uses for big wheels

[jdm61]

I do not do any hollow grinding, nor do I plan to.....just a personal preference. As such, I never bought a contact wheel larger than 4 inches for my KMG. But as I learn more and screw stuff up more, I am starting to think that there may be some uses for say a 10 inch wheel other than hollow grinding. Aside from obvious stuff like handle sanding, one thing that comes to mind is setting the bevels on a clip without ending up with the wrinkles and divots you get from a small wheel. What do you guys use your big wheels for other than hollow grinding?

 

[Sam Salvati]

You can vertical flat grind on a large enough wheel, larger the better less divets.

 

[jdm61]

It seems to me that it also would be better for general profiling tasks than the platen. I need a few more reasons to pony up the long green that these suckers cost, so keep those ideas coming.

 

[Justin.Mercier]

I do flat grinding on a 10" wheel, and then finish the flat grind on the platen.

 

[TekSec]

I use the 8" on my Grizz for profiling the handle, scooping the slabs, rounding the butt, giving the edge a recurve, profiling and edging sheaths (leather or Kydex). Pretty much anything that needs a curve. Also you can set the depth for a tapered tang by hollow grinding then finish up on the platen. I've also heard (never seen) some full tangs that are hollowed out to remove material / weight leaving untapered edges.

 

[Mace]

Joe, Do you really need an excuse to buy more toys?
Mace

 

[Bruce Bump]

I use my 14" for just everyday hogging and grinding stuff. It works great for contouring handles and guards. I love the big hollow grinds it makes also.

 

[jdm61]

Joe, Do you really need an excuse to buy more toys?
Mace

At this point, yes....lol.

 

[S.Knowles]

Other than all of the above good uses, Its really ALOT easier on your belts when profiling as opposed to the Platen.

Shawn

 

[David Schott]

I use a 12" serrated wheel for all my rough profiling, hogging, etc....if it hadn't come with my grinder when i bought it, i'd probably have gone for a 2" serrated on my platen and left it at that....

My small wheel attachment, however, is the best thing since sliced bread. I do lots of smaller curves in my handles and that attachment is PERFECT.

 

[AcridSaint]

The wheel is much nicer for profiling. An 8" wheel can be used to grind a nice swept clip. Even if you're a flat grinder, you can grind with a wheel first and cleanup with the platen. It saves some time since it's a lot faster removing stock with a wheel.