they look a little pretty bonus.

I have a creusen bench grinder. A little one. [emoji2] Dutch brand


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[Cope]

I have this for tungsten.

http://www.harborfreight.com/bench-grinder-with-flex-shaft-43533.html

A cheaper alternative w/o the flexible shaft.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-inch-mini-tool-grinder-polisher-94071.html

 

[86turbodsl]

Ok, lots of tungsten grinding suggestions, anybody got thoughts on what other wheels i should get for general shop usage? Planning to have all the grinders/arbors put to use somehow.

 

[HCNDM]

Ok, lots of tungsten grinding suggestions, anybody got thoughts on what other wheels i should get for general shop usage? Planning to have all the grinders/arbors put to use somehow.

I have a green fine wheel on the right. On the left I have a 3m polishing wheel made of some form of compressed steel wool.

The 3m wheel is pricey and they don't last forever but are awesome. Quickest way to bring up a shine or round off and smooth edges. Leaves a lovely polished mirror smokey finish.

One of these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006N7KZE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They come in a few grits

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006N7KZE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Note you may have to get a new arbor for these.

First time I saw one of these I reeled at the cost. They are close to double the cost here as to the amazon links I posted. But then I used one and the time it's saves whilst creating a factory perfect finish are wel worth the investment imo:

Can't remember exactly what model I bought for the green wheel (my grinder was a local Craigslist score and replaced the wheels immediately) but it's a Makita 6 inch wheel. Makes quick work of sharpening chisels and such.

I have a mini bench grinder (China) with variable speed set up with with arbors for cotton polishing wheels. I believe they are called benchtop polishers. The trick here is to have a separate polishing mop for each type of metal and compound. Don't use the jewelers blue mop for gold on a carbon steel piece. The carbon steel contamination will scratch any gold item in the future.

Mind you most of the stuff I work on is small so the 6 inch grinder and China polisher are more than plenty for me.

Just a queen quick rehash on the tungsten grinding;

I said diamond wheel (harbor freight or similar will do) because you don't get any groove forming and they are quick.

I said dedicated not so much because of contamination... but because the cheaper diamond wheels tend to lose their diamonds when regularly used the steel blanks etc. it's a PITA to sharpen tungstens on a diamond wheel with bald spots.


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[HCNDM]

Keep a brass or braided steel wire wheel. I don't have one on my bench grinder but use brushes on my handheld all the time. Invaluable!

Perhaps not specific to grinders but get a full face mask to protect your eyes and face. Wirewheels fling sh@$ all over the place and safety glasses simply don't protect wel enough.

They are also useful when polishing. You stay much cleaner.


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