How to Sharpen Carbide Tools

Carbide tools are known for their resilience to dulling and high temperatures. To sharpen carbide tools, you must be careful to grind on the angles already established on the tool's edge. This is most often done using a grinder wheel with a special diamond or silicone coating. Carbide is used for everything from lathe tools to saw blade tips. These tools are often used to machine through hard metals such as stainless steel and carbon steel.

Things You'll Need

• Safety glasses or face shield
• Dust mask
• Diamond coated grinder wheel
• Bench grinder, tool grinder or wheel grinder

Instructions

1. Put on the safety glasses or face shield and the dust mask.

2. Install the diamond coated grinder wheel on the grinder. This process may vary according to the type of grinder you use. In general, the grinder wheel is held in place by a lock nut. Your grinder may or may not require a special tool to remove the lock nut. Place the new grinder wheel on the the post and tighten the lock nut in place to secure the wheel.

3. Turn on the grinder and allow it to reach full speed.

4. Hold the carbide tool in front of the spinning grinder wheel at the same angle as the original factory bevel with the tip pointing up. For example, a lathe tool or chisel with a 10-degree angle on the edge, must be held so that the tool will contact the grinder wheel with the same 10-degree angle.

5. Apply the tool to the grinder wheel. Maintain the same angle as discussed in the previous step. Turn the tool over and repeat the process. Camber all angles and corners to achieve the best results. The number of passes required to sharpen the tool depends on the initial dullness and the condition of the grinder wheel used.

Tips & Warnings

• Carbide circular saw blades require additional special equipment. Use a professional service for circular saw blades to avoid injury.

References

• Sherline Products: Grinding Your Own Lathe Tools
• Trow and Holden Carbide Tool Sharpening System