Grading stone orientation ?

[highdesertdreams]

Hi.
My name is Frank.
I'm new to Tormek and new to this forum.
So far I'm enjoying both.

I'm curious why the grading stone is supposed to be held perpendicular to the grinding wheel a opposed to holding the grading stone parallel to the grinding wheel.

It would seem that by holding the 2+/-" width of the grading stone against the 2+/-" width of the grinding wheel, the grading stone would be less likely to rock and crown the grinding wheel.

Yes? No? Maybe?

[SharpenADullWitt]

Perpendicular, keeps your fingers out of the way, and uses only a spot on the stone.  As you wear that stone, you change spots of use.

[Herman Trivilino]

You really need to push the grader against the grindstone with a lot of force, and holding it perpendicular allows you to push a lot harder. You will eventually carve a dip into the surface of the fine side of the stone grader, which will make it work more efficiently.

Sometimes you will want to rock the stone grader so only one of the long edges of the coarse side makes contact with the grindstone. This will help refresh the grindstone faster and more effectively if it gets glazed over.

One of the most common beginner errors is to not apply the stone grader for a long enough time with a large enough force. Don't be afraid to over do it!

[Ken S]

Welcome to the forum, Frank.

Whenever I use the stone grader, I judge the grit of the grinding wheel with my fingers. You can feel the grit changing. With the changes in grit, you will feel and hear the difference in cutting. That's one of the joys of using a Tormek; it is a very sensory machine.

Ken

[Rob]

I always remember the prophetic words of the master - Jeff Farris - don't be afraid to lean on it a little - you cant hurt it :-)