Raptor CBN wheels

[Justin Stephen]

Looks like D-Way has some competition from Craft Supply.

http://youtu.be/urM-5P8_t4g

The video points out that you can use them without removing your grinder guards (wheel is 1" wide instead of 1 1/2", not sure how this is a good thing) and that you can side grind with it. Looks like it only comes in one grit, "170/200 Grit (ASTME)". Price is $196 but that includes the bushing, so it is about the same price as the D-Way wheels.

[Roger Chandler]

I have seen one of these and used it on a bowl gouge.........I prefer my D-Way with the 1-1/2" wide surface......just my opinion.

[Justin Stephen]

I have seen one of these and used it on a bowl gouge.........I prefer my D-Way with the 1-1/2" wide surface......just my opinion.

I'm inclined to agree with you. I was just pondering picking up a second CBN (180gr) to go with the 80 I already have. I'll get another D-Way just so I have a matching set. I love the 1 1/2" surface and I won't miss the grinder guards.

[Steve Peterson]

Its great to have a second choice. I already have a D-Way and like the 1 1/2 inch wide surface, although side grinding is a nice feature of the Raptor. I think I will keep a standard wheel on one side for grinding normal steel.

Steve

[Brian Libby]

The newer D-ways now have a side grinding feature .

[Reed Gray]

I got used to the 1 1/2 inch width of the D Way, and I have to try most things out there. I bought one of the Cuttermaster wheels which is 1 inch wide, and has a side grind option. I still prefer the 1 1/2 inch wide wheels. I talked to Dave about the side grind, and he said that the carvers love it, but it does not appeal to the turners as much. Don't think I will try this wheel. Though if I wanted the side grind option, I would want it wider like on the Optigrind or the Craft Supplies wheels.

robo hippy

[Larry Pickering]

I'll stick with my 11/2 D-ways

[Bob Bergstrom]

I am quite spoiled by that extra width on the D-Way. Great for long side grinds on gouges and sharpening skews.

[Roger Chandler]

I am quite spoiled by that extra width on the D-Way. Great for long side grinds on gouges and sharpening skews.

+1 on this observation......the side grind can be done by canting the gouge to the right or left and the entire wing can be sharpened at once.........makes for a fine edge which makes fine shavings on a shear cut or shear scrape with the wing......more surface for the skew as well!

[Bernie Weishapl]

I will stick with the D-way. Like the 1 1/2" width.

[Jeff Moffett]

The newer D-ways now have a side grinding feature .

Brian, can you elaborate on your statement? I don't see any mention of side grinding on the D-way website. I'm considering making a purchase and that would seal the deal. The advantage of the D-way seems to be the wheel width and the advantage of the Raptor is the side grind. If D-way has both, the choice would be easy.

[Ralph Lindberg]

Brian, can you elaborate on your statement? I don't see any mention of side grinding on the D-way website. I'm considering making a purchase and that would seal the deal. The advantage of the D-way seems to be the wheel width and the advantage of the Raptor is the side grind. If D-way has both, the choice would be easy.

Well, Dave has said that to me a couple times, including at dinner last night.

Personally, given that I know Dave, his wheels are wider, have more options (two grits) and are cheaper, I would still say go with D-Way

BTW, Craft Supplies approached Dave about wholesaling to them, he declined.

[Justin Stephen]

BTW, Craft Supplies approached Dave about wholesaling to them, he declined.

I figured they had. I suspect that once he declined, Craft Supply spent a fair amount of effort trying to find an alternate source for CBN wheels.

[Chris Chavis]

Brian, can you elaborate on your statement? I don't see any mention of side grinding on the D-way website. I'm considering making a purchase and that would seal the deal. The advantage of the D-way seems to be the wheel width and the advantage of the Raptor is the side grind. If D-way has both, the choice would be easy.

He mentions it in the video posted on his site at the bottom of the CBN wheel page - first video at about 2:16 that he has CBN material on the edges and I believe he mentions it later on too.

[Jeff Moffett]

He mentions it in the video posted on his site at the bottom of the CBN wheel page - first video at about 2:16 that he has CBN material on the edges and I believe he mentions it later on too.

Thanks for pointing that out, Chris. I don't see where Craft Supplies or D-way gives a size specification on the side grind. Just from looking at the pictures/videos, the D-way looks pretty small (maybe 1/4"?) whereas the Raptor appears to have somewhere around 3/4" to a 1". I've never used a wheel with the side grind feature, but it seems like an added bonus to provide more flexibility in grinding. I'd be curious to hear from anyone using a side grind wheel. Is it one of those things that once you have it, you don't want to live without it, or is it just an unnecessary feature that never gets used?