Norton 8 Grinding Wheel
Calfu Baransky
The Norton White Aluminum Oxide Grinding Wheel is the standard for grinding cutting tools such as chisels and plane irons. Unlike the gray wheels that come with most bench grinders, these wheels help keep your tool much cooler. By running cooler, your tool doesn't overheat and weaken your cutting edge. Our medium 60 grit is a good way to grind your initial bevel. Our 100 grit provides a finer edge. The very fine 150 grit is the finest grinding wheel we carry. After grinding, a few strokes on a bench stone and your tools are ready for use. This wheel is a J Grade. The 8" wheel has a 1" arbor hole with bushings for 7/8", 3/4" and 5/8" arbors and is rated for 3600 rpm. The 6" wheels have a 1" arbor hole with bushings for 7/8", 3/4", 5/8" and 1/2" arbors and are rated at 4140 rpm.
Norton's 3X grinding wheels are engineered specifically for abrading alltypes of heat-treated tool steels found in woodworking. The wheel's ceramic grit cuts hardened steels faster than even aluminum oxide with less glazing. Ceramic alumina's friable grain structure combined with a relatively weak abrasive bond make these the coolest running wheels on the market. You get burn-free cuts on everything from the high-speed steel found in turning tools to the high carbon steel in Hock plane irons. These blue beauties run so cool you can even put them on that cheap high-speed grinder you bought at BigHomeCostMart with little risk. Maximum RPM: 5410
For most applications with low-speed grinders, the Premium Aluminum Oxide Wheels are an excellent economical choice. But, if you're the type of person who must have the best (and you know who you are), then the Norton 3X wheels will surely please you. Norton recommends their Multi-point Diamond Wheel Dresser (159005) for deglazing and shaping their wheels, but any diamond or silicon carbide dresser will work. The 6" wheel includes bushings to fit down to a 1/2" shaft and the 8" wheel includes bushings to fit down to a 5/8" shaft.
This product may expose you to chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Please read our Proposition 65 warning.
For more information, see www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Norton 3SG is a 30% ceramic grain vitrified grinding wheel. Norton ceramic grinding wheels are the best in the market place and can outperform all other brands. The 3SG is best suited for use on hard materials such as 01 and D2 tool steels. All Norton wheels are supplied to order please allow 3-4 days for delivery.
Norton Grinding Wheels are high quality abrasive wheels. Norton are market leaders within the abrasive industry with a brand that is synonymous world wide. Norton are at the forefront of abrasive technology striving for perfection in development of new abrasive grains.
Norton Company was founded in 1885 by a group of ceramists and entrepreneurs from Worcester, Massachusetts. The group set out to manufacture the first mass-produced, precision-made grinding wheel to fulfill the burgeoning U.S. manufacturing industry's growing need for abrasives.[1]
In 1990 it was purchased by Saint-Gobain of France. Norton specializes in the manufacture of abrasive products for applications in the autobody, construction, welding/industry, and marine/composite markets as well as for contractors and DIY consumers.
The roots of the Norton Company begin with in a pottery shop Worcester, opened in 1858 by Franklin Norton and his older cousin Frederick Hancock. The shop specialized in redware and stoneware pottery. In 1873, an employee of the shop, Sven Pulson, invented a Grinding wheel that was superior to most on the market at that time. This new grinding wheel was made by mixing clay with emery and water. As the need for grinding wheels was expanding, Frank Norton patented Pulson's invention and began manufacturing it. By 1885, Frank Norton's discouraging health and Frederick Hancock's lack of interest in the new product resulted in the need to sell the wheel manufacturing business.
