John in NM
Only cheaper and less rigorous if anything. I think the wheel cost me $9 at the used tool store where I got the grinder (a 6" Rockwell) around 1995. The wheel I use most is a soft brown wheel, probably silicon carbide. Friable wheel and a light touch and you have no significant heat problems. I don't have a wheel dresser, but I think I may finally get around to replacing this wheel and I may pick one up.

The other wheel is some hard white thing. Mistake. Hardly ever use it. I may replace it with a hard scotchbrite wheel, those are fantastic for deburring parts and I really only need one wheel for tool grinding.