A process for producing dry substantially crack-free shaped bodies, such as grinding wheels, from a sol-gel alumina hydrate composition is disclosed. The shaped bodies are formed by either a one or a two step forming process and avoid having to pre-prepare alpha alumina grits. The addition of specific crack-avoiding drying control additives, e.g. whiskers, chopped fibers, agarose gels, and formamide, to the sol-gel alumina hydrate prior to water removal therefrom substantially prevents crack-formation during the water removal operation.