Creating Bushings for Your Grinding Wheels

Turning expert Ernie Conover explains how to create your own properly sized bushings to install on your benchtop grinder, replacing the ill-fitting and poorly sized plastic bushings that come with most modern wheels.
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[@gottabighit1]

Brilliant! It took me 14 KZbin videos to come across your most excellent vid. Thank you for answering 2 questions I could find no answer to anywhere else.

[@leehaire1300]

Thanks Ernie, that's was some wonderful information I did not know but am happy to have it now!!!

[@kenzpenz]

That sir, has to be one of the best tips I have seen here on KZbin. Tomorrow I will go out into my shop and turn a couple of bushings from some really hard wood. I have those plastic inserts in place right now, and have chased the balance point around until I am sick of it. I even bought one of those special balance jigs that attaches to the sides of the wheel. It's kinda sorta balanced, but your idea makes so much sense, I just have to make some. Thanks again and will be watching for more great tips. The old guy from Marina CA

[@melvinwardale9770]

glad about one thing, never to old to learn, thanks for grindstone tips.

[@calistastevens]

Thank you Ernie. My grinder is so far out of whack, and I was wondering how I was going to fix it and now I know. Thank you again. Kevin.

[@dericcormier38]

really liked the vid, it helped me with my grinding wheel problem, i didnt know to do those things, thank you much

[@stevosteve]

Superb insight to the deeper aspects. Nice one.

[@Richard-mz7qu]

Thanks Ernie. Very helpful information! Frank

[@kape9004]

Great tips. Take care. Thank you.

[@fuckassnumberone]

Excellent solution to a problem I'm having right now. Thanks!

[@BMWDCK75]

Thank you a great educational and useful video.

[@charging7]

Great video, thanks!

[@rominhawk3949]

Great video; Thank you very much.

[@TheCecil64]

Good video. Thanks for sharing.

[@racma8698]

Very uesefull advices. Thank you very mutch.

[@CosgroveNotts]

The reason you leave the wheel running after installing and go for a cupper is; in the first few minutes that it's a proven fact that any faults in the wheel manufacturer or installation will show up Good informative video

[@danmoreton1788]

Nice video. Thanks!

[@mp180170]

I enjoyed this video very much I have now become a subscriber, you have a great manner and an excellent way of explaining things many thanks from the 🇬🇧 uk

[@gholamrezaabolahrari3118]

Thanks for your perfect description.

[@solitaire5142]

Quality video!

[@rodwinratuiste1377]

Thank you very much sir. Very nice video learn a lot. Thanks again. Good day

[@FelishaWild]

The wheel I picked up was a 180 grit wheel. The manufacturer that I purchased from had a 80 and a 180 grit wheels. I think the 180 does a great job for all of the sharpening I do. Maybe in the future I'll get the 80 for reshaping tools before sharpening.

[@jfarinacci0329]

good content. good video. thank you.

[@paultrimble9390]

Good idea to use wood. Thanks stay safe

[@yomearreglo]

Nice tip! Thanks sir :)

[@Specialized1993]

Great video, thank you. I just bought my first bench grinder and was shocked at the quality control of harbor freight grinder. But this video really helped.

[@FelishaWild]

CBN is Cubic Boron Nitride and is a very hard, long wearing substance. The CBN grinding wheels are precision machined, and balanced. Perfect for sharpening high speed steel tools. I purchased an 8 inch wheel for my grinder and I am extremely happy with the edge that it puts on my tools. Also the CBN wheel doesn't need to be dressed or shaped so it is always the same size and shape.

[@NMranchhand]

Great video. Sure glad I watched. I wonder though why you didn't drill the walnut a bit snug for the arbor, open it up slowly with sandpaper till it custom fit the arbor, and then fit in on the arbor, and woe it down spinning, again with sandpaper until the fit was custom for the grinding wheel. It seems that this might be quicker, leave tighter bushing fits with better concentricity, and of course be easier, or even possible, for someone without a wood lathe.

[@fasteddie4107]

Very useful information. Thank you for sharing your insights and this video. I had never thought to use wood for such a bushing. My first inclination would be to make one out of metal.

