TWISTEDWILLOW Posted September 23 Share Posted September 23 I had someone who was cleaning out their garage give me a neat contraption the other day, it’s a Wards (I’m assuming Montgomery Wards) Whetstone water trough grinder/sharpener, on a nice little stand with a good working motor, no cracks or patches anywhere, i haven’t tried it out yet but Im sure ive got some dull pocket knives laying around somewhere, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JHCC Posted September 23 Share Posted September 23 I've used a non-motorized version of this, and it can be a great tool for slow-speed grinding without having to worry about burning the steel. My only caution would be that if the trough isn't drained when not in use, it can damage the grindstone. Some wheels soften when left soaking for long periods, and if it ever went through freeze-thaw cycles, that can cause spalling as well. The first couple of times you use it, stand well to the side with your fingertips resting on the casing; if you feel vibration or a wobble like it's out of balance, look into replacing the wheel. Great find, though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWISTEDWILLOW Posted September 23 Author Share Posted September 23 Thanks John it is pretty slow I don’t know what the rpm’s are but it’s not much, those pulleys and jack shaft have it geared down to a crawl it does have a plug to drain the water out of the trough, thankfully, it would be aggravating if ya had to dump the whole thing over every time The body and gaurds are all cast aluminum, i haven’t looked it up yet to see what vintage it is but if i was guessing id say 50s or 60s, it seems like I find tools from that area made from cast aluminum but I could be wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 Those slow wet wheels are great. Debi and I have 2 of them, for when we used to do a lot of stained glass work. I don't think ours are Wards though, one has a diamond wheel and the other is sandstone, that one will put a very good knife edge that will shave ya. We did a lot of beveling glass with the diamond wheel and the sandstone wheel would shine up the bevel so it was as clear as the main pane. I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s.~ Semper Paratus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWISTEDWILLOW Posted September 24 Author Share Posted September 24 Randy thats pretty cool! I don’t guess I knew yall did stained glass work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 We haven't done any in decades, not much of a market around here for it. The wheel's we have are smaller than what yours looks like 15 inches in diameter. I had the sandstone wrong too, ours is very fine grit for glass. The only name on them is on the motors Westinghouse. Our sandstone wet wheel is much larger and stands alone. This is the diamond wheel which is brass/bronze with fine diamond chips embedded in the face. The other grinder with the very fine grit wheel, I really can't remember what it's made out of. I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s.~ Semper Paratus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWISTEDWILLOW Posted September 26 Author Share Posted September 26 Those are awesome! are they cast iron bodies or cast aluminum? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irondragon Forge ClayWorks Posted September 27 Share Posted September 27 They are cast iron, we have had them for 30-40 years. I can't control the wind, all I can do is adjust my sail’s.~ Semper Paratus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott NC Posted September 27 Share Posted September 27 I have a small one. Yes, it still needs a stone and motor.... . And belts.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWISTEDWILLOW Posted September 27 Author Share Posted September 27 That’s awesome Scott!! Does yours have any markings of a manufacturer? Isbit aluminum or cast iron? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott NC Posted September 28 Share Posted September 28 Billy, I can tell you it's cast iron at least, I never looked who made it. I know..... . It's stored by a friend back home with a bunch of my other "stuff"... I might just give him a call and ask him to have a look see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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