What is the best option for hss planer blades?

[Rimu]

I have had moderate success in the past with the standard stone with hss planer blades, but it takes forever... I'm I better off getting the black stone or a cbn wheel. If I get cbn, which one?

Thanks!

[rolsen]

I have used the black stone with good success.

[John Hancock Sr]

The regular wheel is Aluminium Oxide which is softer than your HSS and will not effectively cut the HSS. You will need either the black (Silicon Carbide), diamond or CBN. I use diamond for mine but CBN will do perfectly fine. If they are nicked then you probably need to go to an 80G to remove the nicks. My last sharpen tried to remove the nicks with the DC but it took ages. I have since bought an 80G CBN. But for simply resharpening with use the SB, or DC, DF through DE or CBN equivalent. 

[Ken S]

Let's make sure we are all talking about the same thing. "Planer blades" are sharpened with the SVH-320 Planer Blade Jig. They are used with electric thichness planers. The same jig can also be used to sharpen electric jointer blades and miter trimmer blades. These blades are different than the blades, usually called irons, of hand bench planes which are used in square edge jigs such as the SE-76 and
SE-77.

If you are investing in the SVH-230 and grinding wheels for it, do not make the same mistake I made. After I purchased the SVH-230, I learned that the blades in my Delta "lunchbox planer" were not designed to be sharpened. After initial use on the first side, they can be flipped over and used once on the second side. Hopefully, your thichness planer blades are designed to be sharpened. It is worthwhile to check this out. I also learned that Delta no longer made replacement blades, although several years ago whel I last checked, Woodcraft was carrying third party replacement blades.

Please do your research before investing in setting up for sharpening planer blades.

Ken

[RickKrung]

The regular wheel is Aluminium Oxide which is softer than your HSS and will not effectively cut the HSS. You will need either the black (Silicon Carbide), diamond or CBN. I use diamond for mine but CBN will do perfectly fine. If they are nicked then you probably need to go to an 80G to remove the nicks. My last sharpen tried to remove the nicks with the DC but it took ages. I have since bought an 80G CBN. But for simply resharpening with use the SB, or DC, DF through DE or CBN equivalent. 

I agree with the above, particularly on going to a much coarser grit for damage repair and heavier metal removal.  After trying several alternatives, I have also gone to 80 grit CBN, 10" dia., 2" wide wheel. 

However, of all the other things I tried, I think the next best one is a standard grinding wheel (such as Norton 3X) in 64 or 80 grit is a very effective and low cost option.  It provides faster metal removal and preserves the water bath benefits of the Tormek.  The other options, such as belt grinders and bench grinders can be faster but all product dry grinding grit/dust and carry risks of overheating blades, etc.  I first tried 8" standard grinding wheels, but switched to 10" for consistency with the 10" wheels on my T8. 

My point is, if investing in coarse grit diamond or CBN is a bit too spendy for you, there is an effective, low cost alternative. 

[John Hancock Sr]

such as Norton 3X

Norton do not recommend 3x for HSS so that is not an option. You will need the green Silicon Carbide wheel.

The other options, such as belt grinders and bench grinders can be faster

Again not an option since the planner blade needs a precise parallel edge.

[RickKrung]

such as Norton 3X

Norton do not recommend 3x for HSS so that is not an option. You will need the green Silicon Carbide wheel.

Interesting.  John, could you provide more info on this, please?  I've searched and found several sources saying the K grade 3X wheels are suitable for HSS, but have not found any yet that say it isn't.  If they aren't, it will be good to know, but the point of my post was that this type of grinding wheel (if suitable for HSS) is a viable alternative. 

The other options, such as belt grinders and bench grinders can be faster

Again not an option since the planner blade needs a precise parallel edge.

I fully agree and didn't mean to imply that these are an option for planer blades.  I've quietly scoffed to myself a few times when I've seen references to using them for it.

[Ken S]

John,
I did a quick online search for "Are Norton 3X wheels suitable for hss?" Hereis a link:

https://www.google.com/search?q=are+norton+3X+wheels+suitable+for+hss%3F&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari

I ran some tests several years ago using metal lathe tool bits. The 3X wheels substantially outperformed the SG-250 for cutting speed. Iwas able to adapt them tomy Tormek using just my home handyman workshop. The cost is considerably lower than other options. I don't consider either my tests or the online search proof positive; however, they

[John Hancock Sr]

John, could you provide more info on this, please?

That was from  Sharpening supplies. https://www.sharpeningsupplies.com/products/norton-3x-blue-grinding-wheel-i-grade.

It seems to be a ceramic composite with a hardness of "k" which is moderately hard. Therefore ideal for carbon steel but not so much for HSS or alloy steels.