Centerless grinder

A method of grinding an elongated workpiece using a centerless grinder, the centerless grinder comprising a grinding wheel having a working surface with a plurality of raised areas extending circumferentially around at least a portion of the working surface, a support for holding the workpiece and moving the workpiece laterally toward the grinding wheel into a working area adjacent the grinding wheel for grinding the workpiece, the support having a plurality of lateral grooves for receiving the raised areas, a spindle and collet positioned in front of the working area for rotating the workpiece and moving the workpiece one or both of forwardly and backwardly through the working area, a spool for holding wire stock and a guide, said method comprising:

• moving the spindle and collet backwardly away from the working area;
• dispensing a length of the wire stock from the spool into the guide and from the guide through the spindle and collet;
• closing the collet to grip the wire stock;
• cutting the wire stock to provide the workpiece;
• moving the support toward the working area, while rotating the spindle and collet;
• and
• receiving the raised areas on the working surface in the plurality of lateral grooves to grind the workpiece.