Ken is a good guy; I purchased a set of wheels from him, and he asked me, "Do you need washers?" I didn't get his questions so I said, "No". Turns out I did, but I also do metal working and quickly fabbed a washer about 3/16" thick. The threads on a grinder shaft may be too short for the nut to snug up on the hub of a CBN wheel so you may need some washers to make up the difference.
I took your advise and checked out the CBN wheels. I had questions about compatibility with my grinder and the Wolverine setup. i called Woodturners Wonders and left a message. Ken called me back within ten minutes and got me on the right track! He really knows his stuff! He got me set up with what a newbie to wood turning needs to be successful. I really enjoy your tutorials. Thanks for the heads up!
Stumpy really does read your comments! I left a silly one and he very politely corrected me. Thanks for the great content and caring about your community.
First time I have come across your videos ( new to woodturning) and I have to say that I was very impressed and will be looking for more in the very near future - thank you
at the last minute, before i put an order in for a cbn wheel and a 1/2 hp ricon slow rpm, i remembered seeing a stumpy video advising a quick watch before making a purchase. wow, would i have been mad at myself when i realized one size doesnt fit all! I didnt realize the difference in sharpening/grinding. thanks for taking the time to share your wisdom with us newbies.
Because of your video I have begun to explore obtaining a grinding system. I did contact Wood Turners Wonder, I look forward to obtain my first system. By the way - I told the man I spoke with that I became formal with WTW because of your video. They spoke very highly of you. And let me finish with a Thank You for your informative, teaching videos. Beging wood turner and wood worker.
Great video. I reiterate your comment about Ken at WoodTurnersWonders. I had the pleasure of talking to him last year and he set me up with his Kodiak Turning System. I never in my life would have imagined how sharp my tools were after using his equipment and jigs. I previously had been using a WorkSharp 3000 with diamond disc and had changed over and tried Ken's CBN disc before I bought the Kodiak system. Great company and the best CS and knowledgeable staff I've dealt with in a long time.
Stump, I tell you again, you're the best woodworking guy here. You've convinced me to get rid of my WEN Tormak-type and go with a pair of CBNs. The diamond wheels are overpriced, and you explained the grit thing. Thanks.
Absolute genius how your title had the "before you watch this" at the end. I clicked on it so fast my eyes hadn't stopped giggling. Don't buy CBN wheels? Whaaaaaat?!? You're a smart fellow, my man.
Thank you for posting this James. I am a professional woodturner with 28 years of experience and CBN's have changed sharpening in leaps and bounds. The technological advancements by Woodturnerswonders.com to CBN wheels is unparalleled. I use the Mega Jumbo Square in 80 grit and the 350 grit radius 4-in-1 on a 1 HP Rikon grinder and could not be more pleased with the set up I use. Clean, easy, precise, repeatable sharpening for the highest quality of sharpness on any grind is what is possible each and every time with CBN wheels from Woodturnerswonders.com. When sharpening using CBN wheels, less material is removed from the tool, the tool does not become overheated which degrades the quality of the tool and the tools last about three times as long as sharpening using a conventional stone. Another huge health advantage to using CBN's over stone wheel are that CBN's are not carcinogenic (cancer causing) like the stone wheels that have been used for years. There is zero cancer causing dust created in the sharpening process when using CBN wheels. As a woodturner who make a living turning 50 hours per week it is piece-of-mind to know that I am now using a much safer product that produces no harmful carcinogenic airborne particulate matter.
Along with the CBN wheels that Ken sells, I love the CBN pocket hones (600/1000 grit) that he sells. I bought one for my shop and liked it so much that I bought one for the kitchen to sharpen my knives.
