George Vondriska

CBN Bench Grinder

George Vondriska
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Duration:   13  mins

Everyone is talking about CBN (Cubic boron nitride) grinding wheels, and what they bring to the sharpening world. I set up a CBN bench grinder and put it through its paces to see what the hype is all about. Man, these babies are amazing.

What’s the set up?

CBN wheels are mounted on a low speed (1750 rpm) 8” grinder. Unlike conventional grinding wheels, CBN wheels aren’t likely to explode, so the guards are removed from the grinder. We’ve also equipped the CBN bench grinder with a Kodiak sharpening system. I’m using a 180-grit wheel and a 600-grit wheel.

Benefits of a CBN Bench Grinder

Here’s what you get from CBN wheels:

  • Run truer-manufacturing process makes them round, not almost round
  • Run cooler-very hard to overheat chisels
  • Can use the side of the wheel
  • Never need to be dressed
  • Never change diameter-important if you’re using sharpening jigs
  • Very fine grind
  • Can sharpen on the side of the wheel-helpful for skew chisels
  • Second in hardness only to diamond
  • Longevity: they’ll far outlast a conventional grinding wheel

The Kodiak System

It’s very important to keep a consistent angle and cutting edge on your tools. The Kodiak system makes it very easy to do this. With platforms, mounts and guides for a variety of tools, you’ll be able to keep your chisels very sharp and very consistent.

For More Info

For more information on CBN wheels and the Kodiak system contact Woodturners Wonders via their website or by calling (678) 400-8181.

Want to learn how to put those freshly sharpened lathe chisels to work? We have lots of great information on lathe turning. In addition to lathe work, there’s lots you can learn from WWGOA about working with power tools.

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6 Responses to “CBN Bench Grinder”

  1. MICHAEL

    Your wheels appear to have about 1" grinding surface on the sides. Woodturner Wonders website says theirs is about 1/4". What is the source of your wheels ?

  2. MICHAEL

    With such a minimum of sparks is it still advisable not to connect the grinder to dust collection ??? I hate the metal dust in the air and collecting around the grinder. Of course I vacuum it up after grinding.

  3. mikek

    Not true about CBN wheels lasting a lifetime, the 120 grit one I bought from Ron Brown's Best lasted less than a year before the particle coating wore off,yea he replaced it but not before a lot of back and forth and having to pay an additional $35 in shipping.

  4. Carl Timko

    I disagree about removing the guards. Those sparks are hot pieces of metal. Having been a professional cutter grinder for 27 years, I know the value of the safety guards. CBN wheels do wear, just not as fast as aluminum oxide wheels. Don't kid yourself about CBN wheels not blowing up. A defect in the wheel or the metal backing can cause the wheel to break apart. Safety first!!

  5. John Cowley

    What brand of CBN grinding wheel did you use in demonstration?

  6. Bobbg

    Cost of that system is not that bad, Over a good qulity bench grinder, also it's a complete system. Even the wheels alone are not that bad. You can spend more then that on your irons Unless you go with carbide incert tools. And if you have any experience in metalworking you can make your own. And as a former machinest I'd be tempted to try that. The nice thing about carbide it a tougher material will hold an edge dosnt need to be sharpened and wont hold heat.not that I'd pick one up after cutting with one. New incerts cost 1.50 to 12 bucks each and have 3 to 6 sides. Carbide cuts more holds up better holds its shape cuts even the hardest woods and will hold an edge. They were ment to cut metals wood is butter for a hot knife to them.

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