Diamond grinding wheel speed

[Roger HeadParticipant @rogerhead16992]

I have a very hazy memory (20 years ago, or more) of watching an old toolmaker using a diamond wheel to touch up a very smooth , very sharp tool. My impression is that the speed was not very high, and I think there was a cup for coolant just above it. A simple gravity feed with a tap so that it was little more than a trickle. I seem to recall that kerosene was used. Can anyone tell me if there is a preferred speed (i.e. high, or low) for diamond/hss grinding, and if it was likely to have been kero for the coolant?
Thinking about it, there would have been very little heat involved, so maybe it was just to keep the wheel surface clean.

Thanks, Roger

[Roger HeadParticipant @rogerhead16992]

[AjohnwParticipant @ajohnw51620]

I found a bit of information – posted here

**LINK**

Kerosene ignites when vaporised so I doubt if any one uses that on a tool grinder. Suds I would have thought but I believe there are specialised liquids about for surface grinding etc.

John

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[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

> Kerosene ignites when vaporised so I doubt if any one uses that on a tool grinder.

I used to, paraffin or paraffin-based mixes are recommended for diamond wheels. No more hazardous than using it to cool aluminium when milling.

A gently application to the diamond wheel with a small brush, but I found that HSS doesn't really cause me any problems without it.

It doesn't get hot enough to generate noticeable vapour because the cuts are so tiny.

Neil

[Roger HeadParticipant @rogerhead16992]

Thanks guys.

Neil – good to know. I vaguely remember being surprised at the idea of using kerosene, but that was well before I knew anything about machining at all (I'm an EE).

John – thanks for the link, looks to be an interesting thread, and I'll follow up on the links you provided there.

I had another question, but I'll wait to see if I find the answer in those links first.

Roger

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