Nice job explaining the difference configurations of wheels. I’m very pleased with my 1 HP slow speed Rikon with two CBN wheels from Ken Rizza. I have a Mega Square on one side and 4-in-1 on the other side. They are amazing wheels and the system is balanced very well. Sometimes I sharpen, turn off the grinder and when I go back to resharpen before a final cut the grinder is still coasting down from previous sharpening. Since the wheels done wear I am taking a very minor amount off the tool for reshaping.
very informative, straight up and honest. I REALLY appreciate your break down (wood turners vs workers and if you could only afford to buy one / two) it is very valuable info/guidance. Thank You
I put a CBN wheel on a Delta variable speed grinder. I love the wheel and mostly love the grinder except in very cold weather in my unheated shop. I’ve blown several of the internal slo-blow fuses as the grinder worked up to speed with the heavy wheel. I finally replaced the 10 amp fuses with 12.5 amp and no more problem in cold weather. It became a PITA to repeatedly have to unmount the grinder from the bench, turn it over, and open it up to replace fuses.
James, I just bought the 1hp grinder with two mega wheels, a 180 grit and a 350 grit, as part of their complete sharpening system. After talking to Karen at WoodturnersWonders she had made a good case that the 600 grit wheel was too fine for what I was looking for. Apparently, many turners are finding that the wheels were getting full or clogged pretty fast, which of course can easily be cleaned with no long term harm, but it ends up being counterproductive. And some believe it may even be a bit too sharp, causing the tools to dull even faster. Karen said the 180/350 grit is a preferred combo for many of their customers now. Also, when using their Kodiak sharpening system, or similar systems, the mega squares match up well as a pair. I guess I will never know what a 4 in 1 wheel is like to sharpen on, being Karen just convinced my friend Larry to buy the same wheels for his grinder 👍. James, thank you again for sharing your knowledge and experience with us, especially this time so I could make a “Cry Once” purchase, only once.
I bought mine from Ken a few months ago. I got the 180 radius wheel and a 350 mega square. Very happy with the purchase, spoke to Ken personally when I ordered.
Awesome video....exactly what I needed. New to woodturning and the amount of dust from the aluminum oxide wheels is ridiculous. Glad to see the hand is healing up as well. I saw that video and that instantly convinced me not to purchase that chainsaw bit. Sorry you had to go through that...but glad I found that video before purchasing it.
Thanks for the info, Stumpy. I've never heard of the 4 in 1 wheel until now. Since most of my woodworking is at the lathe, it looks like that will be my first CBN wheel, followed by the 600 grit.
HA! This certainly was timely. After trading a few emails with Ken, I ordered my grinder and wheels just yesterday. I chose the 1HP setup with two radius edged wheels in his suggested combination of 180 & 600 grits. Had I seen this video sooner, I probably would've followed your suggestion on wheel type. Your choice of grit echoed Ken's suggestion, though! Regardless, this will be an amazing upgrade from a 6" HF grinder with Norton wheels!
It is SO great to see your continuous recovery! The remaining bandage is almost unnoticeable. So carry on, cuz almost nobody cares anymore. So okay, carry on then.
I have both wheels and I love them. I just need to invest in the Kodiak Sharpening System now. Thanks again for your first video last year and this one too. Happy New Year!! Hope your fingers are doing well.
Love my CBN wheels. When you get a chance, would be very interested in your selection/recommendations for grinding tool rests/guides for woodworking tools.
If you'd like to know what I use, it's the Kodiak sharpening system.(woodturnerswonders.com/collections/kodiak-sharpening-system) It's for turners as well as woodworkers. It's not cheap, but it's tough, rigid, and expandable as your needs grow.
Dude, I took your advice and got the 80 grit as the one wheel I’m going to buy for now. It’s working out, I made a nice little scrub plane with it, but that thing is scary aggressive. I’d have been as happy taking a little more time on a 180.
This is a question. For woodworkers who can afford only one wheel on this video you recommend 80 grit, but in the video "How I changed my bench grinder forever you recommended 600 grit for woodworkers who can only afford one wheel. Can you clarify thanks. By the way I love your videos.
Thanks, this will come in very handy. I'm still grinding manually on diamond stones, but one of these wheels is definitely on the shopping list for some day. Edit: I kind of wish there was something to attach one of these to the back side of a lathe headstock. That'd make sharpening a cinch & having that extra weight might actually help to balance out heavy turning too.
