How Do You Sharpen( New Turner Question)

[BigguyZ]

+1 on the woodcraft SS grinder.

I also have, and recomend this:
http://www.amazon.com/PSI-Woodworkin...6306154&sr=8-2

[Russianwolf]

I do mine by hand on a belt/disc sander with 400 grit. Works for me and I can shave with my skew.

[Tom Miller]

For using a bench grinder, do I have to reverse the direction of the wheel spin? It seems unsafe to push the chisel against the spin direction.

Nope, that's how it's done. The chisel (or whatever you're grinding) should be supported from below (tool rest, guide, etc.), but you're not going to experience a "catch" like you might in turning, if that's what you're thinking.

Regards,
Tom

[jking]

For using a bench grinder, do I have to reverse the direction of the wheel spin? It seems unsafe to push the chisel against the spin direction.

Nope, that's how it's done. The chisel (or whatever you're grinding) should be supported from below (tool rest, guide, etc.), but you're not going to experience a "catch" like you might in turning, if that's what you're thinking.

Regards,
Tom

Exactly what Tom said. If the grinder wheel was turning the other direction, the grinding surface is moving away from you. If you try to grind with the wheel moving that direction, it will tend to pull the tool off the tool rest.

[Rich P]

Watch the Oneway video...if a picture is worth 1000 words the video is worth billions.

[leehljp]

Funny... I didn't have any experiencing sharpening turning tools and got it the first time out of the chute after just watching the sharpening videos on Youtube... I guess I am just an odd bird then... I think a jig would make for more stable nerves, and certainly more certain repeatability. But are they neccesary? Not really... They sure are nice though and are something I want to add to my sharpening arsenal....

DB,

The reason I wrote "most people" is because more people are not skillful at this than are. I have watched people sharpening blade edges on different tools and done it myself since the '50s, but that doesn't help me nor does it help most people. On the "fingernail", skew, different gouges, it is hard for most people to get without some experience and (considerable experience for some). Consider yourself skillful.

This brings up an issue that most people outside of psychologists don't get: Everyone that "can" do something well the first time out - wonders why the rest of the world can't. That is what makes the world go 'round. MANY skillful turners need jigs to put the right shape on their tools.

With my years of experience, I still cannot get the right shape and angle on fingernails or even curved gouges. I do get it, but it takes time and grinding more than I should before I get it right. I know there are skillful people out there that can, but for the most, a jig is the tool to get repeat and perfect shapes without over grinding. And while experience is very helpful, some old codgers like me loose their skills to shaky hands. Oh to be young!

Now lets talk REAL shaping and sharpening: I need for the scraper to be so sharp that it will cut hard wood and leave it as smooth as a skew. That requires honing after shaping. While I cannot do consistent shaping with "fingernail" gouges, I can shape the scraper by hand to my needs. I still have trouble shaping the 1 1/4 in skew perfectly by hand.

[jcjrsmith]

Has anyone used the WS 3000 for sharpening their turning tools? A lathe has been on my wish list for a while, but I don't have a slow speed grinder for sharpening. I know there was talk that the top tool rest on the WS 3000 could be used for sharpening non-flat blades, but has anyone actually done it? If so, how well did it work?

Thanks!

-- Ken

I use one. I bought it originally for my chisels and plane irons, but for my use it works well for my lathe tools. The see-thru wheel really helps.

[Richard in Smithville]

Thanks for all the information. I think I will be buying a bench grinder this weekend and see about building a jig to hold my chisels in place for now. Perhaps I'll look at some sort of system in the near future.

[Tom Miller]

...and see about building a jig to hold my chisels in place for now.

There's lots of examples of home-made jigs on the web, once you're ready to do some searching -- you'll have no problem coming up with ideas.

Regards,
Tom

[seabat]

I have the HF knockoff of the Tormek still sitting on the floor in the box because I'm kind of out of room to put things so I'm using a 1" x 30" belt sander and then finish touching them up with some flat and round ezlap diamond stones.

[seabat]

I do mine by hand on a belt/disc sander with 400 grit. Works for me and I can shave with my skew.

Wow ... 400 grit and here I thought the 200 grit I'm using was fine.

Does this touch up or can you reshape with this?

[jgrobler]

Here are some links to help you, included are some jigs that function similarly to the Wolverine Oneway system.

http://www.turningtools.co.uk/widget.../grindjig.html
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/w00115.asp
http://www.aroundthewoods.com
http://www2.woodcraft.com/pdf/77B61.pdf

On these sites, specially the first, if you go the the main page, is more than enough information, on all things turning to keep you occupied for a few hours. Have fun, but enter at your own risk...

Johan

[Russianwolf]

Wow ... 400 grit and here I thought the 200 grit I'm using was fine.

Does this touch up or can you reshape with this?

mainly touch up work, if I need to change a grind I go down to 220 grit.

I did take a piece of bar stock and shape for a custom tool, I did all the hard work on it at 80 grit and then went up to 220 and 400. Came out nice, but it snapped in half the second time I used it

[Richard in Smithville]

Here are some links to help you, included are some jigs that function similarly to the Wolverine Oneway system.

http://www.turningtools.co.uk/widget.../grindjig.html
http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/pages/w00115.asp
http://www.aroundthewoods.com
http://www2.woodcraft.com/pdf/77B61.pdf

On these sites, specially the first, if you go the the main page, is more than enough information, on all things turning to keep you occupied for a few hours. Have fun, but enter at your own risk...

Johan

That's fantasic Johan. They are bookmarked. Thanks.

[bmyers]

I found some plans on the internet that had a gouge fixture and plywood base like the one above. I really like it and it gets alot of use. Unfortunately the guy who put the plans up passed away and the website doesnt exist anymore. You can get an idea from here though.






http://billswood.blogspot.com/ more pictures

Bill

Found the plans! They are here: http://shapewood.co.uk/Documents/sharpe1.PDF
The vari-grind fixture are print and stick and cut! The guy had real talent...