English
عربىThere are some tools that get underappreciated in a woodworking shop, and bench grinders fall into this category. They're a go-to tool for sharpening chisels and plane irons, but by thinking outside the box you can make them even more useful.
How to use the desktop grinder
One of the biggest things you need to do when working with a bench grinder is to take proper safety precautions. This means wearing ANSI Z87.1-approved safety glasses, ear protection, and respiratory protection if you're doing any type of grinding work or other activities with the grinder that could generate sparks.
To keep the grinder operating at a safe speed, you need to ensure that the motor and wheel assembly are not overheating. This is especially important when sharpening steel, as overheating can strip off the heat treatment that makes the steel hard to begin with.
How to cool a piece of metal that is being ground off the grinder
To cool a piece of metal that you're grinding, dip it into a water pot before you touch it to the grinder. This will help prevent the hot metal from burning your fingers or damaging the piece.
How to grind off a screw without breaking it
A common mistake when sharpening a screw is using too much pressure. This can overheat the steel, turning it bluish black and destroying the edge of the screw. To avoid this, apply light pressure and don't overdo it.
