Paper Wheel Grit-life

Um, when they quit cutting well? I've had mine for a year and a hundred+ knives on the original grit. I'm getting close to regritting soon. I have bald spots here and there now. It still works but things take longer now.
 
OK, so how would I judge "cutting well"? Mine definitely still cut, not as well as when they were new, but the wheel is nowhere near bald either. I clean mine with a rubber dressing stick (large eraser) and this cleans the wax out nicely, then I re-wax and it seems to work very well.

In other words, at what point would you tear these down and re-grit? When the original grit has begun visibly wearing off?
 
For me, it was when I realized that it was taking a number of passes to raise a burr, and that I was becoming concerned about how hot the blade was getting, and having to wait or cool it down to continue. It meant that I was spending more time and probably pushing harder trying to get the same result. But it was a long time getting to that point.

So, time spent would be something to look at.

cbw
 
Sounds like it's still working well for you. I think it takes about 3 or 4 times as long to do the same amount of grinding as when it was fresh. So that's why I am thinking about refreshing the wheel.
 
Mine needed it in less than a year. I tried applying a new layer of grit and it didn't really work. The grit just falls off with use. I tried to clean the grit off but could never get all the black off and just seemed to spread it around. I have used various grit of sand paper and even tried a file. The wheel is probably a quarter inch smaller in diameter yet still has a layer of black gunk. This seems to prevent the grit from adhering well to the wheel. I no longer use my paper wheels because of this and might trash the wheel and put some type of buffing wheel in its place. I didn't use the wheels a ton and probably won't use them anymore if it requires a new $25 wheel every 7 or 8 months. Hopefully everyone else has better luck than I have.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
Mine needed it in less than a year. I tried applying a new layer of grit and it didn't really work. The grit just falls off with use. I tried to clean the grit off but could never get all the black off and just seemed to spread it around. I have used various grit of sand paper and even tried a file. The wheel is probably a quarter inch smaller in diameter yet still has a layer of black gunk. This seems to prevent the grit from adhering well to the wheel. I no longer use my paper wheels because of this and might trash the wheel and put some type of buffing wheel in its place. I didn't use the wheels a ton and probably won't use them anymore if it requires a new $25 wheel every 7 or 8 months. Hopefully everyone else has better luck than I have.
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A flat bastard file will resurface the face of your grit wheel in under a minute. A smooth file works well to refresh the slotted wheel. I've done mine once and didn't have any issues with reapplying the grit. Also, according to Richard, there are different grits available. Personally, I like the grit wheel better once it are broken in a little. I rarely go to the grit wheel anymore as a few passes on the slotted wheel easily brings the edge back.
 
I actually tried a bastard file and as I mentioned I have taken about a quarter inch of material off the wheels but there still remains a black waxy residue and nothing I have tried gets to bare paper.

I have tried a few different times so I guess I will try again and maybe even call the owner of the company. BTW these are the 'good' wheels I am using.
 
What glue are you using? I did not have good luck with the Elmers Carpenters Wood glue. RichardJ told me that I should be using plain ol' Elmers, not Crapenters.
 
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