Pulson left the pottery shop in 1880, replaced by his brother-in-law John Jeppson. When Frank Norton's business came on the market, he was quick to purchase it. Partnering with co-workers, Walter Messer and Charles Allen; Worcester Polytechnic Institute professors, Milton Prince Higgins and George I. Alden; and Washburn & Moen employees Fred Harris Daniels and Horace A. Young.[2]
The partners built a new factory on the outskirts of the city, in the Greendale neighborhood. The factory was not only important to the company for its innovation but also for its proximity to two major railways for shipping. The Greendale factory stands to this day. During the late 1890s, corporate decision-making proved conservative until it was assured the company would succeed. Until that time, dividends were frequently forgone and many of the owners declined to draw a salary.[3]
Also pivotal to Norton's early growth was a focus on marketing. The company introduced a series of pamphlets and related literature, which detailed the intricacies of each wheel and advised users on benefits for desired applications. By the mid-1890s, Norton stocked the largest inventory of grinding wheels in the world, subsequently beginning distribution in Chicago (1887), New York City (1904), and soon after, across Europe.[4]
One of the largest keys to the growth of the company was Norton's 1900 expansion into the machine tools industry. Through partnership with Charles H. Norton, the company founded the Norton Grinding Company division. The company specialized in the production of stationary grinding machines, an alternative to expensive workmen, which were capable of producing high volume, working with extremely heavy materials, and grinding with an unbelievable tolerance. Initially, with minimal product need, Norton's Grinding division saw little success, but the American industrial needs of World War I and the American automobile industry boom began a period of explosive growth. In 1904, Norton employee Aldus Higgins invented a water-cooled furnace, which was crucial to the company's success at the time.[5]
In 1914, Henry Ford's purchase of thirty-five Norton Grinders prompted Ford to remark that "the abrasive processes are basically responsible for our ability to produce cars to sell for less than a thousand dollars. Were it not for these processes these same cars would cost at least five thousand dollars, if indeed they could be made at all." With 95 percent of an automobile's moving parts requiring grinding, the automotive industry soon became Norton's biggest customer. With a resistance to grinding innovation, Norton gradually lost most of its industry market share by the mid-1950s. [4]
In 1931, Norton completed its first acquisition, when it purchased the Behr-Manning company of Watervliet, New York. This purchase added coated abrasives and sandpaper to Norton's line, which, going forward, would be two of Norton's more successful products. In the mid-1950s, with sales over $30 million, Behr-Manning was fully absorbed into Norton. In 1962, Norton became a publicly held company. Descendants of founders John Jeppson and Milton Higgins managed the company until the 1970s, including John Jeppson II.[6]
Since 2009, Norton has been a chief sponsor and abrasive supplier for both the United States Men's and Women's Olympic luge teams. Both teams competed under Norton sponsorship in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games.[7]
In 1988, Norton instituted an industrial recycling plan for which it has received a number of awards. Norton's retail abrasive products are packaged with 100% recycled materials containing 25% post consumer waste.[9]
In 2009, Saint-Gobain was recognized with an Energy Star Partner of the Year award by the U.S. EPA[10] as well as a Global 100 Sustainable Company[11] designation by the World Economic Forum. In day-to-day operations, a number of Saint-Gobain Abrasive plants have completed or are in the process of completing ISO 9000 quality certification and use FSC paper from managed forests.[9]
General purpose grinding wheels made of gray aluminum oxide are often used in shops where multiple materials are used so the wheel doesn't need to be changed between materials. They're suitable for use on a range of metals including iron, steel, aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, and metal alloys. Aluminum oxide is a strong, sharp, and durable abrasive that withstands heat and high speeds.
Today, we're going to dive into one of the most essential tools in any workshop: the grinding wheel. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newbie in the world of grinding, knowing how to choose the right grinding wheel is crucial for getting the job done efficiently and safely.
Material Type: Different grinding wheels are designed for specific materials. For example, if you're working on stainless steel, you'll need a grinding wheel specifically formulated for that material. So, before heading to the store, be sure to determine the type of material you'll be working with, and select a grinding wheel with an abrasive grain best suited for that material:
Wheel Type: Grinding wheels come in various types, such as straight wheels, cylinder wheels, and tapered wheels. Each type serves a specific purpose, so it's important to choose the right one based on your application. Straight wheels are ideal for surface grinding, while cylinder wheels are great for grinding cylindrical surfaces.
Grit Size: The grit size refers to the size of the abrasive particles embedded in the grinding wheel. It determines the finishing quality and material removal rate. Coarser grits (lower numbers) are suitable for rough grinding, while finer grits (higher numbers) are better for precision grinding or polishing.
Wheel Hardness: The hardness of a grinding wheel affects its durability and cutting ability. It is measured on a scale from A to Z, with A being the softest and Z being the hardest. For general-purpose grinding, medium-hard to hard wheels (H-K) are often recommended.
Wheel Dimensions: Consider the size and shape of the grinding wheel that will best suit your needs. Factors such as diameter, width, and hole size should be considered based on the machine you'll be using and the specific task at hand.
Safety First: Always prioritize safety when selecting a grinding wheel. Ensure that the wheel has the proper speed rating for your grinder and that it meets industry safety standards. Additionally, check for any special instructions or precautions mentioned by the manufacturer.