CBN Low-Speed Sharpening System

The exceptional durability of CBN (cubic boron nitride) grinding wheels is one of the key reasons woodturners have been fast to adopt them; you can quickly restore a keen edge or adjust tip geometry without ever having to spend time truing a wheel or adjusting a sharpening jig to compensate for wear. Nearly as hard as diamond, CBN can grind even hard steels quickly and lasts a remarkably long time. Over the long term, it provides more sharpening per dollar than any other abrasive we know of.

We think that CBN wheels have a place in every shop, so we have configured a grinding system to allow the widest range of users to take advantage of CBN’s unique properties. Our system is built around one coarse (80x) and one fine (180x) CBN wheel – all you need to grind a broad assortment of edge tools.

The 8" cast steel wheels are machined for accurate size and flatness, then electroplated with CBN particles. They are supplied with precision flanges made in our machine shop, run true, and cannot fracture. The wheel bodies are excellent heat conductors, so the grinding surfaces remain cooler, minimizing the risk of overheating the tool.

The Rikon 8" low-speed grinder is an ideal system platform. The 1-horsepower motor delivers ample torque, but, running at about half the speed of a conventional grinder, it further reduces the risk of overheating the tool. It has industrial bearings to minimize runout, and a heavy cast-iron base and steel housing to dampen vibration.

Of course, accurately flat wheels and a grinder with minimal runout would be of limited benefit without a pair of sturdy, rigid tool rests that are reliably square to the wheels. Machined to exacting standards, the two anodized aluminum Veritas grinder tool rests mount directly to the bench in front of the grinder and can fold out of the way for freehand grinding. The 4" wide table permits a wide range of angular and height adjustments. Spring-loaded gyratory handles lock it solidly in position and can be rotated out of the way after locking. Each of the two included rests comes with an angle gauge to set the table for 20°, 25°, 30° and 35° bevel angles.

It is a versatile system, and an excellent combination of quality, utility and value.

Not available for shipment to Québec.