Contact Wheels

Joined
Jan 2, 2001
Messages
39
What size contact wheels are used in the USA
for hollow grinding.Is there a specific size that should be used or is it just a matter of getting a 10" wheel and learning to hollow grind.
 
Steve,
Most folks use either an 8 or 10 inch wheel, with maybe the 8 being a little more popular. Outside of that you will see some makers use maybe a 14 inch wheel but that is probably the exception.
 
I have found that the bigger the wheel the nicer the hollow grind is on bigger blades and the easier it is to grind them.A ten inch would be my choice if I was to start hollow grinding again.I am thinking of having a platten made for my grinder that will let me hollow grind the old style blades like they are supposed to be,The platten will act like having a 5 or 6 foot wheel like they used back in Sheffield.If you have never seen one ground like this look at some pictures of some that Alex Daniels has done,it looks pretty cool...Alex doesn't have a web seite so I can't put a link to any pictures sorry.
Bruce

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Bruce Evans Handcrafted Knives
The soul of the Knife begins in the Fire!!!!!
Member of,AKTI#A000223 and The American Bladesmith Society
asmallpicofbruceforforums.jpg
 
Contact wheels not only come in different diameters, but also width, durometer, and serrate or plain. Most makers I know grind on a 2" wide 8 or 10 inch wheel. Durometer refers to the hardness of the rubber, the higher the durometer the harder the rubber. Common durometers being 70 to 90. The harder the rubber the more aggressive the wheel will cut. Serrated wheels cut even more aggresive than a plain wheel. If you want to do heavy stock removal and to do great finishes you will need to have two wheels. A serrate is necessary for heavy stock removal, but won't give a good finish when you go higher than a 220 grit,a 70 durometer plain surface wheel is great for finish work, and OK for stock removal. I do my profiling and initial grinding with a 1X 10" serrate 90 durometer wheel, and finish work on a 1X10" 70 durometer wheel. Hope this helps.

Ted

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Personally, and this is all a matter of opinion, I would recommend an 8" smooth wheel to start. It is a little easier to feel the groove in an 8" wheel, and good finishing really needs the smooth wheel. Serrated wheels are better for rough stock removal.

Besides the 8" wheel I use for grinding the blades, a small 1" wheel (usually needs an attachment for your grinder) is extremely useful for shaping the profile and handles.

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Jerry Hossom
www.hossom.com
The New Tom & Jerry Show
 
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