Cphockey16
Plastic
- Joined
- May 28, 2020
Hey guys.
Started the surface grinding portion of my apprenticeship about 6 months ago. I quite enjoy it and my work has been good.
I haven't asked the guys in the shop yet, but I was wondering how fine can you truly get a finish on a surface grinder? (6x18 Okamoto auto feed w/ coolant)
I have a test indicator base/surface gauge that's been pretty beat up. I need to either have the bottom surface lapped flat, which I'd have to send out, or I can try grinding it. I've already flattened the bottom of the base with a 46 grit wheel and the finish is quite good but not as good as some lapped surfaces look.
Ultimately, now that I have it flattened, how fine a finish can I get on this thing while maintaining flatness? I've never used anything higher than a 60 grit for general surface finishing, only 80+ when trying to hold a corner. If I used an 80, 100 or even higher grit wheel - very light passes, maximum spark out - is a mirror-like finish possible? If not, how close can I get? The surface is about 3x4. Will there simply be too much heat if I try to grind with one of these wheels? Will it still cut okay if I take small cuts, say. 00005-.0002 per pass? Moderate to slow continuous crossfeed I would assume.
Was just wondering if anyone had any opinions/advice. Haven't tried grinding any surface > 1x1 with a fine wheel. Hope to hear what you fellas think!
Thanks.
Started the surface grinding portion of my apprenticeship about 6 months ago. I quite enjoy it and my work has been good.
I haven't asked the guys in the shop yet, but I was wondering how fine can you truly get a finish on a surface grinder? (6x18 Okamoto auto feed w/ coolant)
I have a test indicator base/surface gauge that's been pretty beat up. I need to either have the bottom surface lapped flat, which I'd have to send out, or I can try grinding it. I've already flattened the bottom of the base with a 46 grit wheel and the finish is quite good but not as good as some lapped surfaces look.
Ultimately, now that I have it flattened, how fine a finish can I get on this thing while maintaining flatness? I've never used anything higher than a 60 grit for general surface finishing, only 80+ when trying to hold a corner. If I used an 80, 100 or even higher grit wheel - very light passes, maximum spark out - is a mirror-like finish possible? If not, how close can I get? The surface is about 3x4. Will there simply be too much heat if I try to grind with one of these wheels? Will it still cut okay if I take small cuts, say. 00005-.0002 per pass? Moderate to slow continuous crossfeed I would assume.
Was just wondering if anyone had any opinions/advice. Haven't tried grinding any surface > 1x1 with a fine wheel. Hope to hear what you fellas think!
Thanks.