[@stephencurtis2282]

My first thought was to make one out of Delrin, HDPE, or Nylon. I think the reason for wood is its softness against a brittle medium like the wheel, where metal may not be so forgiving and there is plenty of it about! :)

[@TradeMark2003]

I did the ring test yesterday, and today my grinding wheel exploded. No serious injury and all guards did their job. Seriously people don't cheap out on stuff like this, but quality tools and utilize safety equipment

[@lmcanod]

Ring test must be done on vitrified grinding wheels with a non metalic solid object. That is, not in the way Ernie made it in the video. After mounting the Wheel, you leave it running for 1 minute or so. After that, the Wheel shouldn't break if you only grind in the way it is designed for: The periphery for type 1, 5 or 7, the face for type 6 and 11

[@homemadetools]

Good job.

[@TheBergy32]

Had the same problem. Those bushings supplied with some wheels are handy and mean well but they are nowhere near close to running true. In the end, I made my own bushing. Now it works great!

[@fvrrljr]

High Five on making your own bushing!

[@charredskeleton]

Bless you sir!

[@flashgordon6238]

For all the comments about wood shrinking and contracting from humidity, you can always make the bushings out of nylon or Delrin.

[@Dr._Spamy]

In an old Grinder Wheel I found a casted plump bushing. I always wondered how this could be done to also get it centered as good as possible ?

[@skeetersaurus6249]

From the machinist side of things, those last-two dressing jigs are the only ones I'd ever really even consider...because to me, there's 'glaze breaking' or 'refreshing' a wheel...and then there is true 'dressing' of a wheel. Dressing a wheel not only addresses 'grooves', 'abrasion' and 'concentricity', but it also strongly focuses on 'flatness' (perpendicularity). You get into grinding flats, and really quickly you realize how 'undressed' that most-wheels are! Whether it is a chisel or a HSS insert...even the smallest groove in that wheel becomes an eyesore (and possibly, expensive flaw) in your final work. To get around that...YOU MUST have an 'affixed diamond' that tracks to the wheel arbor! I had one for years on an old Delta 8" grinder (my DEDICATED tooling grinder, not to be confused with my 'hey, grind this angle iron on that Black and Decker unit'), that the base track was mounted to the grinder's cast-iron frame, with a T-slide which allowed for 'Y' movement and 'Z' axis (height) settings. The jig itself was a 'small wheel driven acme screw' traverse for X-axis, with a small amount of Y-axis infeed (to get the diamond closer to the wheel on each pass). Why so much concern? Because good cutting tools ground on an accurate wheel leads to EXCELLENT quality work coming out the other side! I haven't seen a true 'machinist's' wheel dressing jig in years that was worth anything...but knowing how important it is, and how a good unit is made, if I had to now, I'd just make my own...you recover the investment the first time you use it!

[@tracyguilbeau]

Good advice! May I ask, what is the device around your neck in the last part of the video?

[@SpatialGuy77]

Before you go to the trouble of a new bushing, drop a dial indicator on the shaft. If you're going to fix it, might as well start at the start.

[@marioelectrico]

thanks a lot, felisha. a question more, cbn wheel comes in several grain and if so, which grain you recommend to sharpen gouges?

[@pazzy4501]

Well done Ernie 👍🏻, I have the same problem from a stock grinder, have to do what you did in order to maintain well stability and prevent wobbling, i do have also a wobbling flange.. Do i have to correct it as well?! Also my grinder motor heats up very crazy, you can't touch it with your hand after 7 minutes of continous working, i replaced it with another one for that reason and the 2nd one do the same, is that normal?!! keep up the good work 👍🏻

[@Jevandtieriel]

Nice video, Thanks. Ernie, what is the tube arrangement around your neck? It looks like a breathing snorkel to use the air behind you. Is it?

[@MrRichard57000]

cool grinder,you can see it s an industrial machine...all cast in one piece...stable platform

[@karljolley8346]

I agree about the hight, if it is up high and anything comes off, that projectile will be aimed at the chest/ throat area.

[@dptp9lf]

Great video!What are you wearing around you neck... looks like dust protection but how does it work?Thanks for the video

[@lukemain4222]

Lyle Feucht I was wondering the same thing. Looks like a snorkel lol.

[@Willgtl]

It's a Resp-O-Rator. Basically it's a standard HEPA filter dust mask, but the filters and intake is behind your head rather than right in all the action, and the little cup below the mouthpiece is to capture spit.

[@707SonomaComa]

I was looking at Baldor 6" Bench Grinders. They have approx. 14 different models! One of the descriptions says: Built for heavy duty grinding, powered by 1/3 hp Baldor PSC type motor (except 612E & 662E which are split phase) What would be better for that type of bench grinder, a (PSC) Permanent Split Capacitor or a Split Phase motor? Is one harder or take longer to start? Do you have to spin the wheels to get it going?

