Grinding Plunges

Jim Smyth

Jim Smyth

Joined
Oct 4, 1998
Messages
696
I have been trying a few different ways to do plunge cuts. From the straight 90 degree one to a more rounded one. I do strictly hollow grinds and am trying to learn to do the rounded one. I have hung the belt over the end of the wheel in various lengths and have tryed rolling the belt with a round rod to soften the ends to give a more rounded look, but haven't had the same results. Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!




[This message has been edited by CJ (edited 08 November 1999).]
 
I hate to say this but, PRACTICE!! I went crazy learning how to do this with my first belt grinder. After I burned up lots of tool steel, I started practicing on scrap stainless from work.
In addition to marking your center line on the edge of the blade, mark where you want the edge to end. Until you have most of the blade done, dont go past that point.
I grind the main part of the blade first stopping short of where the plunge is going to be. After I finish most of the hollow grind I move the belt to one side of the wheel and finish the plunge area. Then I track the belt to the other side of the wheel and make the opposite side of the blade match!! Easier said than done.....
I made a contact wheel that's only 1 5/8 wide and I run a 2" belt over it. I'm just getting used to it but so far, I can do a complete blade and not move the belt on the contact wheel.
I hope this is of some help!
Neil


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What type of belts are you using? I am currently using 3M Ceramic 60 grit, then Regalite Polycut 120, then Klingspor Jflex 220 then 400.

I get good results with the 80 grit but then from there on it's hard to get into the plunge to take out the previous grits scratches without distorting the rounded look. Do they make real stiff belts in the finer grits?



[This message has been edited by CJ (edited 10 November 1999).]
 
Cj,

Try this ,Use a new file or new 60G belt and radius the corners of your contact wheel approx 1/8" after you rough in your grind with 60G 977 3M ceramic belt then go to the Hermes superflex 120G if you radiused correctly you will get a beautiful radiused grind , consistently every time . if not go back and alter your contact wheel untill you get it right .

Good luck ! Ken Onion
 
Thanks Ken for the info, do you have the belt hang over the end a bit or keep it flush with the edge of the contact wheel? Where do you recommend that you pick up the Hermes superflex 120G? I have been using Pops, next order I will see if he has it.

[This message has been edited by CJ (edited 10 November 1999).]
 
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