Grinding Heat

blgoode · Dec 24, 2003

I am using the stock removal method and was wondering about the heat caused by the grinding. I am using water to cool the steat but was curious of how many of you grind with gloves on?
I use my bare hands and my fingers to get hot. Just looking for some insight here.

Thanks

Mike Hull · Dec 24, 2003

I usually grind bare handed. It's not a good idea to grind just on one side to completion. It really stresses the steel, and will result in warping in heat treat.

Make a pass or two on one side, dip the blade and repeat on the other. Do that for all your grinding.

After heat treat, bare hands are used to feel the heat. Your hands will hurt starting at about 100-125 degrees. You will hurt the HT(depending on the steel)starting at about 400 degrees. You would be surprised how quick you can get to 400, and beyond. Just take it slow.

And yes, your fingers will toughen up in time.

etp777 · Dec 24, 2003

I try to go barehand for actually grinding bevels, etc, esp. after HT, but I admit I do wear gloves when hogging out a profile.

I also normalize three times though(or two flash normalizes and one full regular one, per Ed Fowlers suggestion) and it seems to have done a good job of taking care of any stress I might have incurred in the steel during grinding.

rlinger · Dec 24, 2003

As I think Mike ment, do not allow the steel to exceed the temperature it was tempered at during heat treating.

blgoode · Dec 24, 2003

Thanks guys...
I switch sides during the grinding process often. I'll just get used to the heat.....I am on my 3rd blade at the moment so I'll get used to it soon.

rlinger · Dec 25, 2003

I hesitated before but will say it now, I have never used gloves at any stag of grinding and wish I could without worry. Perhaps it is a lack of enough knife making experience but I'd rather feel the heat in order to protect the end result (my burns have burns). I keep cool water close by for quenching and for small test heat treat pieces that are only small flat rectangles of steel I keep an aluminum plate close by the grinder.

RL

John Andrews · Dec 25, 2003

I grind bare handed also, and for the reason of maybe the belt grabbing the glove, too. When grinding a knife with a stick tang, I do wear a work glove to grip the tang with. BAD if the tang twists in your hand while grinding! Bare handed grinding will usually get you by easier without work hardening the piece, as we know some steels will.

Mike Hull · Dec 25, 2003

Just a small tip here, put a few drops of liquid detergent into the dip water. It keeps the metal particles from floating on the surface, and possibly sticking to the knife.

That can lead to some nasty scratches, especially when finish grinding.

Lynn · Dec 25, 2003

Mike and all,
Along with the detergent I put a small amount of baking soda. It keeps the rust from happening so quickly. Not too much or your hands will feel like they have been sofened!
Lynn

>Mike Hull Just a small tip here, put a few drops of liquid detergent into the dip water. It keeps the metal particles from floating on the surface, and >possibly sticking to the knife.

>That can lead to some nasty scratches, especially when finish grinding