[@whasumara73]

Great instructions sir, but not everyone has a lathe.

[@fvrrljr]

improvise, hand drill on it's side. done that to get out a jam

[@marcoschwanenberger3127]

Bit late, but you can just turn it on the grinder itself. Also makes sure that its perfectly round around the grinders axle.

[@jaysilverheals4445]

You are ready for the next step to balance the wheel by drilling a series of holes on one half of each washer and using an arbor and you can figure out the rest. Once you get it balanced mark the washers and tape them to the wheel and then install the wheel not changing the relationship of the washers--WORKS PERFECT..

[@Momoka7]

Interesting, even after 8 years! Yes 5:42 all of this is really thought out. I got a brand new bench grinder, and one of the grinding wheels has a wobble. Now I could go to Amazon and buy an Oneway 2272 5/8" Grinding Wheel Balancing System for "cheap" $77.33USD... but I not want to spend that kind of money for a handful of screws, some washer, some plastic and a balancing fixture. That feels like a ripoff... even if it works. I think I will first check the grinding wheel in question, and if I find that it is reasonable flat and balanced... I probably will make me a wooden bushing like you here showed so professionally!

[@moonolyth]

If you can figure out how to make a sturdy base and bolt the grinder down you could possibly turn the disk on the grinder itself or I could anyway. Sir how do you like your respirator. I was thinking of rigging one up but am thinking it may be too much to keep it clean in the shop/ metal and wood. They look like they work very well.

[@Just1GuyMetalworks]

Thanks! I think those bushings are rubbish too lol. Was just wondering if they were engineered that way for a reason other than to fit various arbors, I'll definitely be making new ones for mine 👍😊👍.

[@aturner2080]

what brand of grinder are you working on in the video?

[@GlassImpressions]

What were you wearing around your neck? some sort of respirator?

[@samoftheforest]

Is there any chance the wood bushing could expand or move?

[@leverman7517]

I was taught to "ring" the wheel by tapping with wooden handle, not steel. good video

[@ScooterFXRS]

You where taught that because some guys want to murder everything. Fancy word, they lack finesse, extreme delicacy or subtlety in action.

[@blueridgedsia]

Stone wheels bug me alot. Im thinking about turning my rikon into an mdf/buff wheel combo and turning an HF 4x36 into my new sharpening station.

[@DougHinVA]

I saw another skilled grinder user show how he uses a diamond dressing tool to very gently remove grinding wheel material on the outer 1/4 or 1/3 of the cutting face sides so that the center 1/4 or 1/3 of the wheel is doing the grinding as the work piece is slowly passed side to side across the guide (preferably with a guiding notch to keep it square). Your thoughts ?

[@FelishaWild]

Another alternative to this is using a CBN wheel. Most CBN wheels have an option for a machined bushing. While this is more expensive the wheels last almost forever. Plus you don't have to dress the wheel and the wheel never changes diameter.

[@fvrrljr]

HELL YEAH! Goldsmith / ok over excited, best clear explanations on everything especially safety regardless of OSHA. We all know (or should) not to use a grinder on wood, plastic, etc. I admit I've used those No-No's. I didn't know about new wheel not being round, nice diamond hand dresser tool. I've read that one shouldn't use or make a DIY bushing. You sir proved that theory wrong. I have a couple of bench polishers that the diameter is small for a grinding wheel and was thinking of making my own bushing... They should put wood and metal shops back in school, but they won't because of insurance and that's another topic. I do tell kids go to Trade School not College.

[@biofall38]

I have a really old grinder that was my grandfathers but the part where you put the wheel is round and it has a little flat part but it dose not have threads on it how would I put the wheel on

[@slisenko]

I think it would be easier to shim those bushing with aluminum can strips, paper or plastic. Than lathing as that not a common tool to have and if you don't know how to lathe: learning to lathe to make this bushing is not a quick answer.

[@maheshsuthar2184]

Thank you dear friend for very good video, but I think you missed how to align sideways ?

[@disoldman6573]

I’m very frustrated with trying to find wheels wit truly cantered and 90 degree arbour holes. With that in mind how do you compensate for this the home made insert?

[@TradeMark2003]

Sir, I really like that bench grinder, built with solid, durable, strong parts. It looks like a delta, but can you tell me the what model number it is?

[@pedrotome9119]

Great vídeo! No doudt!! I don't think there is this machine's brand in this country... Can someone tell me what is the brand of this so well made machine' ??? 1000 thanks!!!

