Sharpening Carbide tipped tools

I need to sharpen a carbide tipped lathe tool but dont have a suitable sharpening stone. I did buy a green silicone carbide stone from a well known dealer recently, no makers name on it, but found several cracks in it and got a refund., they are still being sold. My question is have diamond sharpening stones taken over now from silicone carbide stones? and I have been told they have to be used with water?

Regards Paul.

I would say that diamond is the best way to sharpen carbide. I have only ever seen and used Diamond wheels dry but I use water on the diamond 'stones' that have many advantages over the traditional oilstones (although they are much favoured by craftsman woodworkers.

So water not oil, for the hand held diamond files etc.

Ian P

In the immortal words of the song:

Diamonds are a Girl's best friend.

[and also a Model Engineer's]

MichaelG.

Gentlemen

The usual advice given is to use water with diamond stones but I have found that it can leave traces of rust from the metal that has been removed, I now use plusgas as a lubricant and have had no trouble since.

Dick

What I meant was the circular ones to fit on a bench grinder, are you talking about the hand held ones?

I cant see it will be very good using a lubricant on a bench grinder?

Used a silicon carbide wheel for a long time now and never had a problem, most tools only need a brush up
Never used water with one, only dry

Hi Paul,

I used a silicon carbide wheel to dress up carbide tools, and as Ady have not had any problems. I guess though that diamond wheels is the way to go, and I use a diamond hone to give of carbide tools a sharper cutting edge.

Thor

The diamond wheels are good for light sharpening and give an excellent finish. If I have much material to remove I still use my green grit wheel.

Russell.

Thanks for the reply, sounds like one of each might be best, what abrasive grade would you go for with the silicone and where can I buy a decent one from with a makers name on it thats not going to have cracks in it ?

Would it not be a good idea for someone out there to post a list of the types and colours of of the grind wheels and stones, I can never remember what is best for what, I am sure someone will know

ABTEC 0800 027 1928

I've used them, nice company , reasonable prices.

Richard.

http://www.georgiagrindingwheel.com/grindingwheels_basics.htm#faq2

trevorth try this for colour codes.

Bri

Hi Trevorh,

Was this the kind of information you were looking for?

Thor

Edited By Thor on 16/10/2013 16:50:11

Trevor / Paul

Some info from my 'Universal Grinding Data Book'... may be helpful.

Edited By mechman48 on 16/10/2013 17:29:07

Thanks everyone for your help.

Morning Thor/Mechman,

Thor I was thinking more along the lines of an "idiots" guide for example HSS use Pink grit wheel, for tungsten use Green and so on

Mechman sorry but I can't get your link to work

Thanks