How to Grind Carbide & Steel Together
Though carbide is renowned for its hardness and durability, carbide tools occasionally require grinding or sharpening. Most tools are not solid carbide, but are rather a mixture of steel with a carbide tip or edge. Grinding this tip can be a challenge, as it is important to grind evenly and to not chip the carbide, which is hard but very brittle. It is also necessary to avoid grinding the steel when sharpening a carbide and steel tool, as the steel is softer and requires a different type of grinding wheel than carbide.
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Instructions
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Mount the bench grinder to a sturdy surface and attach the diamond grit wheel. Look at your instruction manual for specific information regarding how to safely mount both the grinder itself and the wheel.
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Adjust the platforms. Bench grinders often have a platform or other devices that help you hold the item you are grinding at a steady angle. Hold the item you are sharpening to the wheel while it is off, practicing and ensuring that the angle is correct before you turn on the wheel to do the actual sharpening.
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Turn on the machine and grind the carbide. About 3000 RPM is a good speed. However, different tools and different types of carbide require different grinding speeds, so find the specific grinding speed for your tool if at all possible. Do not grind through the carbide and to the steel.
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Tips & Warnings
A wheel grit size of 120 to 180 is suitable for grinding down a tool. If you want to polish it, as you might for a fine knife, first grind with a 120 to 180 grit, then grind a second time using a 220 or higher grit.
Wear goggles while grinding carbide. The dust from grinding is somewhat hazardous, so you may want to wear a mask as well.
Check the instructions for the wheel and the bench grinder before use. Do not exceed recommended RPMs for either.
Grind only the tip or edge. Do not grind the sides of a tool.
References
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