Hi,
I seem to have some mold growing in and on the wheel, thinking I need to run a solution of hydrogen peroxide through the wheel to kill all of it. Any idea whether this will harm the wheel? Seems like a vitrified bond abrasive which should be chemically invincible I'd imagine.
Hmmm, not sure that it is vitrified but I cannot see that it would damage the bond in any case.
Still, a quick double check with Tormek support (support@tormek.se) cannot hurt, right ?
They've probably run into this problem already so...
I agree with checking with support.
The other thought I have is to check your water. I would pick up a gallon or two of distilled water from your grocery store. I would start with scrubbing your wheel with a scrubbing brush. When you are through sharpening, store your wheel dry.
Please keep us posted.
Ken
Quote from: Thy Will Be Done on January 29, 2026, 10:39:30 PMI seem to have some mold growing in and on the wheel,
Do you empty the water trough after each sharpening session? That's a good practice.
Ken's advice about also removing the wheel is even better.
I hang mine on a long construction screw on the wall right next to me sharpening station.
I called support and left a message with no reply, no idea why. I'm pretty sure it's mold as it sort of goes away after use then comes back after several days sitting damp. Not leaving it in the trough either, just staying damp for a good while on it's own.
Quote from: Thy Will Be Done on January 29, 2026, 10:39:30 PMHi,
I seem to have some mold growing in and on the wheel, thinking I need to run a solution of hydrogen peroxide through the wheel to kill all of it. Any idea whether this will harm the wheel? Seems like a vitrified bond abrasive which should be chemically invincible I'd imagine.
I don't know the cause, but my wheel does the same. Occasionally I don't use my SG for a couple weeks. As it starts to dry it grows a little white fuzz. It hasn't seem to make any difference.
Maybe, instead of mold, the white fluff is efflorescence?
Is your machine in a basement that has high humidity? I have a dehumidifier in my basement that runs mostly in the more humid months. I have never had mold on my wheel as it dries fairly soon after use.
Quote from: carlhanger on February 08, 2026, 07:45:47 PMMaybe, instead of mold, the white fluff is efflorescence?
That is interesting, we have a water softener here and it's possible that it's related. I cannot understand why a stone would grow mold and how it would even grow without organic material.
Quote from: Thy Will Be Done on February 10, 2026, 12:25:31 AMQuote from: carlhanger on February 08, 2026, 07:45:47 PMMaybe, instead of mold, the white fluff is efflorescence?
That is interesting, we have a water softener here and it's possible that it's related.
It might just be salt then. Have you tasted it?
I'm joking but you can smear/crush a bit between your fingers, if it turns into chalky dust it is probably just salt/mineral build up.
Or it's saltpeter and you have found a cheap way to clean your aluminium tools.
Quote from: carlhanger on February 10, 2026, 12:08:39 PMQuote from: Thy Will Be Done on February 10, 2026, 12:25:31 AMQuote from: carlhanger on February 08, 2026, 07:45:47 PMMaybe, instead of mold, the white fluff is efflorescence?
That is interesting, we have a water softener here and it's possible that it's related.
This gets my vote.
It might just be salt then. Have you tasted it?
I'm joking but you can smear/crush a bit between your fingers, if it turns into chalky dust it is probably just salt/mineral build up.