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Sharpening HSS advice needed please!!

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nic08/01/2011 16:51:06
42 forum posts
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Hi there, i have purchased the sieg sc2 mini lathe, my old engineering neighbour gave me some new pieces of tool steel, 
 
after doing some research on how to shape and sharpen these tools i came across people who use bench top belt sanders instead of a bench grinder,
 
is this the way to go?
 
Many Thanks in advance
 
Nic 
JasonB08/01/2011 17:03:57
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Its fine to use a bench top sander or linisher, they often don't overheat the tool as much  (but still watch out) and the larger table on them makes it easier to set an angle until you get your eye in.
 
Jason
nic08/01/2011 17:07:26
42 forum posts
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thankyou,  i have been looking at something like this:
 
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cbs1-5-belt-disc-sander/path/woodworking-3
mainly because of the price,
 
what grits would you recommend from start to finish and could you recommend a good place to get the belts from, i have been looking and finest i seem to be able to find is about 120g
 
again thanks 
John Olsen08/01/2011 23:09:11
1294 forum posts
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You should be able to get belts coarser than that for the usual small disk belt sanders. I think mine has an 80 grit belt. I used one for sharpening HSS tools for a couple of years while I was in Germany, mostly using the disk part for that. Mine came with a velcro disk, but I canned that and went to the stick on disks as they are better for sharpening tools. One thing to watch with those belt/disk sanders is that they tend to be a bit underpowered. I usually use 80 grit on the disk for general work, it takes material off acceptably fast while leaving a good finish.
 
regards
John
JasonB09/01/2011 07:56:06
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I have the this machine and as said they can be stalled but but thats when offering up large bits of metal or wood, I mostly use mine for quick shaping of metal, chamfering for weld prep etc. The one you are looking at should be fine.
 
The belts from MM are OK but don't last that long and can have a bumpy joint. Have a look a tJ&L, the Zerconium ones last well and would suit initial metal removal a sthey don't go that fine then switch to Aluminium oxide for the finishing cuts probaly 240g. I find it best to use their virtual catalogue when looking online, page 893 is where the belts start. If you do order from them get a printed catalogue.
 
 
 
Jason

Edited By JasonB on 09/01/2011 07:58:44

Edited By JasonB on 09/01/2011 07:59:33

Ian S C09/01/2011 10:24:21
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Stan Bray, in his book 'Introducing The Lathe' shows a photo of sharpening a lathe tool on a belt sander.   Ian S C
NJH09/01/2011 20:05:03
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Hi Nic
 
I have Chester's version of the belt & disc sander you show and find it useful. I guess it is not really man enough for forming tools from blank HSS - I would use a grinder for that - but it is certainly useful for "touching up " tools and keeping a fine edge. On the disc the table and mitre fence combined can be set to the correct compound angle and the tool brought back to good condition in seconds. The thin belt is also useful for putting radii on to small parts for models. The discs you can get almost anywhere. The machine came with a couple of belts and I bought a few more from Warco. (A similar machine, belts and discs are also available from Axminster Power Tools)  All in all a useful bit of kit and the quality is amazing for the price.
Hope this helps.
Regards
Norman 
 

Edited By NJH on 09/01/2011 20:09:22

Billy Mills09/01/2011 20:44:14
377 forum posts
The disadvantage of the belt sander is that the edge of the belt is ill defined- it can be all over the place- so it is then very difficult to create some tool shapes. The edge of a grinding wheel can be maintained with a a diamond dressing tool and can be far more precise. The cost of an entry level grinder  is less than the belt sander mentioned.
 
A  diamond  dust card is also very useful for touching up the cutting edges between sharpenings.A handy intro is " Tool and Cutter Sharpening" by Harrold Hall number 38 in the Workshop Practice series.
 
I do have several belt sanders as well as bench grinders and a T & C machine, never use   the belt sanders for tool sharpening but they are very useful for all kinds of shaping jobs.
 
Regards,
Alan.

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