11-28-2017, 04:36 AM
Good thoughts, Rupert.
Although certainly not new, I think larger diameter grinders (eight and ten inches) are only recently entering the mindset of the home workshop. I still have my six inch (now worn to around five inches) grinder from 1972. I believe most of our attitudes about hollow grinding go back to those earlier times.
I do not remember our present 1x42 and larger belt grinders being prevalent back then.
At my request, our own Grepper posted some microscope photos on another forum. Grepper's photos clearly showed the difference made by having the last pass or two be very light. For all of our grit standardization, I agree that there is much to be said for the individual grinder's touch. Our Tormeks, Viels, Kallys, TASs, etc. are marvelous labor saving machines, but for fine work, all depend on the operator's skill. The manufacturers of these fine machines seem more concerned with marketing them than with training operators to become really skilled. Vocational and formal training seems on the decline. Digital technology offers enormous educational potential, however, that potential seems largely untapped. We can and should do better.
Ken
Although certainly not new, I think larger diameter grinders (eight and ten inches) are only recently entering the mindset of the home workshop. I still have my six inch (now worn to around five inches) grinder from 1972. I believe most of our attitudes about hollow grinding go back to those earlier times.
I do not remember our present 1x42 and larger belt grinders being prevalent back then.
At my request, our own Grepper posted some microscope photos on another forum. Grepper's photos clearly showed the difference made by having the last pass or two be very light. For all of our grit standardization, I agree that there is much to be said for the individual grinder's touch. Our Tormeks, Viels, Kallys, TASs, etc. are marvelous labor saving machines, but for fine work, all depend on the operator's skill. The manufacturers of these fine machines seem more concerned with marketing them than with training operators to become really skilled. Vocational and formal training seems on the decline. Digital technology offers enormous educational potential, however, that potential seems largely untapped. We can and should do better.
Ken