I know this topic has come up before but I just saw this video. I also noticed in another that some are buying CBN wheels and using them dry.
Alston,
I remember when Wootz of KnifeGrinders introduced this video. It caused a lot of interest on the forum. Some of us used metal sleeves. Some of us made sleeves using painter's tape. I used plastic pipe. All of these did in fact raise the speed of the grinding wheel.
I have not seen posts recently promoting the speed acceleraters!. I suspect they have proved a flash in the pan and fallen into disuse. If you want to try using one, other third party vendors may still sell them. They are not expensive. (Knife Grinders closed after the death of the owner.) Making one of painter's tape is cheap and easy.
My personal opinion is that the Tormek engineers could easily have increased the speed IF they felt it was beneficial. They chose not to do so; therefore I have stayed with their preferred speed.
Regarding using CBN wheels dry, this is how they are designed AND to be used this way with high speed dry grinders. I first investigated them before Tormek introduced diamond wheels. At the time, all of the CBN instructional videos used high speed dry grinders with turning tools. One vendor voided the warranty if the wheels were used wet. In fairness, the problem was due to careless use, rather than the wheels themselves. CBN wheels, like any grinding wheels, should not be left in water when not in use. My original CBN wheels were steel. Used in plain water, they rusted quickly. When I added Honerite Gold, I no longer had the rust problem.
Ken
Why in the world would anyone use any wheel dry on a Tormek? Completely eliminates one of the benefits of even having a Tormek. As Ken mentioned, early on, some CBN wheels rusted when used in water. I have two of the CBN wheels where the warranty would be voided if used in water. I've been using one, in water with the Tormek ACC solution, a 180 grit, on my T8, for 5 or 6 years with not one speck of rust. I just recently added an 80 grit CBN wheel, used in the same manner.
Another reason I would never use any grinding wheel dry on a Tormek is the damage the grinding grit can do to the cast zinc Tormek jigs, in particular the DBS-22 Drill Bit Sharpening Jig. I had the DBS set up on a slow speed bench grinder and an 8" dia., 80 grit CBN wheel. I found out quickly that the grinding grit was getting in the sliding surfaces and causing wear. (https://forum.tormek.com/index.php/topic,5491.msg40030.html#msg40030) Not doing that anymore and is why I got the same 80 grit CBN wheel in 250mm diameter for the T8 so I could have the fast metal removal, in water, without damaging the jigs.
Well stated, Rick.
Ken
Rick,
I agree wholeheartedly.