CBN Diamond Sharpening Wheel
When it comes to diamond sharpening tools, having the right grinding wheel can make all the difference. The best grinding wheels for this purpose are those that are factory balanced, ensuring that grinders run smoothly and efficiently. One such type of grinding wheel is the 1 1/2" face wheel, which doesn't require any dressing. This means that there is no mess associated with truing wheels or breathing in dust related to dressing wheels.
What's more, these grinding wheels put very little heat into the tool, which means that there is no bluing of the steel. This is important because bluing can weaken the tool and make it more prone to breaking or chipping. In fact, with these grinding wheels, you can still touch the end of the tool after a normal sharpening.
Another benefit of these grinding wheels is that they are safe to use without guards. This is because there is no chance of them blowing up, so you can remove the guards to get better light and no shadows when sharpening your tools. Of course, it is still important to use eye protection to avoid any potential accidents.
When it comes to grit, it is suggested to use 180 grit for beading tools, skews, and spindle gouges. For shaping and sharpening larger turning tools, 60 or 80 grit is recommended. Regardless of the grit, these grinding wheels produce a great edge that will help you get the most out of your lathe tools.
In summary, the best grinding wheels for sharpening lathe tools are those that are factory balanced, have a 1 1/2" face, and require no dressing. They put very little heat into the tool, don't cause bluing of the steel, and are safe to use without guards. By using the right grit for your specific tools, you can achieve a great edge that will help you achieve precision and accuracy in your turning projects.
Performance
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High Hardness: CBN is one of the hardest known materials, second only to natural diamond. This extreme hardness allows CBN sharpening wheels to efficiently sharpen even the hardest tool materials.
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Longevity: CBN sharpening wheels have a long service life due to their exceptional durability. They maintain their cutting edge and don't wear down as quickly as traditional abrasive wheels, reducing the frequency of wheel replacement.
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Consistent Performance: CBN wheels offer consistent and repeatable sharpening results. They maintain their shape and sharpness over time, ensuring that tools are consistently sharpened to the desired angles and profiles.
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Cool Cutting: Unlike some abrasive wheels that generate a lot of heat during sharpening, CBN wheels operate at cooler temperatures. This minimizes the risk of overheating and damaging the tool's temper or hardness.
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Precise Sharpening: CBN sharpening wheels are capable of achieving very fine and precise sharpening results. They can produce sharp edges with minimal burring or material removal.
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Versatility: CBN wheels can be used for a wide range of cutting tools, including turning tools, chisels, drill bits, and more. They are also suitable for sharpening high-speed steel and carbide inserts.
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Reduced Maintenance: Due to their long lifespan and minimal wear, CBN wheels require less maintenance and dressing compared to traditional abrasive wheels.
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Compatibility: CBN sharpening wheels can be used with various sharpening systems and machines, making them versatile and adaptable to different workshop setups.
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Reduced Dust and Debris: CBN wheels produce fewer dust and particles during sharpening, contributing to a cleaner and safer working environment.
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Efficient Material Removal: CBN wheels efficiently remove material while maintaining the tool's shape, reducing the time and effort required for sharpening.
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Cost-Effective: Although CBN wheels may have a higher upfront cost compared to some abrasive wheels, their longevity and consistent performance make them cost-effective in the long run.
Grit Range
CBN (Cubic Boron Nitride) diamond sharpening wheels come in various grit ranges to accommodate different sharpening needs and applications. The choice of grit size depends on the type of cutting tool or material you are sharpening and the desired level of sharpness or finish.General overview of common CBN sharpening wheel grit ranges:
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Coarse Grit (80 to 180):
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Coarse-grit CBN wheels are used for rapid material removal and reprofiling of tools.
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Suitable for sharpening heavily damaged or dull tools.
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Commonly used for shaping and rough sharpening.
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Medium Grit (220 to 400):
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Medium-grit CBN wheels provide a balance between material removal and sharpening precision.
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Ideal for general-purpose sharpening of tools, including turning tools, chisels, and drill bits.
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Suitable for restoring the cutting edge on moderately worn tools.
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Fine Grit (600 to 1,000):
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Fine-grit CBN wheels are used for achieving a sharp cutting edge with a smooth finish.
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Suitable for sharpening and honing woodworking tools, lathe tools, and carving tools.
