Sharpening with an angle grinder..any advice?

[Samon]

If any can help answer a few questions for me I'd be very grateful indeed..

I own a bosche angle grinder and have used it to cut metal parts here and there and I understand a massive variety of disks can be used on them but where do I find sand paper disk/pads to use for sharpening/reprofiling my axes and machetes?

Is it easier to just cut out the shape from a sheet? If so how would I fix it to the disk?

I know the metal cutting disk can be used to sharpen/shape metals but I'd like a working surface simular to a belt sander to prevent excess heat generating during the process and having the option of varibale grades without having to fork out for an actual belt sander.

I hope this makes sense.

I also have a bench grinder but only use that on some gardening machetes (slowly and gentley) and a hanfull of files, the files of course require alot of elbow grease.

Thanks for any help or advice, links to products would also be very usefull!

Cheers guys.

 

[pastymuncher]

You these but you'll need a backing pad and the correct nut as well
http://www.screwfix.com/p/norton-fibre-disc-115-x-1-5-x-22mm-80-grit-pack-of-10/81216
Or these
http://www.screwfix.com/p/universal-semi-flexible-disc-115-mm/18886
which generally last longer but cost more

in either case they generate a lot of heat very very quickly, so are not ideal for sharpening, but they will do the job if you're very careful. Belt sanders make less heat as they run much slower.

 

[AndyE]

I assume its a 4 1/2 " /115 mm grinder ?

Use a rubber backing pad with sanding discs

heat will still be an issue though . you'd have to dunk your knife in cold water every so often

Be very careful with the coarser grits they can remove a lot of metal very quickly

Andy

 

[Retired Member southey]

Have to ask, why not use a stone?

 

[Samon]

Will the nut be supplied with the backing pad?

I want to use the angle grinder because the bench grinder I have generates alot heat and I'd like to grind edges onto some blanks without having to buy a belt sander (and not do it with files). I'm not made of money, I need to improvise with what I've got.

What grit would be better for reprofiling (course and medium..) ?

 

[Retired Member southey]

AH! so for grinding bevels more than for general sharpening?

 

[Samon]

AH! so for grinding bevels more than for general sharpening?

Yeah basically, it wouldn't be use to sharpen the edge but to take some meat off the profile.

I intend on reprofiling an axe or two and using files is exhausting.

 

[pastymuncher]

All comes down to technique and experience I'm afraid, and a gentle touch.
For more material removal use coarser discs, use finer discs the closer you get to the finished profile, same as sharpening/shaping any edged tool.
Take your time.

and no the discs don't come with the backing pad.
http://www.ekmpowershop2.com/ekmps/...acking-pad-for-sanding-discs---115mm-13-p.asp

 

[Samon]

Seems like the parts I need are quite cheap and with a little practice on some odd bits of steel I can get the hang of going gentle and keeping things nice and cool.

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated!