How do you sharpen your chisels and plane irons?
I touched up a couple this afternoon, and I use first a composition oil stone, then I progress to an 800 grit waterstone, and finish up dry on sandpaper at 1200, 1500, and 2000 grit.
My composition oil stone has a coarse side, and a less coarse side. I use them on the primary bevels, then hit them with the waterstone on the primaries, and then move to the secondary edge bevel.
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Replies
It depends on use..
shop tools, I like diamond "stones" and leather with rouge charred strop.
Site or ruff use, a beltsander and a strop against my boot for the feather edge..and anywhere in between for trimming a house,,it depends how BAD the edge is to start out with, the desired cutting action, the desired result and what ever workshop Jon says is appropriate...LOL
Seriously, I have many edge tools that never see a grinder..just touchup as needed..but I do unconventional works, and other tools that I sharpen onsite on the driveway concrete.
Be specific on what the tool is asked to do, and what quality of steel ya have, and I'd be more than happy t show ya some tricks.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
no ...
U start the specifics ...
I need tricks for all them sharp pointy things!
catagorize as ya see fit ...
Jeff
I started with oil stones back in the dark ages, quickly changed to Japanese water stones that I used for years, and recently switched to Shapton stones.
While not cheap, they cut much faster than anything I've used and require less maintenance than other stones. A quick spray of water, and you're ready to go.
If a blade gets really bad, like from hitting a nail ( who left THAT there?), I'll grind it to get any nicks out, otherwise a few strokes will bring the edge right back.
Man, what boring lives we lead, Bob. I was in the shop doing the same thing last night. My old crystalline and india stones aren't flat and I don't like oil around the shop. I use DMT diamond stones. Blue and red, I think they are about 400 and 800. I've had these 8" stones for about 15 yrs. they have seen a lot of use and still cut great and stay flat. Today there are more diamond choices available. After the red diamond I used 2000 paper. I use the cast iron extension on my table saw, spray the paper lightly with 3M adhesive and use water with a drop of soap. I get almost a mirror polish with the 2000 and don't often bother to go beyond that. I've never liked micro-bevels on my chisels, not sure they make much difference and reworking the primary bevel later is too much work for me. I also use an Eclipse honing guide. Someday I may buy a 4 or 6000 water stone but for most work the 2000 paper is good and I can go much finer. I also have a leather strop with four grades of leather. I sometimes use it just to buff up a used edge but it does round over the edge slightly. I guess we're good to go come Monday but we'd better get out of the shop at least once this weekend.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
I remember a thread about this a couple/few years ago...............damn near started a riot I tell ya.
You think the tavern's tough? Someone dig up that thread.
Eric
I Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
Tormek water wheel, hone. Diamond stones to touch up. The water in the trough for the Tormek evaporates and is empty for weeks between sharpenings. Rough work is done on the 8" grinder with silicone carbide wheel. When I'm feeling the need to be alone in the shop, I'll haul out the old oil stones to sharpen the tools. Usually happens in the winter, though, when things aren't so busy.
Japanese water stones. Lately I've been using DMT diamond to start with ( blue, red, green), then the final hone is with the Japanese 4000 grit. I like the secondary bevel. I'm thinking of getting a Tormak. When the tool gets too messed up and needs to be resquared and ground that's when I put it to the grinder, a slower one with a wide white 'cool wheel'. Make sure the backs of all your chisels, plane irons, and plane soles are lapped perfectly flat.
Tormek, Tormek and more Tormek. I have better things to do with my time than drag steel over an oilstone. The Tormek makes it all so easy and fast and gives me a perfect edge every time. I'll never go back!
Has anybody mentioned the Tormek?
(-:
Man, I sure love mine. After we got ours, my Son and I sharpened everything in the house and then some. I still remember him saying: "Isn't there ANYTHING else we can sharpen?"
It's absolutely perfect for sharpening plane irons and chisels. I never knew a block plane could cut so well. Every tool I've got is now sharpe than it's ever been.
Q: What do you get when you mate an elephant with a poodle?
A: A dead poodle.
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