Dressing Side Of Bench Grinding Wheel

I was always taught never to dress the sides of a grinding wheel and if you need to grind on the side to take very light grinds. You run the risk of putting a fracture in the wheel that can let go at any time. Of course wheel technology has come a long way over the past 50 years and with today's wheels it MAY BE acceptable.

even with todays wheels you should never grind on the sides---they have special wheels designed for side grinding-----as far as being told never to dress the sides of the wheel was probably correct if using the old style spinning wheel dressers--they are designed to spin and constantly tap the stone to break it smooth--these take some pressure which you don't want to put on the side of the stone---I use a diamond dresser with multiple diamonds and it cuts the side very smoothly without pressure---to true the little wobble takes very little dressing-----
 
even with todays wheels you should never grind on the sides---they have special wheels designed for side grinding-----as far as being told never to dress the sides of the wheel was probably correct if using the old style spinning wheel dressers--they are designed to spin and constantly tap the stone to break it smooth--these take some pressure which you don't want to put on the side of the stone---I use a diamond dresser with multiple diamonds and it cuts the side very smoothly without pressure---to true the little wobble takes very little dressing-----

Dave, thanks for the info on dressing the side of the wheel using a diamond dresser. You learn'd me somthin :)

Mike
 
I can understand that dressing the side of a wheel with a diamond will help, but how do you dress the inner side of a wheel? It would seem to throw off the balance of a wheel to only dress one side.
 
I can understand that dressing the side of a wheel with a diamond will help, but how do you dress the inner side of a wheel? It would seem to throw off the balance of a wheel to only dress one side.


I was talking about both sides when I carefully dress the sides---the tool I use is a flat section of an old diamond circular blade that I have cut in pie shapes with my angle grinder with a very thin cutoff blade----I hold it by hand and use the flat arc side to lightly let the diamonds cut the wobble out----it works very good----in these times there are many good sources of used diamond gritted tools that can be used for dressing wheels and mounted stones---If you can't picture the circular blade sections---then just picture using the side of a diamond coated saber saw blade --I have used these also---If you just send me your address I will send you a section that you can hang by your grinder----Dave
 
The grinder is a peach now! I took the time to make a set of two inner wheel flanges from 12L14 steel 2-3/8" diameter and incorporated the spacer into it. I made the two bores a very close fit on the grinder arbor and both inner flanges are very true running easily within .001". I retained the original outer flanges as all they do is clamp the wheel to the solid inner flanges. I miked the wheel width in several places with and old micrometer and the wheels were within .003" of parallel sides and has no discernible wobble. I dressed the diameter of the wheels and all runs true now. I now have a very nice smooth running grinder for a low cost. The annoying hum is also gone and it does not vibrate across the bench. Thanks for all the help.
 
Back
Top