When using an electric grinder to make or sharpen lathe tools, wear safety glasses and follow safety protocols. Adjust the tool holder, keep water nearby, and refer to the user manual. Plan the process based on the desired tool design and use a combination of coarse and fine wheels for finishing.
Lathe tools are often made using an electric grinder. When working with an electric grinder, it is important to wear safety glasses and follow all necessary safety protocols. One of the best tips for lathe tool grinding is to refer to the user manual to ensure proper operation. Other than safety, the best tips for lathe tool grinding are to adjust the tool holder, keep water nearby, and determine which tool design you need. Other important tips might include approaching the part one side at a time and properly finishing the lathe accessories.
Many of these tips can also be applied to the process of sharpening previously formed lathe accessories. A lathe tool sharpener has a number of requirements, such as making changes to the layout of the machine, that almost always apply to electric grinders. These adjustments can help you successfully grind lathe tools.
Adjusting the tool holder, for example, can prevent the metal piece from slipping off the grindstone. For some tools, it is necessary to set the tool holder at an appropriate angle to achieve the desired design. Especially in the initial stages, it may be necessary to rest the metal piece while grinding to an initial shape or flat surface.
When forming or sharpening lathe tools this way, one concern is that the metal may get hot. While many modern tool steel blanks are not easily damaged by overheating, it may still be a good idea to cool the workpiece in the process. Depending on the type of tool formed or sharpened, cooling may be more or less necessary throughout the process.
One tip for lathe tool grinding is to think ahead and plan the process based on the desired tool design. It is often necessary to form the specific angles of a turning tool in an optimal order. A lathe tool grinder will form flat surfaces, so you may need to finish forming one side at a time. Many of the cutting edges need to be perfectly flat, so you may need to apply enough pressure for this to happen.
Finishing options vary depending on tool design. Grinding lathe tools often requires a combination of training with a coarse wheel and honing with a fine wheel. In many cases, it may be helpful to use a whetstone to hone the final edges of the lathe tool. Other final sharpening tools might include fine files of extremely fine grinds.
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