So I sorta messed up on my paper wheel...

E

eccvets

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For some reason my paper wheel grit side was not cutting as much as I though it should be. I had loaded it up with the wax initially and then would use it about every 6 knifes or so. It looked flat and I didnt think there was very much grit left so I took a 36 grit sandpaper on a ceramic block and trued up the wheel so that I could recondition/reglue new grit on to it. after I had stopped about 2/3's way thru sanding the wheel, I stopped to check my progress and I noticed that there was actually quite a bit of grit left. I guess I had put so much wax on the grit side that I couldnt really feel any. there were high and low areas on the wheel so at least I got that flatten/evened out and the glue/grit is drying right now. No real perment damage but I feel somewhat stupid and its a waste of time and grit.

my question is how do you guys know if there is any grit left, do you use a heat gun to melt the wax away? do you guys lightly sand the wheel? I'm apparently using way too much wax so how are you suppose to use the wax? how often do you apply the wax? how much wax are you suppose to apply?
 
There are lots of guys here that are real experts with this. whenever my grit wheel acts like there''s something amiss, I use a wheel dresser to true it up and remove the wax. You might try this. They are found in most grinding sections of auto parts stores with the grinding stones.

A dab of wax will do you. I actually put a dab on my finger and rub it in like that without the wheel running, seems to gt the wax on thinner and more evenly.
 
I suspect you're putting way too much wax on. With everything you've done so far, I'd probably just sand it down and then reapply the grit. You don't need to put a lot of wax on.
 
How interesting. I bought my wheels over 6 months ago and I have yet to need to reapply the grit wheel.
 
i never see any sparks fly when I use the grit wheel like when richardJ and others do their videos. Is this normal? too much wax=no sparks? should you see sparks when you use the grit wheel?
 
1. Put the wax on by applying the wax cake to the spinning wheel like you're pressing a button, press, then let off. That's all it takes, press it on, sweep across, let off.

2. You need more wax when the wheel starts sparking. When it sparks, put more wax on.

3. If you put too much on or you think it needs cleaning, I use an India rubber belt dresser (basically a giant pencil eraser, available from woodworking shops). Hold this to the spinning wheel and it removes everything but the grit in about a second. The wheel looks nearly new, put a kiss of wax on and get back to work.
 
I would like to know how you guys are re-gritting the wheel. I can't get all the wax off and the wheel is black and the new grit won't stick. I have actually made the wheel smaller using sand paper and can't get it clean enough for the glue to hold. I can't use my wheels as of now and consider them a loss. Are others able to get down to the natural color of the paper?
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
I would like to know how you guys are re-gritting the wheel. I can't get all the wax off and the wheel is black and the new grit won't stick. I have actually made the wheel smaller using sand paper and can't get it clean enough for the glue to hold. I can't use my wheels as of now and consider them a loss. Are others able to get down to the natural color of the paper?
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with the 36 grit sandpaper it went down to bare paper pretty quickly with out really taking off too much after I had rounded/trued up the wheel. how are you taking off the old grit/wax?
 
What type of glue are you using to re-grit? I was using Elmers Carpenters Wood Glue with poor results. RichardJ told me that plain old Elmers worked the best and he was right.
 
Um, not sure you should be applying wax to the grit covered wheel at all, the wax is for the other wheel.

Richard
 
Tinbasher said:
Um, not sure you should be applying wax to the grit covered wheel at all, the wax is for the other wheel.

Richard
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This is not correct. The wax is for the grit wheel to lubricate thus preventing excessive heat. You should not be putting wax on the slotted wheel.
 
morrowj_98 said:
This is not correct. The wax is for the grit wheel to lubricate thus preventing excessive heat. You should not be putting wax on the slotted wheel.
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MM Ok I stand corrected.

Wasn't sure how you would regrit once the wheel is covered in polishing compound

Richard
 
I used some titebondII woodglue. still waiting for it to dry before I test it out.
 