[@davidroberts2049]

I bought a wheel that was so out of round I could not hold my diamond dresser steady enough to true the wheel. I had to make a jig, separate from the grinder, to hold the dresser rock solid. I should have returned the wheel for an exchange, but that didn't happen. So I guess there there are degrees of "out-of-round", and I picked a winner. Question, what about a wheel that is not true side to side, i.e. it wobbles left and right, in the horizontal plane. How would you true that up?

[@dizzolve]

is that scuba gear?

[@AeolianHall1]

Thanks for the great video. Could that broken wheel have been made usable with a powerful glue holding it together? Also, why do you leave the grinder on for 5 minutes before you start grinding?

[@robertskinner5928]

I believe it is a "RESP-O-RATOR" from duxterity

[@jubeibob]

i just got a bench grinder how often or how common do these wheels shatteR?

[@jimadams8182]

+jubeibob Don't trust anyone on you tube, do your own research! If you want my two cents, here you go! bench grinder wheel failures are pretty rare, One of the most common causes could be when a wheel is subject to heavy use, never dressed, and is severely chipped. A friend of mine experienced such a grinding wheel failure, luckily he was wearing a face shield, an apron, and thick coveralls. He said it felt like getting kicked in the chest by a horse! Another cause could be applying too much pressure to the side of the wheel. Most bench grinder wheels are designed for face grinding only. Exposure to moisture can also weaken the bond of grinding wheels causing failure. Damage during shipping is another potential cause. If you're unsure about the integrity of your wheels, remove them and carefully inspect for any chips or cracks. If you find any, throw them out and buy new ones! If they look safe perform a "ring" test. Place your index finger or a wooden dowel through the arbor (nothing metal) to support the wheel vertically. Gently tap all around the wheel clockwise using a plastic or hard rubber screwdriver handle. (again NOTHING METAL) if you hear a clear "ring" sound the wheel is safe to use, if you hear a dull thud, throw it out! Be sure to not over tighten wheels when reinstalling! Wear your safety glasses, Be safe, and have fun!

[@jubeibob]

+Jim Adams thanks a ton!

[@jimadams8182]

+jubeibob Hopefully this advice helps, but i'm not an expert, just a guy who has used a bench grinder at work every day for the past twenty years. Do your own research and be safe!

[@peckelhaze6934]

Now where did I put my lathe!

[@stevenbryant1954]

I'm fresh out of walnut! lol

[@JonDingle]

The correct way to tap test a grinding wheel is by using a soft faced or wooden mallet and not a file, chisel or hammer. The sound as he said should be a clear ring that lasts more than a second or two. Using a metal object on grinding wheel is bad practice because it can chip the wheel or worse case micro crack the wheel which will then casue premature failure in due course.

[@Pro1er]

In all likelihood my comment is probably a non-issue but I wonder, with wood's ability to collect and retain moisture, is there any chance that the moisture could be transferred to the wheel over time. The humidity in my shop ranges from the single digits to extremely high. Also would the continuous expansion and contraction of the wood drying out and re-absorbing moisture eventually weaken the wheel? Like I said, probably not but still something to consider just the same.

[@EscapeMCP]

The wood expanding and putting pressure on the wheel would be my biggest concern.

[@davebashford3753]

Walnut's shrinkage rating is 6-8% "green to ovendry", so it might make a difference if you started with a green piece of wood and you live in the desert, but a chunk of acclimated wood approximately 1" in diameter isn't going to change appreciably.

[@furia58]

what is it on your neck?

[@4dirt2racer0]

i wrapped the shaft of my grinder with electrical tape real tight so the wheel wouldnt jump kinda rigged lol but it works

[@edwaggonersr.7446]

I bought a new wheel for my grinder, a good brand, the bushing was so loose that the thing shook my shop, I took it back to the store for a refund. I don't have a lathe but I may be able to fashion a proper bushing on my drill press using a1/2" nut and bolt, a 5/8" bushing, a rasp and some sand paper.

[@edwaggonersr.7446]

***** You make a good point. I have used strips of thin aluminum cut from a pop can to shim loose shafts. Maybe I'll give it another try. Thanks for the info.

[@edwaggonersr.7446]

***** The disk wouldn't be spinning on the aluminum shim, it is just a shim not a bearing.

[@edwaggonersr.7446]

***** I don't have a clue. But the pop can I have at hand is just shy of 4/1000 of an inch. One wrap would be 8/1000 of an inch. I don't have thin strips of steel and I am not going to make a special trip to town just for a shim. For what I need (a shim) aluminum with work just fine.

