Pottery wheel as disc grinder?

[Leon Husock]

I have an old pottery wheel with an adjustable speed pedal; could I buy some PSA sanding discs and use it as a disc grinder? I think it's something like 10-12" wide. Also, what are disc grinders used for? I see a lot of videos where people have them but I can't quite figure out specifically what I would use one for instead of using a belt grinder. Thanks!

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I don't see why it wouldn't work as a slow speed disc grinder. Many disc grinders are too fast anyway.

Disc grinders are used to flatten and shape the blade bevels and tang. Because you can flatten it all at the same time, it avoids grind lines and errors.

If it has a splash shield, it will have to be removed.

 

[Leon Husock]

Cool! Yeah it had a splash shield/water trough thing around it I already cut off. Seems like a good way to put a higher finish on knives after the rough grind is done than I can do with my belt sander (I'm using a grizzly and belt bump gets to be a real problem past 220 grit), which could take some work off my hand sanding which would be nice.