I get the grit off with a file and grinding wheel (just holding it to the grit wheel) and finish it with sandpaper.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
I would like to know how you guys are re-gritting the wheel. I can't get all the wax off and the wheel is black and the new grit won't stick. I have actually made the wheel smaller using sand paper and can't get it clean enough for the glue to hold. I can't use my wheels as of now and consider them a loss. Are others able to get down to the natural color of the paper?
Click to expand...

I used 36 grit sand paper wrapped around a piece of 2x4. It gets down to paper pretty quick.
 
Tinbasher said:
MM Ok I stand corrected.

Wasn't sure how you would regrit once the wheel is covered in polishing compound

Richard
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It's wax not polishing compound, at least for the grit wheel. Polishing compound IS for the slotted wheel.

I used 36 grit sand paper to try and remove everything. Didn't work so I tried 60, 100, and on up to see if fine would work which it did not. I backed the sandpaper with a piece of flat stock steel. After that I tried a file. Nothing was able to get all the black wax gunk off and its like it just smears it around and the wheel is now at least an 1/8" smaller than the slotted wheel. I tried gluing the grit on anyways using plain elmers white glue with no luck. I let it dry a couple days and the first time I used it the grit came off in large patches. I have tried cleaning it up a half dozen times and put grit on 3 times with no luck and I'm at a loss of what to do at this point.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
It's wax not polishing compound, at least for the grit wheel. Polishing compound IS for the slotted wheel.

I used 36 grit sand paper to try and remove everything. Didn't work so I tried 60, 100, and on up to see if fine would work which it did not. I backed the sandpaper with a piece of flat stock steel. After that I tried a file. Nothing was able to get all the black wax gunk off and its like it just smears it around and the wheel is now at least an 1/8" smaller than the slotted wheel. I tried gluing the grit on anyways using plain elmers white glue with no luck. I let it dry a couple days and the first time I used it the grit came off in large patches. I have tried cleaning it up a half dozen times and put grit on 3 times with no luck and I'm at a loss of what to do at this point.
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That is strange. I have and use 4 different grit wheels and I've never had anything like this happen. It might be worth the time to call the manufacturer and see what they have to say about it.
 
FlaMtnBkr said:
It's wax not polishing compound, at least for the grit wheel. Polishing compound IS for the slotted wheel.

I used 36 grit sand paper to try and remove everything. Didn't work so I tried 60, 100, and on up to see if fine would work which it did not. I backed the sandpaper with a piece of flat stock steel. After that I tried a file. Nothing was able to get all the black wax gunk off and its like it just smears it around and the wheel is now at least an 1/8" smaller than the slotted wheel. I tried gluing the grit on anyways using plain elmers white glue with no luck. I let it dry a couple days and the first time I used it the grit came off in large patches. I have tried cleaning it up a half dozen times and put grit on 3 times with no luck and I'm at a loss of what to do at this point.
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That is what I thought would happen, buy a new wheel and don't use the wax on it.

Richard
 
eccvets, send me your phone number and i'll give you a call and help you out. (fill out your profile too). check out my paper wheel tips page that has a lot of info on it http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=608864

there is also some info on mikes website http://www.sharpeningwheels.com/

tinbasher, the wax goes on the grit wheel, the white polishing compound goes on the slotted wheel. you never apply wax to the slotted wheel or the white compound to the grit wheel.

in one of my vids you will see sparks because its a carbon steel knife. stainless steel makes little to no sparks when sharpened on the grit wheel.

morrowj_98 posted the best way to clean up the grit wheel when you are going to regrit it. thats how i have cleaned up mine going on 20 years. the same method works to clean and true up the slotted wheel.

if you need to clean up the grit wheel, use a small stainless steel wire brush (i have one just a little bigger than a toothbrush). with the wheel stopped, rub the brush across the wheel while slowly moving it by hand. put a little wax on and with your thumb, rub the wax in the grit and keep going until you make it all the way around.

FlaMtnBkr :D you have more problems than anyone i know who uses the wheels :p. i need to have a long talk with you some evening :D

i wanted to add that my headaches are back and reading makes it worse so i have been staying off the forum so i wont be tempted to read. email me with any questions and include a phone number where i can call if you live in the states or canada.
 
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