Grinding wheels

[aerohydro]

I've just aquired some old grinding wheels I want to put into service. I'm wondering if grinding wheels have ever contained asbestos or anything else particularly nasty. Any ideas?

Thanks.

[Finnr]

I am not aware of grinding wheels ever containing anything of that nature. Grinding dust is nasty and a dust mask won't do you any harm. My worry with old wheels would be cracks that do not show. Hang one on a screwdriver blade and give it a tap. It should have a clear ring. Thud probably means a cracked wheel.
Finnr

[Ted T]

Aerohydro,
I believe Finnr gave you some good ideas.
If you have any doubt about the reliability of a grinding stone after giving a good visual inspection, and a "sound test". Don’t use it!
Always error on the side of safety when in doubt”
Think about it! If you are wrong about your analysis of its usability, it may cause you everything that is associated with pain and loss of finances. The impact of a sever injury and being out of work is not as real to people who have never had to experience it.
An intelligent person will learn from others mistakes.
Three times in my over a 50 year period of working with metal I have seen, or experienced some bad things that have happened when a grinding wheel came apart.
You will not save any money by using a questionable grinding wheel "just this time". In a fraction of a second you may have shrapnel impacting your face and body parts. It can change your life just like that, in the time it takes to snap your fingers.
Again, please do not risk it!
For sure, please use an appropriate safety mask (eye protection and lung protection) while grinding. Over the long haul the accumulation of partials can, and will count against you (lungs). A person may say it never affected me. But just take a look at them later in life when it catches up with them, although some may dodge the bullet. It is not pretty thing when it doe’s catch them!
I believe we are not in this business to show how tough (resilient) we are to the products of combustion or other bi-products of friction, or gasses created during the metal fabrication process. I do believe we all want to be safe and healthy through out our lives.
Here is just some information that may be useful to you. It is not complete, and I suggest each person studies more about this subject for them selves!

When grinding, small metal shavings flying off a grinding wheel are often traveling over 200 miles per hour over a distance of less than 18 inches. The old baseball adage of" you can't hit what you can’t see" certainly holds true for anyone who thinks eye protection isn't needed.
INSPECTION, HANDLING AND STORAGE
1. Grinding wheels and disks should be inspected after they have been unpacked for shipping damage, and then “ring” tested prior to use.
2. The "ring" test consists of suspending the wheel from its hole on a small pin or finger and gently tapping it with a light tool such as a wooden screw driver handle. The tapping should occur within 45 degrees of the vertical centerline. A wheel or disk in good condition will give a clear metallic ring.
3. Large disks and wheels should not be rolled on the floor.
4. Abrasive disks should be stored in dry areas not subject to extreme temperature changes, below freezing temperatures should be avoided. Undetectable cracks or fractures not visible to the eye may occur in wet wheels if they are exposed to temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Breakage can occur if wheels are taken from a cold storage area and grinding operations begun before the wheel assumes room temperature.
6. Grinding wheels and disks should be stored as close as possible to areas of use to reduce handling.
I must sound like on old record being played over and over again. But I cannot stress how important safety is in our craft.
I care about all of you!
Be safe!
Old Rusty Ted

[Glenn]

When you install a wheel on a motor the first thing you should do is to turn it on and let it run at full speed for 60-90 seconds with the expectation of it coming apart. This is not just the first time, but every time you use the wheel (first use for that day).

Who knows what could have happened while it was stored or resting for a couple of days. Also keep the wheel dressed and in good working condition.

The wheels are consumable items. They wear out and need replaced. Do not feel bad when you need to buy a new one, as by that time the old wheel has paid for itself many times over.

BP0379 Consumables is a related Blueprint.

[habu68]

At a conference,years ago, at Francis Whitaker's shop some one brought a box of old wheels for iron in the hat. Francis was demoing tool making and used a broken piece of wheel to hand polish the end of a punch as he watched the temper colors run. The wheels, that prior to that, had no value were quickly bought up...

PS: you should never grind anything heavier than the wheel itself or you risk breaking the wheel.

[aerohydro]

Thanks very much for all the responses. I'm well aware of the problems of mechanical damage to wheels having seen people do stupid things. I will most certainly test run the wheels extensively before I use them and wear appropriate PPE. I would not bother with this old stuff except that these wheels were in a stack of old and worn ones but appear completely unused. I'll post some pictures to the forum when I get the new machine set up.

Thanks again for the help. The amount of knowledge and advice that comes from web forums like this never ceases to amaze me.

[Ten Hammers]

Herein lies the best of reasons I changed to belt grinder years ago. Rock wheels are fine, yes. Kept unloaded ( dressed ) and round, they are excellent media to remove stock. My homebuilt grinder has served me well. YMMV.