Making the most out of your grinder

THE HUMBLE BENCH GRINDER IS A STAPLE of the handyworker's home shop, largely due to its versatility. But, while you can employ one to remove metal from just about anything, the traditional kind may not provide the precision you need for every grinding operation. Here, we shed light on the best ways to use the different types of grinders, gleaned from our testing.

Bench grinder 

→ What could be simpler than using a bench grinder? Step up to the machine, turn it on, and press an offensive bit of metal into the spinning, abrasive wheel. Right? Well, yes, and no. There are some things to keep in mind to grind both successfully and safely.

Heat is your enemy. It builds up very quickly, can damage metals, and makes things too hot to hold. Pressing hard to remove material in one spot will generate a lot of it. Keep your workpiece moving and make use of the full width of the grinding stone. Keep a cup or tray of water on hand to cool metal parts when you feel them getting hot.

Another reason to keep whatever you're grinding moving is to prolong the life of the abrasive wheel. Working in one spot on the wheel will cut a groove in it or round off an edge; it's better to spread the wear more evenly. And if being able to grind something square is important, keeping the face of the wheel flat will make it easier.

Wet/dry sharpener

→ Sharpening knives and tools seems to mystify people, and there are a lot of gadgets available intended to make the process simple. However, using a basic water-cooled sharpener is an easy and time-tested method for a wide variety of blades, from axes to pocket knives. And, while the individual steps might differ from one item to another, there are some best practices to follow for all of them.

Figure out the correct angle at which to sharpen the tool or knife (generally 17° to 20° for kitchen knives and 20° to 30° for chisels and pocketknives). Set up the jig or tool holder so it's square to the sharpening wheel and the tool contacts the wheel at the desired angle.

Fill the reservoir with water and rotate the wheel, letting the stone absorb the water. Keep topping up the reservoir until the stone has absorbed all it can and the water level stops dropping.