Which Tool and Cutter Grinder?

Sorry folks, but IMHO a Deckel or the like is NOT going satisfy your sharpening needs. That thing is very limited. I have one and sharpen Gorton cutters on it. For that, it’s great. But I can see where the machine has a very small potential. If just starting out. I would not be that eager for a TCG. You will find needing other more important toys for your shop. I have a TCG and can’t recall the last time I used it for actually sharpening an end mill? Having a lot of new end mills helps. But have used the TCG a lot for grinding angles and flats and such. It gives you a nice finish and easy dimensional control. My surface grinder gets a lot of use also…Dave
 
Like said above. If your planning on sharpening anything accurately your gonna need fixtures to accomplish the task. With the fixture you can sharpen the tool on just about any type of grinder even a bench grinder. I was fortunate enough to buy a universal t&c grinder last year brand new with a decent amount of accessories. It's a off shore brand couldn't tell you the name it's in mandarin I believe. Funny is I have a "picture" manual that I've been trying to decipher. My wife has a Chinese friend that I've been waiting for to stop by she's been visiting family for the last 3months. Anyways the grinder came with centers, a spin fixture that has a mt4 spindle. I got a two three jaw chucks with mt4 mounts one ID one OD. A follower finger assy. and acouple wheels one diamond cup one AO cupped wheel and two greens one cupped and straight.
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I did have to disassemble everything but after clanged it's not a bad machine. The saddle is scrapped and moves very smooth the table has maybe moglice or something on the table. It is blue in color and is on the matting surfaces of the table only. I have done the ends of endmills and feel successful. Not selling the services it takes getting familiar with everything involved. When checking over the centers I did have to adjust them by grinding the mounting pads for correct alignment height wise. Which then the spin fixture also had to be adjusted so everything was in the same plane. So expect on working on just about any offshore unit.
That being said I can't wait to use the grinder to its capabilities. I want to be capable of grinding all the different types of tooling I use and maybe in time for others. I've seen my type of grinder on I think allibaba or bangood can't remember so you can see what they go for. Your area as mine has a plethora of them on auction sites used old American ones for scrap prices. Kind of a dieing skill. And you don't need a air bearing. You need a smooth action,yes a air bearing in a production environment but when you see what they cost you might reconsider. They can be made without air and achieve the same motions. Good luck.
 
To my experience, non air bearing workheads do not work well for small diameter end mills, there is just too much friction.
 
Awesome replies. Thank you. Cadillac... The one that you have pictured I believe looks somewhat like a Cuttermaster. I have seen them on AliExpress for just a little over $1200 or so. Also, if you happen to see one down in the Chicago area, PM me and we can talk about it, if you want that is.
Also, I found the video of the guy that has modified his Deckel clone to a more precise instrument, although I am not sure that that type of grinder can do the sides of the flutes without modificaiton. Deckel Clone Modifications.

If a surface grinder, with attachments, will do end mills, I may reconsider that then. However, in my mind it seems like an awfully big machine to simply sharpen a mill.
I appreciate the conversation here. I really like this forum from the standpoint of having many backgrounds here and everyone seems to respect others opinions.

Edit: Cadillac... could you either post some more pictures of that grinder or get in touch with me so that I can get a better look at it?

DDickey... do you have a link to the video you are referencing?
 
I built my own from plans I purchased from ACTO in Australia for about 36 dollars US. It uses a bench grinder for its motive power ( I used a tool grinder for mine) and has about 130 drawings plus instructions. It took me about 2 months to build mine working on it when I could, and I have been happy with the results. I sharpen both flutes as well as ends on my end mills, drill bits, and carbide cutters for my boring head. I recently built a air bearing head for mine because, as others have already stated, to do good work on flutes you need to be able to feed very smoothly. Let me know if I can provide more information == Jack
 
coffmajt said:
I built my own from plans I purchased from ACTO in Australia for about 36 dollars US. It uses a bench grinder for its motive power ( I used a tool grinder for mine) and has about 130 drawings plus instructions. It took me about 2 months to build mine working on it when I could, and I have been happy with the results. I sharpen both flutes as well as ends on my end mills, drill bits, and carbide cutters for my boring head. I recently built a air bearing head for mine because, as others have already stated, to do good work on flutes you need to be able to feed very smoothly. Let me know if I can provide more information == Jack
Click to expand...
What is the range of drills and and end mills you can sharpen?
Any pics?
 
Jack.... I'm glad you chimed in here. I knew of your thread but could not find it.
 
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