03-14-2017, 03:50 AM
I recently did some testing of CBN grinding wheels with the Tormek. Specifically, I wanted to see if using a 180 grit CBN wheel would make the slow speed Tormek, an excellent tool for resharpening, into an efficient reshaping grinder. Short answer: in my opinion, it does. Minor reshaping is accomplished in only a couple minutes; a major reshaping test I did required a few minutes more. The CBN wheel did not glaze and cut efficiently throughout the testing.
The focus here is BESS. In later testing, I compared the edges of 80 and 180 grits with a spindle gouge. I also compared BESS readings for the same gouge sharpened with the wheel turning into the tool and trailing (turning away from the tool).
Especially with the 80 grit, there was quite a burr. BESS was close to 500. However, with just a visit with the leather honing wheel, BESS cleaned up to 130. I prefer the conventional Tormek SG grinding wheel for smooth sharpening, however, the quickly obtained 130 is not too shabby.
BESS gave me a very quick practical sharpness measurement, and one which would be understood by sharpeners anywhere. I find it a very useful tool.
Ken
The focus here is BESS. In later testing, I compared the edges of 80 and 180 grits with a spindle gouge. I also compared BESS readings for the same gouge sharpened with the wheel turning into the tool and trailing (turning away from the tool).
Especially with the 80 grit, there was quite a burr. BESS was close to 500. However, with just a visit with the leather honing wheel, BESS cleaned up to 130. I prefer the conventional Tormek SG grinding wheel for smooth sharpening, however, the quickly obtained 130 is not too shabby.
BESS gave me a very quick practical sharpness measurement, and one which would be understood by sharpeners anywhere. I find it a very useful tool.
Ken