@@tsstahl Oh, I'll look into it. It seems possible to get a rod of just the right diameter & thread both ends to lock it in on most lathes, but it would need machinery & tools I haven't got here.
Just ordered this one and told them to give you credit for the sale. "Dear Karen, just a follow up on my order: 5" x 3/4" with 5/32 light bevel on the edges (because it is only 3/4" wide) and a 5/8" arbor 4 in 1 design 600 grit CBN wheel." It will fit inside my Shopsmith Grinding Attachment Guard." Thank you Stumpy for the information, K
Thanks for the information. I like your set up. Right now I just have the 180 grit Mega Square grit wheel. It’s working well but eventually I plan to go with a higher grit wheel and get a separate grinder for my woodworking tools. My CBN wheel came from Ken as will all my future wheels and a lot of other woodturning tools and equipment.
Thank you, James, Excellent as information, as usual. I do have a question though and your advice for a first wheel. You recommend 80 grit, but then later you said 180 grit, or did you mean one 80 grit wheel. My only concern is that 80 grit may be too aggressive for a novice like myself? Thanks again, and keep up the great work! I've learned a tremendous amount from you!
Great video. I’ve been thinking on replacing my standard sharpening wheels with these, but I wasn’t sure what grits to buy for sharpening turning tools. Thanks, Peter
I have an 80 and a 180 grit CBN running on my four wheel grinder powered by a 0 to 2,500 RPM, reversible DC sewing machine motor. It so trumps so called low speed grinders comparing mine to them is like comparing a Harbor Freight tablesaw to my Unisaw. I do most my sharpening at about 300 to 500 RPM. Less heat, more control, less material lost, ......... You can make your own using common 2x's, pillow blocks and pulleys and such.
Thanks for another great and very useful video. Do you think the general recommendations given here will be applicable for the Tormek as well? (Or will that be a future video. 😋🙏🏻)
Thanks for the great video. Nobody really talks about CBN wheels for Tormek T-4. Woodturners Wonders carry them in different grit sizes. I am not sure which grit size I should get for re-establishing the primary bevel on woodworking blades and knives.
Hi Stumpy, would you please tell me what brand and name of the jigs that you have on the two Rikon grinders in this video? Thanking you in advance. Paul
I have a 6 inch variable speed grinder--it will turn slowly enough to fit the parameters you suggest. Is it worth getting a CBN wheel(s) for it, or would it make more sense to step up to an 8 or even 10 inch grinder. I am primarily a woodworker, but have always flat ground chisels, etc on Shapton stones. I would expect to be using a grinding wheel for turning and some carving tools. Thanks.
I only sharpen chisels and plane irons. And my arthritis makes it harder to use my diamond stones. Would you recommend the Kodiak or the Tormek. Thanks, this was a really informative video.
While you can get an extra-fine 1000-grit CBN wheel, I personally don't consider a bench grinder to be an all-in-1 sharpening system for planes and chisels (and knives). I still follow up with a stone and strop. If you want to do it entirely with power I recommend the Tormek (you can get a CBN wheel for it to speed up heavier grinding). If you're looking for something more budget friendly, consider the Worksharp 3000 with a set of CBN wheels (they will save you a ton of money in the long run compared to the sandpaper discs, and they are a lot faster to use.)
really helpful, thank you. One question - can i have one cbn wheel on the grinder and one standard or will this throw it out of balance. Id quite like one but cant really justify buying two right now. Thanks
Thanks for the education. I looking to maintain the edge of detail carving knives. I am considering getting a 120 RPM grinder with 2 arbors with both a 1000 grit CBN wheel and a leather wheel. Do you have any thoughts about this set up?
Here is something I have wondered for a long time. For woodworkers, not turners, would these wheels be better for sharpening chisels and planes, or the Tormek?
When I was looking into CBN, I ran into discussions about grinding of various materials. My interest was more in HSS turning tools, so there wasn't a problem. Reed Gray ("robohippy") has a nice article about the wheels and his experience with carbide/softer steels/non-magnetic materials, mostly in connection with his turning. I do see some shops where they've got a CBN/stone combo mounted on the grinder. Suspect it's mostly a cost issue :) but maybe not entirely. Thanks for the great video.
