Bench Grinders: Choosing the Right Wheel
Updated: Sep. 16, 2022Keep your grinder running smoothly
Maintaining a bench grinder wheel
Lots of DIYers own a bench grinder. But not everyone knows which wheel to use for which metal or how to care for the bench grinder wheels. So we consulted the experts and came up with these nuggets to keep you in the grind.
First, use aluminum oxide bench grinder wheels for ferrous metals and silicon carbide for all the others (brass, copper, aluminum).
Next, dress the bench grinder wheels regularly to remove clogged grains. Use either a “star wheel” dresser or a diamond dresser available through our affiliation with amazon.com. The diamond style (not shown) “retrues” the wheel a bit. But don’t expect either tool to “resquare” your wheel—that kind of rig costs a bundle.
Theoretically, you can keep using your wheels until they wear down to the label. But you should replace them when they’re too small to use with the tool rest. Before you install a new wheel or reinstall a used one, always “ring-test” it to make sure there are no cracks (Photo 2). Tighten the wheel only enough to prevent it from slipping. Overtightening can crack the wheel.
Required Tools for this Project
The only tools you’ll need are a wheel dresser and a screwdriver.
