Bench Grinder Help!

[M67Chucker]

I have a Delta 6" bench grinder and I wanted to know what wheels I should be using for general touch ups and placing mirror finishes to some of my blades. Also where can I order these wheels from if this is possible?

 

[siguy]

on my basic 6" bench grinder i use the two stock wheels (course and med) for shaping metal. i only use the grinder for taking off alot of metal, like making a worn out file into an awl, for instance.

i also have a scotchbrite wheel, gray (indicator of grit?) that i use for putting mirror finishes on steel, or for very fine grinding on softer metals like aluminum and brass. this wheel will do a nice job of convexing a straight V edge, and will make a pretty big burr.

i also have a soft buffing wheel loaded with red rouge that i use for polishing various metals, but it sees the most use with sterling silver.

i don't use the grinder for touching up my knives, its too hard to maintain a good angle, and the wheels are too course. i just use my stones. i imagine i might use my 1x30" belt sander for sharpening if i ever get the part i need.

 

[FlyingMuskrat]

If by: "touch ups" you mean repairs to a seriously damaged knife, then I would get something in the course range of most sharpening stones I.E. 200-400 grit (this is only to prevent you from having to spend a lot of time removing scratches, otherwise you could use the >100 grit wheels the grinders often come with. But with any bench grinding on knives, be very, very, very, careful about heat.). I would never, no matter how fine a stone I had, us a bench grinder for regular sharpening. I would say a buffing wheel would be your best bet for mirror polishing.