What are your opinions of radius edge CBN wheels vs straight edge wheels?

I have not used one. It looks like some of the grinding jigs/tool rests may need to be modified to accommodate the radiused side. Just my 2¢.

I have radius edge CBN from Wooden Wonders. I like them however the only use I have made of the radius edge is for sharpening HSS bits. I have not owned a straight edge CBN so I cannot compare. If you just want an opinion of CBN , then yes they are worth the price and will sharpen better and faster than other wheels. By the way do not plan on changing profiles with them as it will be a long job.

Ok guys, what is CBN?

Cubic Boron Nitride. The CBN abrasive is bonded to a steel wheel. They cut very fast and run cool. I use mine for general sharpening of all my HSS tools. They replace traditional aluminum oxide wheels.

Edited December 4, 20169 yr by Joeb41

2 hours ago, Joeb41 said:

Cubic Boron Nitride. The CBN abrasive is bonded to a steel wheel. They cut very fast and run cool. I use mine for general sharpening of all my HSS tools. They replace traditional aluminum oxide wheels.

Got it, thanks Joe!!!

2 hours ago, Joeb41 said:

Cubic Boron Nitride. The CBN abrasive is bonded to a steel wheel. They cut very fast and run cool. I use mine for general sharpening of all my HSS tools. They replace traditional aluminum oxide wheels.

 

As an add, they also never need to be dressed and come perfectly balanced, for a hobbyist they should last basically forever. They might seem expensive up front but well worth the investment IMO. I have a 180 grit and will probably invest in a 320 in the near future. Should eliminate any honing on my skews.

 

Steve

5 minutes ago, Steve Krumanaker said:

 

As an add, they also never need to be dressed and come perfectly balanced, for a hobbyist they should last basically forever. They might seem expensive up front but well worth the investment IMO. I have a 180 grit and will probably invest in a 320 in the near future. Should eliminate any honing on my skews.

 

Steve

Steve, are these wheels used for the same purposes as sharpening wheels in general? Are they used on slow speed grinders? For hollow grinding, preliminary shaping of a cutting edge? Also, you inferred that you'll use the 320 for final honing. Since I am young at turning, is that a sharp enough edge with 320 for turning? Thanks any further clarification.

6 hours ago, John Morris said:

Steve, are these wheels used for the same purposes as sharpening wheels in general? Are they used on slow speed grinders? For hollow grinding, preliminary shaping of a cutting edge? Also, you inferred that you'll use the 320 for final honing. Since I am young at turning, is that a sharp enough edge with 320 for turning? Thanks any further clarification.

 

John.

They can be used on either a slow speed grinder or a regular speed. They are used just like an aluminum oxide  wheel with the exception that the finer grits aren't really suitable for shaping a tool, they would do it, just not as quickly as a 36 or 60 grit wheel. For gouges many turners sharpen their tools with an 80 grit aluminum oxide wheel. It's generally accepted that for a gouge that is sharp enough. A skew, parting tool, or bedan should be honed after sharpening with an 80 grit wheel. In my experience, my skew cuts pretty good off the 120 CBN. I have no doubt the 320 grit would give the skew a very nice edge for cutting. There is some pretty  good information at Dave  Schweitzer's website for Dway tools. His wheels are a little more expensive but he is great to do business with and sells a quality product.

 

CBN wheels at dway tools

 

Steve

Great information, thanks a heap Steve.

Since not everyone will read Steve's reference I will add. Only grind HSS on these wheels and most of the popular wheels Dway and Wooden Wonders are ahigh tech aluminum .