Great video - I noticed you are using the Kodiak sharpening system - how do you like it? I love mine - it has revolutionized the sharpening process - you should do a video on it so more people are made aware of it. I enjoy your videos - hope your hand is healing well.
I know this is a fairly old video but hopefully someone can chime in. For wood turning, what's the reason for recommending a rounded profile in a coarse grit and a square profile in a fine grit? Having wheels with different profiles seems more versatile but if you do something using the rounded corner at 180 grit, wouldn't you want to refine that edge in the same way on a 600 grit wheel? Does the (new?) wider 4-in-1 Plus change your recommendations?
I plan to purchase the 4n1 and mega square wheels set up on a 1/2 horse Rikon slow speed grinder after the Christmas rush. On your recommendation the 4n1 will be 180 grit and the mega will be 600. Before I make my order I am wondering if you still stand by these as the best all around grits. Thanks.
I still do. But I have heard others comment that 600 is too fine for their uses. I recommend calling Woodturners Wonders. They will help you figure out the prefect grits for your uses. Great folks to deal with. Tell them I sent you :)
What grit do you recommemd for sharpening a curve chicken knife that will give me Razor sharp edge for my blades (just like in my picture profile) I've been using carbide wheels for number of years and i want to try cbn wheels to make life much easier.. Tnx sir chicken knife bladesmith here from philippines. Merry christmas
Hey James. I don’t do any turning (only chisels and plane blades), and in your earlier CBN tutorial, you recommended a 180 grit and 600 grit CBN as your two wheel recommendation. In this video, you recommend an 80 grit and a 350 grit. Did you change your thinking between videos, or am I confused?
Turners and woodworkers have different needs. I recommend 80 and 350 for woodworkers. I recommend 180 and 350 for turners. If you sharpen both types of tools regularly, I recommend 80 and 350. The goal is to select only two grits that will be the most useful to your specific needs.
Did you try or recommend the spartan ones? I would only use the wheel for resetting irons for woodworking, mainly plane and chisel blades. Also if you don’t recommend them, then would the 4n1 work on Moulding plane irons?
I just found these myself, and am a big fan of the worksharp... Has anyone used these? How are they? Is the finest stone worth it, or stick with a leather wheel at that point?
I bought a set of all 3 a couple months back and love 'em. What a difference! I reshaped some carving chisels, first on sandpaper then on CBN; the CBNs cut the time drastically while never getting the chisels too hot to touch.
@@roynielsen1911 Awesome thanks for the feedback. I love the worksharp, and was looking into a mod that uses diamand plates that you retrofit onto the glass plates with self adhesive magnets... a bit of a process, and I think they don't work upside down on the chisel port. CBN wheels seems the perfect solution. I even picked up a second WS cheap on fleabay or something, so I can keep a leather disc on that one for touch ups and not have to change discs so often... but the sandpaper thing was never ideal. Perfect solution, and cheaper than another pair of CBN wheels for the slow speed grinder (and another grinder most likely) as I was beginning to consider. Now I can just upgrade my turning wheels with a pair of CBNs and grab these, and save probably $350 or so in the process.
If you posted this on a woodturning site, you would start an endless argument. The CBN grits to choose are the subject of countless debates. Your comments sound logical, to me. But this woodturner is happy with an 80 and 180 grit wheels (from D-Way Tools) on a grinder I bought from Woodturnerswonders.
This is for beginners. It seeks to help them get started with either just one wheel, or a two-wheel set, and to get the most bang for their initial investment. Pro turners all have their favorites, and that changes from person to person. :)
Is there any quality way to power down a 3450 RPM grinder motor to 1725 RPM? I have the high speed motor and I'm wondering if I would be better served to just buy a new slow speed grinder. Thanks.
Can someone help me understand why a woodworker would use cbn wheels? It's my understanding that cbn wheels are only made for HSS so it makes sense for woodturning. High carbon steel is preferred for anything else since it has better edge retention. And high-carbon steel damages CBN wheels right? What am I missing here?