[@Ferndalien]

*****, Babbit was commonly used for bearings in the ancient days of which you speak, it melts at a lower temperature than either aluminum or steel, and is softer and easier to drill than steel and many aluminum alloys. Back then babbit was much cheaper than it is now, too.

[@edwaggonersr.7446]

Ferndalien I'm pretty sure a Babbitt alloy is still used for rod, main and cam bearings in most engines. I should mike the wheel and the shaft and have my brother turn one on the lathe. He has aluminum, which would be fine too.

[@amronbillavangburapha1055]

OK

[@gerardosalas9477]

The ring test should be performed with the handle of a tool, not with that steel thing since it can damage the wheel.

[@FunDumb]

He's got a tool for fixing that.

[@marioelectrico]

what means wheel cbn, never had heard that name. excuse my ignorance

[@rodrigonaal9430]

Cansela

[@howardlovecraft750]

I know this is an old video, but dude what in the heck did you have wrapped around your neck throughout the making this video.....just had to ask.

[@charleshines6155]

You not only don't want it up high because just imagine if you had to sharpen a bunch of tools. That is not only unsafe but it is awkward. Those are probably the ones who like to make things difficult without realizing it or having a good reason for it.

[@frankc6430]

what is that around your neck?...my guess it is a breathing device?... better than breathing flying metal and stone particles I guess.

[@Metal-Possum]

You sound a bit like Kermit the Frog, great instructional video though. :)

[@cryofrost7506]

Fantastic video, but you should never turn metal or try not to turn metal on a lathe designed to turn wood

[@Moneymenowww]

A snug flange is a happy flange 🤣🤣🤣

[@shonuffisthemaster]

typical woodworker solution lol, make it out of wood even if it should be made.of steel. still i guess its better thsn the original bushing.

[@DimaProk]

+shonuffisthemaster lol, I was thinking aluminum is probably not good enough and then I see him take out wood bushing... my jaw dropped and I laughed :-)

[@rapskallion]

Hey! It's walnut. What more do you want?

[@mememaster147]

+rapskallion oak :D

[@bigbadwolf1966]

some old grinding wheels had bushings made of lead. They were very easily knocked out of true. I've even struck some where it was made out of thin lead ribbon wound on the shaft until the diameter matched the wheel center.

[@SpatialGuy77]

The ideal bushing would be phosphor bronze, but funnily enough, the walnut is a better option than lead, aluminium or brass Its thermal stability, dimensional stability, shock resistance, and strength properties really suit this application. The issue with any wood (or metal/alloys to a far lesser extent) is the possibility of structural flaws.

[@rm42749]

Wouldn't it be easier just to true up the wheel on the grinder? You get the same result with a lot less effort.

[@TheBergy32]

Yes, but if you ever remove the wheel and plan to put it back on, you have to get the wheel and the bushing lined up exactly as they were before as the wheel would have been trued up to an off-center bushing. I had this issue before I made my own wooden bushing. So in the end, spend the extra 5-10 mins and make your own bushing.

[@you-tubejunkie2926]

Location of the grinder. ? High up or Low down.? How about the direction of the spin. Some people say....... Have the wheel spin up, (so if bad things happen). Objects won't be sent into your (stomach way). Please do a video on that topic. Thank you.

[@flashgordon6238]

I'd rather have wheels explode spinning down and not up into my face. Always have a leather apron or welding jacket on to protect your mid-section. Spinning upward defeats the spark arrestor or tongue guard shown at 3:58.

[@you-tubejunkie2926]

Thank you.

[@TC-dw6wg]

Great advise.....oh wait.... I don't have a Lathe. Oh well

[@BackyardWoodworking]

What in the world is that around your neck?

[@samterian7694]

180 grit does no belong in a shop, 46 grit works best 60 for finer finish but it will not cut as freely and will load up and heat up the part more

[@RickaramaTrama-lc1ys]

Nice professional video but 99.5% of us don't have a lathe or any other of your 1% tools so you are talking to the 1%~!!!

[@iridios6127]

+Rickarama Trama 1. Looks like his install those metal flange the wrong side 2. For couple of wooden bushings *you* can put these on grinder, tight up ,and shape them.

[@DeeegerD]

Stopped watching when you assumed I had a wood lathe.

[@dohc1974]

Lmao

[@majinkakashi20]

I do not have nor do i plan on having a lathe. Shouldve put turning bushings in title so my time wouldnt have been wasted, thanks alot. 👎