How to Select the Right Grinding Wheel (1956) | Precision Manufacturing in 1950s America

Made for industrial shop training, this Norton instructional film presents a clear, step-by-step method for grinding-wheel selection—useful for apprentices and as a practical refresher for seasoned machinists. Produced during the 1950s, the film reflects Norton Company’s long-standing leadership in abrasives manufacturing and its role in standardizing grinding practices for American machine shops, vocational programs, and factory maintenance departments. Using practical demonstrations and clear explanations, the film walks viewers through the factors that determine proper wheel choice, including material type, wheel composition, grade, and application. The emphasis is on understanding why a particular grinding wheel is selected and how correct selection improves performance, finish, and efficiency on the shop floor. The film features industrial scenes of automotive part production, including camshafts and crankshafts being ground to specification with Norton grinding wheels. This film is part of Norton’s 1950's industrial training efforts, created to support consistent methods across a rapidly modernizing manufacturing workforce. Preserved from 16mm Kodachrome film and presented by Moviecraft Inc.