Need advice about grinding wheels

[cmandp]

Now that I have a bench grinder I need some fresh wheels. Basically I want two wheels one for my random grinding needs and one for sharpening drill bits, wood chisels and other delicate tools. One problem is I need 7" X 1" (width) wheels which aren't the most common size...

For general stuff I figure something like one of these two wheels:
http://www.drillspot.com/products/60607/Norton_66252942292_Bench_Pedestal_Grinding_Wheel
or
http://www.reidsupply.com/sku/RAD-A090611/

For sharpening what should I look for? I figure a fine wheel like 100 grit. I also read that softer wheels are better because the wheel doesn't clog as quickly and reduces the heat generated. Should I worry about this or will any fine wheel work satisfactorily?

Also could anyone suggest sources for wheels other than the usual industrial supply places like MSC, Mcmaster, Grainger?

I would appreciate any guidance/ wisdom/ comments.

 

[Conductor562]

Don't get it at HF. They're unbalanced as hell.

 

[darkk]

I bought a dedicated cheap wetstone grinder as a tool sharpener...

 

[cheechi]

I like the Drill Doctor for drill bits. easier for me due to space. You could probably go for 6" x 1" wheels unless you have a nonstandard arbor, from nearly anywhere. For grinding wheels, HF is a poor choice, but their 6" flap disc works well. I get most of my grinding stuff from Northern but I'm sure someone else will tell you don't go there either.

If you're not sure, Norton makes good abrasives from wherever you want to shop.

 

[SGKent]

contact Abrasives & Tools Carbide Tools for Industry, Inc. www.burrs4less.com / www.carbtools.com http://www.abrasivesaver.com/ 800-854-0449 (714) 662-0909 . They are a abrasives shop in Santa Ana CA that has been around for a very long time. Whenever we are in So Cal and near there were pick up things we need. The things I have gotten from them not only fit but they work and the price is right. They also take care of what they sell. We had a cheap die grinder that the collet broke and they shipped me a new one not only without an argument but the right size too. We got all our current grinding wheels there. You may have to call them for their grinding wheels as their website will be mostly carbide bits (which work really well). The http://www.abrasivesaver.com/ site has most of their wheels etc but there is so much stuff it is sometimes easier to just call them and say - here is what I have and what I need, what do you recommend? They know abrasives better than any shop I have found. They have been around since the USA was the manufacturing capital of the world so they have that left over knowledge you won't find in a Home Depot, Lowes, HF or generic tool stores.

 

[woody 73]

You don't want any hard wheel stones for grinding wood chisels I use white Aluminum oxide wheels from Woodcraft 1-800-535-4486. The pink wheels are harder and they don't wear as fast, they also will not need as much touching up as the white wheels.

Hope that helps you out.

 

[cmandp]

To clarify a few things:
-The original wheels on the grinder were 7" X 1" X 1/2" arbor (original sears wheels and its a craftsman block grinder). ⌀7" is the largest I can go, obviously I could use ⌀6" if needed.

- When I say sharpening in my original post I mean grinding high speed steel tools, mainly drill bits, wood chisels, cold chisels or any other tool that can't get hot. I will get another wheel for general grinding.

After some more reading I'm thinking about a Norton (or similar) 38A wheel which is meant for tool steels.

 

[woody 73]

To clarify a few things:
-The original wheels on the grinder were 7" X 1" X 1/2" arbor (original sears wheels and its a craftsman block grinder). ⌀7" is the largest I can go, obviously I could use ⌀6" if needed.

- When I say sharpening in my original post I mean grinding high speed steel tools, mainly drill bits, wood chisels, cold chisels or any other tool that can't get hot. I will get another wheel for general grinding.

After some more reading I'm thinking about a Norton (or similar) 38A wheel which is meant for tool steels.

The Grinding stone that I listed above is the same stone as the Norton 38A and you might need to go to a size 6" unless they carry a 7" on the web; woodcraft does not carry a 7" stone.