Tooling arm and 10" wheel

[navman]

Going to dip my foot into hollow grinding. Getting ready to order a 10" wheel and tooling arm from Reeder. I have a Pheer grinder. What length arm do I need?

 

[Keith Nix]

Call Reeder and talk to Greg or Don. They won't steer you wrong.

 

[Keith Nix]

Actually their wheels are great also. One stop shopping!

 

[navman]

Talked to Greg, and settled on a 10" wheel (smooth), 20" arm and associated shaft.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

I would order the wheel from Reeder. They balance and lathe them to insane tolerances. Use the standard length tool arm. 23.5" should be fine. As suggested, call Greg or Don and ask.

 

[navman]

Excited! The 10 inch wheel, arm and pivot should be delivered tomorrow. Went to Lowes and purchased some mild steel bar, profiled to a drop point and will use that to practice the first few grinds. Time to go back to basics....practice, practice....practice!

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

Do yourself a favor and get some cheap knife steel like 1084/1075/5160. Use it to learn on. It isn't much more expensive than the welding steel from Lowes (only 30% more). The ones that look good can be used for practicing HT and finishing. The ones that come out good are real knives. The ones that don't come out right should be pounded into the wall studs or a board for hanging belts on.

I don't know where you are in NC, but if you are up this way I'll give you a good amount to learn on. You might want to add a town to your profile.

 

[navman]

Hi Stacy! I actually used to live right up the road from you when I was stationed at Little Creek. I'm down in Sanford now near Fayetteville. I definitely appreciate the offer, I'll be linking up with Jamin Brackett, who lives relatively close.

I've been flat grinding for a bit...figured it was time to try something new.

 

[Stacy E. Apelt - Bladesmith]

If you are up here anytime give me a shout.

 

[navman]

First practice grind on the wheel! I don't know why I didn't do this sooner! This is only mild steel, but I will be grinding on some 3V that I have to go into my next HT batch to Peters'. Decided to take it high and then cut the blade to check the cross section. Seems decent for a rough 60 grit. No jigs, just my tool rest and hands.

I was initially thinking I may need to order a 14 inch wheel...but maybe not! we'll see.