Fix Up A Worn Down Bench Grinder With An $8 Amazon Find

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Bench grinders are handy workshop tools, yet their grinding wheels lose effectiveness over time, leading to uneven results, damaged material, and longer sharpening times. Fortunately, a worn grinding surface doesn't always mean it's time for a replacement. An inexpensive tool you can purchase for about $8 on Amazon, the POWERTEC Grinding Wheel Dresser, may help restore your grinding wheel's performance. This handheld tool uses a flat diamond abrasive surface to wear down and refresh the grinding surface, extending its lifespan and saving you from prematurely spending $15 or more on a new wheel.

Most conventional bench grinder wheels are made from abrasive materials, such as aluminum oxide or silicon carbide, held together by a bonding agent. After repeated use for restoring rusty garden tools, shaping metal pieces, and sharpening mower blades, the abrasive surface can become glazed, clogged with metal particles, or grooved and uneven, as is common if you sharpen items primarily with the center of the wheel. That's when you know it's time to dress the grinding wheel. Dressing with an abrasive surface like the POWERTEC tool removes worn material and debris, exposes a fresh abrasive surface, and grinds the wheel to an even shape from side to side. Buyers note the piece is easy to use and works quickly, with many able to dress multiple wheels in a matter of minutes.

Because the POWERTEC Grinding Wheel Dresser is so easy to use, you can touch up your wheel regularly. While some reviewers have had issues with durability, others still speak positively about the value by pointing to the low cost. Just be sure to always follow the manufacturer's safety guidelines whenever you're using your bench grinder. Keep protective guards in place, wear safety glasses, and secure any long hair and loose clothing. Since the dresser can produce substantial dust, wear a mask as well.

The POWERTEC Grinding Wheel Dresser features a 36-grit diamond dead-flat abrasive surface designed to smooth uneven surfaces and remove buildup from edge to edge, with some users mentioning how effective it is at removing embedded aluminum in particular. Before using it, inspect the wheel for cracks or damage, and replace it if it has structural damage. When you're ready to dress it, turn your bench grinder on, and get it up to speed. Following the manufacturer's instructions, position the POWERTEC dresser securely on the grinder's tool rest. Gently bring it into contact with the rotating wheel, moving it evenly across the surface while applying a light touch. Hold it securely as you push its flat surface onto the grinding wheel, pulling it away from the wheel frequently. You'll quickly see the wheel correcting its shape as it spins, and you can pause as needed to check that you've achieved a workable surface.