grinding wheel for aluminum

[Alan Cottrill]

the grinding wheel on my bench grinder always loads up when I work with aluminum. Is there a good stone for aluminum?

[Willem Fick]

You should never use a bench grinder, or any grinder for that matter with aluminium or copper! The particles load up the porous surface of the stone, and you run the risk of the stone actually shattering. Rather use a belt sander or sanding disk for these materials.

[surflvr911sc]

Originally posted by Alan Cottrill
the grinding wheel on my bench grinder always loads up when I work with aluminum. Is there a good stone for aluminum?

At least you asked before the wheel blew up. Now replace the wheel and get a disk sander.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I've found standard woodworking tools work fine on aluminum - pure aluminum - not alloys.

[asphaltgambler]

Old skool is to clean the grind wheel with the proper tool OR you could use a hand-held grinder to shape / clean the wheel while it is running.

If you HAVE no other choice you can load the grind wheel with bar soap (dry) and grind some on the aluminum piece. Just keep repeating the soap-to-wheel process to keep the aluminum from building up.

[David]

I'll second the votes for a belt or disk sander. Aluminum on a grinding wheel is a big safety no-no. If you do decide to still do it, use a face sheild and apron in case the wheel explodes.

[cstreit]

Why would aluminum make the wheel explode?

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by asphaltgambler
Old skool is to clean the grind wheel with the proper tool OR you could use a hand-held grinder to shape / clean the wheel while it is running.

If you HAVE no other choice you can load the grind wheel with bar soap (dry) and grind some on the aluminum piece. Just keep repeating the soap-to-wheel process to keep the aluminum from building up.

There is a surfacing tool for grinding wheels. Might try that after cleaning the aluminum out of the wheel.

[TerryH]

Originally posted by cstreit
Why would aluminum make the wheel explode?

Heat that can't be dissipated once the wheel is loaded up.

[Alan Cottrill]

thanks for the heads up on the wheel exploding. I guess I'll finally get some use out of the drum sander on my drill press.

Thanks!

[cstreit]

I see.... So some light grinding (for instance to feather a corner) isn't going to hurt anything...

[TerryH]

Light deburring is probably okay as long as the wheel isn't getting clogged, but a sander would be ideal. Occasional use of a wheel dressing tool is recommended to keep grinding wheels clean and true.

[fireant911]

Talk to some tooling engineers. My background is in brass and grinding brass is normally a no-no. The tooling folks have come up with some very good rocks that do not allow the build up on the surfaces. J&L industrial Supply claims to have these professionals on staff who can answer these type of questions.