Sharpening with bench grinder

11/28/05, 6:53 PM #1

STAPLES
Guest

Sharpening with bench grinder

STAPLES

>Just got one of those bench grinders that has one dry and 1 wet stone. I want to use it to sharpen carving and turning chisels. The wet stone I believe is ment to run in water. My question is, is there any advantage or disadvantage to using cutting oil instead? I am hoping it would run cooler and give a smother cut. All ideas welcome.

Re: Sharpening with bench grinder

11/28/05, 7:10 PM #2

Dan Donaldson
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5,264 posts

Registered: 9/17/01

Re: Sharpening with bench grinder

Dan Donaldson

>I wouldn't use oil on it. The stone is designed for water. I doubt that you would get the results you want with oil, and it would be very messy in that application.

- - -

I have been woodworking for about 25 years now, and would consider myself an enthusiastic amateur. My claim to fame (or infamy) has always been fixing stuff. I spent time in the Air Force in the 60's then went to work as an electronic technician for civil service. I finally got my EE, and being fed up with the civil service nonsense, took a job with Ford Motor Company until I went with the split to Visteon last year. I got interested in music and started playing in a bluegrass band. I wanted a new guitar, and that kind of led me into woodworking. I bought some books, a few tools, and built a guitar. Luckily, I didn't know any better than to try that as a first ever project. I still play it when I get a chance, so it must not be too bad if it can live for over 20 years. After a stint in Mexico for my job, I moved into a new house and built a small shop. Since then I have been collecting tools and skills, probably more of the former than the latter ;-). Finding this site has done more for my skills and enjoyment than anything else. I have learned a lot and really enjoy the friendships that I have made here. I have been married to LOML (Lori) for 32 years now and have 6 kids. When they are all gone, I want to get a 1 bedroom house (so there is not room for them to move back in) and at least a 6 car heated/air conditioned garage for a shop. (Dream on...)

Re: Sharpening with bench grinder

11/28/05, 10:43 PM #3

William Duffield, on the Cohansey
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Re: Sharpening with bench grinder

William Duffield, on the Cohansey

>You don't want it slinging oil all over the room, either. The cutting oil I use is toxic, and comes with warning labels. Read your cutting oil container before you decide to use it.

Water is designed to evaporate, thus carrying away significant amounts of heat from the edge as heat of evaporation and steam and drips. Cutting oil is designed to remain a liquid at extremely high temperatures, thus maintaining lubrication of the cutting tool, but not so effectively carrying away heat at a low enough temperature to maintain the hardness of your blade edge. Also, you don't know what the cutting oil will do the the binder in your stone. It might seriously weaken it.

Re: Sharpening with bench grinder

11/29/05, 1:41 AM #4

ThomD
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Registered: 4/19/04

Re: Sharpening with bench grinder

ThomD

>The obvious advantage to oil is it doesn't freeze. If like me you work in marginal winter digs, a wet stone can freeze and break up. Still you can't use oil on your waterstones. The water lubricates and softens the stone just the right amount to allow them to cut quickly. Oil can render the stone completely useless depending on the composition.

Sharpening with bench grinder

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