Diamond wheel grade for T&C grinding

[Martin of WickParticipant @martinofwick]

Am applying to the forum for some guidance…

For conventional grinding, I have always used a W36 to shape HSS tools and 60 or 80 grit to finish and recently a 60 green grit to shape/sharpen brazed carbide. Sometimes, a tool may get a final hone with an appropriate grade of slipstone. I use the usual budget style 3000 rpm grinder with a collection of various rests and guides etc.

This system has worked for me for a long time, but in order to move with the times, I was thinking of trying an EP diamond wheel (now they are affordable) to see if I could improve my efforts on the brazed carbide tools

So, my question is what would be appropriate grain sizes for EP diamond wheels for use on the hobby grinder ( was thinking of getting 80 and 120 grits for finish grinding). Is there any point going any finer?

Can you use the 40 grit ones for shaping, or does the abrasive just get ripped of the substrate on HSS?

Secondly, are the diamond impregnated resin wheels any better than EP diamond? Also, most of the affordable impregnated resin wheels seem to be in the fine range of 150 to 180 grit. Are these any use for sharpening, or are they only for final honing and polishing up of carbide inserts?

When they get clogged, how do you clean diamond wheels, ultrasonic cleaner, acid, some other method?

Ta.

[Martin of WickParticipant @martinofwick]

[David George 1Participant @davidgeorge1]

You use a diamond wheel dressing stone. It removes the matrix leaving diamond exposed. Just use it when the wheel dosnt cut.

David

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Can the EP ones actually be dressed?

[JohnFParticipant @johnf59703]

Martin, Some info here on a previous post **LINK** worth typing just Diamond into the forum search

John

[Martin of WickParticipant @martinofwick]

I read through some of the past posts, and apart from a sideways reference to a hyper fine 1200 grit wheel, I could see no reference or discussion as to what practical grit sizes are in common use.

Bearing in mind I have managed quite well on quite coarsely ground tools, I cant imagine wanting to spend time on lapping anything to a nano finish. So was wondering whether there was any point to grit sizes beyond 120 for practical sharpening/touch up.

I don't know if EP discs can be cleaned or not. All I know is my diamond hand laps are getting clogged. not even sure if these are sintered or EP.

[KhefinParticipant @khefin]

Martin,

I have cleaned my diamond hones simply with a tooth brush and lighter fuel/spirit wipe (petrol), cellulose thinners, methylated spirits or acetone, depending how stubborn the clogging is. Just test if your hones are sensitive to these solvents. I assume that it would probably work with the wheel, provided it is also not sensitive to these solvents.

Kevin.

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