New home, this was left in garage (how do i use it?)

I don't recommend sharpening your knives and axes on this thing. Without proper experience and instruction, it is highly likely that you will ruin the heat treat on your blades and/ or remove way too much metal at one time. I would inspect, clean, and maintenance the thing. Then, with proper hearing, eye, and face protection run the thing and make sure it is safe and functional.

Use it for projects around the house for items that aren't necessarily going to be ruined by getting them hot. Use it to debur a freshly cut piece of metal, "file" things down that would otherwise take forever with a traditional hand file etc.
Always wear proper safety gear with these things and make sure you don't have any loose clothing or hair that could get caught up in the thing.
I highly recommend finding/ making some kind of a guard for the wheel itself and replacing the base plate it is attached to just for starters.

The absolute best thing would be to sell/ give it away to someone that knows what they're doing with fixing it up (if you don't) or doesn't care about their safety.
The thing doesn't look flat out non-serviceable, but it needs some work to be safe and convenient.
 
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ItsKYRO said:
To my understanding its a grinder. Any ideas on if i can use this for knives or axes? If so anything i need to know or just stick the steel against the wheel? Im clueless to sharpening.

https://ibb.co/r0bYXhW
https://ibb.co/fMrLXjr
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Assuming it works, you can definitely use it. Go to a dollar store and buy some junk knives to practice on and then watch some YouTube videos on how to restore it first, then on how to properly use it.

Definitely don't use it on anything you value until you've had some success sharpening some cheap stuff.
 
The best thing you can do is to take it to a swap meet and trade it for something that you can use. A grinding wheel is dangerous for someone that doesn't have a clue the way it works. And no, you don't just stick the steel against the wheel. That statement should scare you.
 
Ajack60 said:
The best thing you can do is to take it to a swap meet and trade it for something that you can use. A grinding wheel is dangerous for someone that doesn't have a clue the way it works. And no, you don't just stick the steel against the wheel. That statement should scare you.
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Well, I meant it with the blade rotated in a way to actually sharpen but yes I don't know proper technique.
 
The only thing I use grinders on is my machetes. They can eat a lot of material fast and often not what you are looking to remove. On the machete I am not looking for perfect bevels, just an edge of some sort. A few quick passes and it is ready to use again. That is all I use mine for not even an axe.
Wire wheel is often handy in the shop as is raw metal work while fabricating . It is a good tool, just not a good sharpener except for the talented
Paper wheels are better, but still too fast for me. I do best going slow
 
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I have a grinding wheel and a 1/30 belt sander.

I don't ever sharpen on my grinding wheel. I rarely ever sharpen on my belt sander. Only for reprofiling or fixing damage. It just removes so much steel, and you have to watch the heat.
 
ItsKYRO said:
Well, I meant it with the blade rotated in a way to actually sharpen but yes I don't know proper technique.
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Gotcha, have you turned it on to see how fast it rotates ? Is there a name plate on the motor that identifies the HP/ RPM's ? that's a start on using it. Not being an ass, I'd say start out using some plastic knives to get a feel for what it will do. Or start out with a metal dowel rod and put a point on it.
 
Grinders can be very dangerous and have maimed more than one cutler. Learn how to be safe first.
 
good for lawn mower blades (assuming you take the time to balance them after sharpening).
 
I agree with all the cautious comments.

I ground away about half the joint that the tip of my right hand pinkie finger pivots on, so I personally tend to be cautious around grinding wheels...
 
If anyone around central Ohio could benefit from having this let me know and we can get this to a better home
 
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