Rikon 1/2HP Slow Speed Grinder w/ CBN Wheels

  • Last Updated on July 26, 2024

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Rikon 1/2HP Slow Speed Grinder w/ CBN Wheels

Overview

This tool is to sharpen metal tools ONLY. Do not use this tool to grind wood, plastic, flesh, etc.

In person training and sign-off from a trainer is required before members are allowed to use this tool. The grinder will be taught along with any lathe class. If you have been trained on the lathe before the purchase of this grinding setup, post in the Slack #help-woodworking channel to find a time where a trainer will be available to have a pop-up training.

 

This grinder has two CBN (cubic boron-nitride) wheels, which are extremely hard abrasives. There is an 80-grit and 350-grit wheel. There is also a jig which allows exact sharpening of all sorts of lathe tools and other sharp metal objects (chisels, hand planes, etc)

 

Training

  • Again, DO NOT sharpen any wood, plastic, stone, flesh, or otherwise. Metal ONLY.
  • Read the entirety of the Pro Grind manual to understand the different fixturing setups (platform method and multi-grind method)
    • Use the platform method for straight chisels, skew chisels, parting tools, spindle roughing gouge, scrapers
    • Use the multi-grind method for any fluted tools, e.g. spindle detail gouge or bowl gouge
  • Use the 80-grit wheel only for establishing a new bevel on a tool, like when there is a chip or dent in the cutting edge. It will remove a lot of material very quickly.
  • Use the 350-grit wheel for routine sharpening. This will be the majority of the sharpening you will be doing. If there is not a divot or chip in the cutting edge of your tool, use the 350-grit wheel.
  • Be sure to take very light passes.
  • The tool you are sharpening should always be moving when in contact with the wheels. This will help keep the metal cool, which preserves the temper on the metal, which helps it stay sharper longer.
  • Make sure you don’t let the metal of a tool start changing colors. If the metal starts turning blue, it is getting too hot. Once the metal turns blue it has lost its temper, which makes the metal softer and need to be sharpened more often.

Specifications

Resources

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