power grinding and temper

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kkj87a

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im aware that using power grinders may affect your temper. is it possible to use a power grinder lightly and not affect temper? is the temper only affected if the steel begins to change color and can it be affected with out any visible signs?

if i run the grinder on a low rpm and just tap on an off the blade with the grinder, grinding in small increments... will the heat build instantly and then dissipate immediately, with me unable to feel the heat immediately after i remove the grinder from the steel?
 
Keep the blade cool and have a water bucket and dipp after every other pass or if the blade get uncomfortably hot then it is time to dip in water. If you cet any color change then you might have ruined the temper on that spot.
 
Grind without gloves, if the steel is too hot to hold, dip it in water.
 
Most of the steels we work with will not show color at temperatures that will damage the temper. For example, 1095 tempered at 400 will probably not show a color if it hits 450. D2 tempered at 450 won't show color after a short trip to 500 (even though 1095 probably would). Some stainless won't show color even after a short trip to fairly high temperatures.

If you see color, you've probably screwed up.

Low speed, fresh sharp belts, and dipping every other pass is pretty safe. But if you go too slow and dwell too long in one spot and sizzle the water on the blade - you're pushing your luck. Keep it cool and you'll be fine.
 
nice, thanks. what about this question though?

if i run the grinder on a low rpm and just tap on an off the blade with the grinder, grinding in small increments... will the heat build instantly and then dissipate immediately, with me unable to feel the heat immediately after i remove the grinder from the steel?

or if im grinding a very thick blade? i messed up the first time i ever did this and the axe i was thinning was changing color... couldnt feel it hot though due to the thickness of the blade but these are 2 different issues still. im just wondering if its possible for the spot im grinding to get TOO hot but by the time i lift the abrasive off the steel and touch it its already cooled, masking the damage? this possible? or would the steel pretty much always stay hot for at least a good few seconds? im talking about warm weather here
 
Keep your work moving, dip every time. Yes, heat builds very fast, but it dissipates very slowly. In the machine shop, I have even used ice water when working on pieces that needed a lot of work in the summer because the water would get so hot.
 
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