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Ideal for maintaining the sharpness of tools without significant material removal.
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Extra Fine Grit (1,200 and above):
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Extra fine-grit CBN wheels are used for achieving an extremely sharp and polished edge.
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Commonly used for honing and polishing fine woodworking tools, knives, and blades.
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Ideal for achieving a mirror-like finish on the cutting edge.
Application
BN (Cubic Boron Nitride) diamond sharpening wheels have a wide range of applications in various industries and settings where precision sharpening and grinding of cutting tools and materials are required.Applications for CBN diamond sharpeningg wheels:
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Woodworking:
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Chisels: CBN wheels are used to sharpen woodworking chisels, ensuring a sharp edge for precise wood shaping and carving.
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Plane Blades: Plane blades require a keen edge for smooth and efficient planing. CBN wheels help maintain their sharpness.
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Turning Tools: Woodturning tools, such as gouges and skews, benefit from CBN sharpening wheels to maintain their cutting edges.
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Metalworking:
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Lathe Tools: CBN wheels are used to sharpen lathe tools, including carbide inserts and high-speed steel (HSS) tools, for turning, facing, and threading.
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Drill Bits: Precision grinding of drill bits is essential for accurate hole drilling. CBN wheels are used to sharpen twist drills.
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Milling Cutters: Sharpening milling cutters ensures efficient material removal in milling operations.
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Tool and Die Making: Tool and die makers use CBN wheels to maintain sharp punches, dies, and other precision cutting tools.
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Cutlery and Knife Sharpening:
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CBN sharpening wheels are employed in professional and home kitchens to sharpen and maintain the edges of kitchen knives, ensuring clean and precise cutting.
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Metal Fabrication:
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Metal fabricators use CBN wheels to sharpen and maintain the edges of metal cutting tools, such as saw blades and shearing blades.
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Aerospace and Automotive:
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CBN wheels are used for sharpening and maintaining cutting tools and inserts used in the aerospace and automotive industries for machining and fabrication.
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Tool and Cutter Grinding:
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Tool and cutter grinders use CBN wheels to precisely grind and sharpen various cutting tools, including end mills, reamers, and broaches.
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Glass and Ceramic Processing:
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CBN sharpening wheels are employed to cut, shape, and sharpen glass and ceramic materials used in glassworking and ceramic industries.
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Jewelry Making:
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Jewelers use CBN wheels for sharpening and shaping precision tools used in jewelry crafting and repair.
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Medical and Dental Instruments:
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Precision instruments used in the medical and dental fields, such as dental drills and surgical tools, are often sharpened using CBN wheels.
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Hobbyist and DIY Use:
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Hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts use CBN sharpening wheels for various tasks, including sharpening hand tools, garden tools, and crafting tools.
Diamension
CBN (Cubic Boron Nitride) diamond sharpening wheels are available in various diameters to suit different sharpening machines and applications. The choice of wheel diameter depends on the size and type of cutting tools you plan to sharpen.List of common CBN diamond sharpening wheel diameters:
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6-inch CBN sharpening Wheel: This size is commonly used in small benchtop sharpening machines and is suitable for sharpening a variety of tools, including chisels, plane blades, and small turning tools.
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8-inch CBN sharpening Wheel: An 8-inch wheel offers a larger sharpening surface than the 6-inch version. It is popular for general-purpose sharpening tasks and can handle a wider range of tool sizes.
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10-inch CBN Sharpening Wheel: Larger 10-inch wheels provide more surface area for sharpening larger tools and blades. They are suitable for professional workshops and industrial applications.
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12-inch CBN sharpening Wheel: 12-inch wheels are larger and well-suited for industrial sharpening tasks, including the sharpening of industrial cutting tools, milling cutters, and saw blades.
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14-inch CBN sharpening Wheel: These larger wheels are used in heavy-duty industrial settings for sharpening large cutting tools and blades used in metalworking and woodworking.
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16-inch CBN sharpening Wheel: The 16-inch wheel offers a substantial sharpening surface and is typically found in large industrial sharpening equipment used for high-volume sharpening.
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Custom Sizes: In addition to the standard sizes mentioned above, manufacturers may offer custom-sized CBN sharpening wheels to meet specific requirements or fit unique sharpening setups.