Which two CBN wheel grits?

[3D Anvil]

So I'm thinking about turning my love of sharpening into a part-time business and considering what equipment I'd use in that capacity. I've ruled out belt grinders (but see below) because I don't want to have to worry about burned edges. I think I'm going to start out with a Tormek T-8 converted to run two CBN wheels. I reckon I need to be able to get a knife from dull to sharp in 1-2 minutes to make it worth my while. I'm wondering if I could get by with 400 as my coarse grit, which I'd follow up with something in 800-1200. Or if I had to go lower, to something like 200 grit, would 800 then be too big a jump? Or would 600 provide a good enough final finish (before stropping)?

To start, I'll probably use my KO belt grinder with leather belts for stropping/final finish. Eventually I may swap that out for a half-speed grinder with felt/paper wheels.

Thoughts? Comments? I realize that turning a hobby into a profession can suck the fun out of it, but I think I'm going to give it a go anyway. The total investment isn't so big that it would be a problem if I decide it's not my cup of tea.

 

[Engine]

what did you decide? I am having the same quandary

 

[Blade Lab]

First off, I'd say that 1-2 minutes per knife is unrealistic unless you're freehanding on the Tormek. Seven to eight minutes is about what I can do using jigs.

As for CBN wheels, I think 600 grit is the best one-wheel solution. It cuts fast enough to sharpen pretty quickly, while it leaves a relatively refined but still toothy edge after honing on 1 micron diamond and/or aluminum oxide compound. For a second wheel I'd recommend something in the 80-200 grit range for reprofiling and taking out large chips. You won't use it all the time, but it saves a lot of time when needed.