Hi there,
I am having problems with my regular DRY bench grinder. No matter how carefully I sharp my gravers, applying only short contacts with the stone and cooling them in water quickly, the smallest ones are very difficult to sharp without softening or burning them. Now I am considering purchasing a wet grinder.
Since the difference of price between a regular wet grinder and the finest (and expensive!) Tormek is huge, I would like to know if it's possible to use a standard model like the one in the picture.
Thanks in advance.
Comments
You should never use a dry bench grinder on any of your gravers this will take the temper out of the steel and render it useless for cutting.
The wet stone grinder that you have shown is good, but you may want to change the stone to a finer grit, these are normally white in colour, once you have honed your graver you just need to keep the edge on them with your oil stone, it should take quiet a while before you use the wet stone again to take some of the top angle off, the idea of this is so you can see the cutting tip better.
Hugh
I have several bench and large floor-standing grinders, including a 14" wet grinder (a converted AMMCO brake lathe). The Tormek really is all that if you have more than just a handful of tools to grind. I use it on everything from carving to turning tools, chisels, redoing of kitchen knives and much more. The Tormek clones are hardly worth the time unless one has only a few tools to grind.
Mike
I am also considering to purchase a Scheppach wet grinder. Of all Tormek alternatives, this seems to be the one with better reviews. Any opinion?
Regardless of the sharpening surface, your variables are speed and grit.
I bought one to try and avoid the expense of a Tormek. The major drawbacks to the machine are these: the motor is poor. You can slow the wheel down, even stop it, even with what seems like moderate pressure. The Tormek has a pricier motor which doesn't falter.
Also my wheel wobbles, and from what I've read that is a common problem. This machine uses cheaper materials for the shaft than the Tormek. However Tormek tools fit the crossbar on the Sheppach/ Grizzly. I couldn't get a straight edge on a chisel, because of the wobble, until I bought a Tormek truing tool; it wears the wheel away and compensated for the wobble.
So it is a way to get a cheaper grinder, that runs slow and is water cooled; but not without its issues. With small gravers you may not have any issue with the motor. I would recommend getting the truing tool if you get one. You asked the question in June so may have solved your problem by now!
That's why I only use hand grinding stones for my wood carving chisels and planes. You have way more control and there is no way to ruin the temper. I use a variety, running from course to extremely fine Japanese water stones and diamond hones.