Diamond Wheels

[VicParticipant @vic]

Do any of you have any experience of the difference between Diamond plated grinding wheels, normally silver in appearance, and the often brown Diamond Resin Bonded wheels?

[VicParticipant @vic]

These are the two types. I’ve seen both types used on DIY tool grinders.

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

I have to say that I own several types and the best in my experience are the pro grade ones I have from Norton and eternal tools, they have better cut rates compared to the resin bonded one in your post. I do use those but mostly for small drill sharpening getting down to no 60. The biggest wheel I have has the diamond cast into phosfur bronze, goodness knows how much that was of the shelf!!

[VicParticipant @vic]

Obviously you can’t dress the plated ones but I’m guessing you can the Resin ones?

I ask as I’ve seen both types in pictures of tool grinders.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

It’s worth asking all the questions, Vic

… and I shall be following the answers with great interest, having so-far resisted the temptation to buy one or more of these:

https://www.eternaltools.com/small-diamond-grinding-wheels

MichaelG.

.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jTKNLjLrNM&t=20s

 

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

My Eternal tools diamond wheel is a 4 inch flared cup wheel of standard tool and cutter shape, most of the wheel is aluminium bonded mostly to the outside of the taper and extending to the front which I presume is to make it impossible to come off!!!!!. Oh and the diamond substrate is dark grey not the normal red/brown.

[VicParticipant @vic]

Yes, I noticed some are grey Bernard.

[VicParticipant @vic]

I suppose this is called hedging your bets? 😆

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

That’s neat !10/10

I have a resin bonded job on a Clarkson and it worked well on tungsten carbide. came from ARC. Noel

[Vic]

On 20 May 2024 at 01:57 Vic Said:

Do any of you have any experience of the difference between Diamond plated grinding wheels, normally silver in appearance, and the often brown Diamond Resin Bonded wheels?

The silver ones are electro-plated diamond wheels. As the name suggests they feature a dense layer of diamonds fixed to a metal substrate by electroplating process. They are very hardy and hold their shape exceedingly well but have only a thin layer of diamond which depleted in efficiency as the edges of the diamonds are eroded.

The brown ones are diamonds mixed in resin and cast into a thick layer fixed to a carrier, which wears down in use  exposing fresh diamonds to maintain cutting action.

There is another process called sintering where the diamond are mixed in a matrix of various metals/compounds and then heated under pressure to form segments are brazed/laser welded to metal discs. Typically you’ll find these used in construction on concrete saws/angle grinders etc.

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

I bought some NOS electroplated wheels on ebay very cheaply, they are much safer than ordinary grinding wheels, explosion proof, made for grinding glass, but work well on carbide and occasionally on HSS. The resin bonded can be dressed, but as there is not much there,only light dressing, and care with contact as you can break off a section easily if ham fisted.

Diamond is not recommended for constant steelgrinding as the diamond is carbon and when hot will dissolve into the iron easily chemically, the hardness does not help it.

[Author]

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