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Sharpening your tools just got a lot easier thanks to Norton
Abrasives!
We’ve been using Norton 3X sandpaper since it hit the market,
and when we heard they had released a version of the 3X product
in the form of a grinding wheel for use on bench grinders we had
to try them.
These wheels are made of Norton’s patented SG (ceramic alumina),
which has been formulated to provide a constant supply of fresh,
sharp cutting edges. The way it achieves this is by controlled
micro-fracturing of the grain, and with the resulting constant
supply of fresh cutting edges you get a cool, burn-free cut. No
kidding.
Every woodworker I know has turned at least one tool blue on the
grinder while trying to touch up an edge. It doesn’t take much
when using a high speed grinder with standard wheels. We have
several grinders in the shop, all of them rated at 3450 rpm.
Just to experience the ultimate in cool grinding we tried the
Norton 3X wheels on a low rpm grinder we borrowed from General
Canada for the occasion.
The Norton 3X wheels are available in several different grits
(46, 60, 80 and 100), three diameters (6", 7", 8" ) and two
widths (3/4" and 1") and ship with a set of bushings allowing
them to be mounted on any grinder.
Before mounting the wheels on the grinder, I took an old chisel
and gave it a 5 second grind on the standard wheels just to get
an idea of how hot the steel would become. I then mounted the
Norton 3X wheels on the high-speed grinder and gave the same
chisel another 5 seconds on the grinder (the chisel was cold by
then). I then moved the wheels to the low speed grinder. The
difference in temperature between the two sets of wheels was
almost hard to believe.
The chisel quickly got hot and began to turn blue when the
original wheels were used. When I tried them on the standard
3450 rpm grinder, they still got warm, but not anywhere near as
hot as with the standard wheels. After an equal grind time it
was still possible to touch the edge, and although it was warm
it was in no danger of turning the steel blue. After letting the
chisel cool to room temperature we tried the Norton 3X wheels on
the low speed grinder, giving them a similar grind as with the
high-speed version. Using the slow speed grinder, the edge of
the chisel barely got warm at all!
The Norton 3X grinding wheels will run cooler no matter what
type of grinder you use them on, but when paired with a low rpm
grinder they provide a cool dry grind without the mess of a wet
system. Like all grinding wheels, they should be dressed after
mounting them on a grinder to eliminate any eccentricity and
reduce vibration as the wheels spin. Norton makes a diamond
tipped tool specifically for this purpose. It looks like a
screwdriver but has a bar on the end impregnated with diamonds.
Holding this against the edge of the wheel as it spins quickly
trues up the wheel and restores a square face.
With the new Norton 3X wheels and the diamond dressing tool,
keeping your edge won’t be the same old grind any more. These
wheels turn in one cool performance that won’t turn your tools
blue.
Reviewed by Michael Kampen
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Norton 3X Premium Ceramic Sharpening Wheels
from
$35.95 (46 grit, 6" s 3/4") to $44.95 (100 Grit, 8" x1")
Norton
Pike
European Hand Tools
Lee Valley Tools
- available in 5 sizes:
- 46 grit - 6 x 3/4"
- 60 grit - 6 x 3/4"
- 100 grit - 6 x 3/4"
- 46 grit - 8 x 1"
- 100 grit - 8 x 1"
- 6" wheels include 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", and 7/8"
arbor bushings
- 8" wheels include 5/8", 3/4", and 7/8" arbor
bushings
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Note: This review originally appeared in the Oct
2006 eNewlsetter
© Canadian Woodworking
Magazine, 2007
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To report any
specification errors on this page
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nortonstones.com
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Norton 3X Premium Ceramic Wheels |
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Close-up of vitrified bond wheel |
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It's easy to replace wheels on your grinder |
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