Sharpening Help

[Aces-High]

OK, so I bought a lathe and a bunch of chisels from a guy on Craig's list, some of which are very nice. I dont have room for a grinder. What are my choices?

 

[JimB]

You need some type of 'system' to sharpen nd they all take up some room. A (slow speed) grinder with a Wolverine style jig (bought or homemade) is one of the most common.

If you have a belt sander that can easily be converted to a sharpening system. I've also heard of folks turning their lathe into a disc sander and using that to sharpen.

 

[CREID]

You can always sharpen by hand with something like a diamond stone. That is what I do.

 

[Woodchipper]

You can sharpen by hand with a diamond file. I have the three piece set of DMT diamond files. They are nice and do a great job. I spent a few $$$ and bought a Rikon low speed grinder on sale at Woodcraft. I also bought the Wolverine grinding jig that is mentioned. I wouldn't turn without either one- grinder to shape and take off metal quickly. The diamond files to touch up the edge. Good turning!
My wife keeps asking when I'm going to get a cheap hobby.

 

[Paul in OKC]

if it came with a face plate, you can put a piece of sandpaper on it and sharpen that way. Even a cheap grinder is better, but this can do in a pinch.

 

[Herb G]

If you don't have room for a grinder, invest in some carbide tools instead.
No sharpening needed, ever.
This guy is a member that sells them.

 

[Woodchipper]

FWIW, I made a disk grinder for the lathe, using a faceplate. The problem is you have to take off the turning and put the FP on the lathe. See #4 for my setup. I keep the grinder on the TS top which is about three steps from the lathe. I can sharpen while turning so I always have a sharp tool. I think if you look real close, you might find room for a grinder.

 

[Providentialpens]

I just hand sharpen my lathe chisels on my disc sander. It works perfectly for me.

 

[Hubert H]

Jason,

I'm not going to get into what or how to sharpen - however, as time goes on you will learn that sharpening is one of the most important things you will do if you really want to turn nice pens. I have seen people who struggle to turn - it wasn't so much the way they were doing it but it was the tools they were using. Dull tools are one of a turners biggest nightmares.

 

[Russ_Gray]

I have a little belt sander that I use for sharpening knives. A good steady hand or rest to keep the angles constant works perfectly for me. Once I hit it on the sander, I run a ceramic stick across it to knock off the burr. Be careful not to overheat the steel and use a light touch with a fine paper. Pressing harder doesn't work better.

The caveat to all of this... It works great for me. I do want to warn you that it does take a bit of practice, so I would start with some cheaper chisels to practice with.


Sent from my iPad using Penturners.org mobile app

 

[Ron in Illinois]

PSI has a disc system that mounts on your lathe.

 

[Firebucket53]

PSI sharpener

I bought the PSI sharpener. It works great for sanding but is not very good for sharpening. It's hard to hold a tool to get a proper Edge. My advice is spend the money and get a quality sharpening system.

 

[tcrawn]

so you are saying you NEVER have to sharpen carbide? Or do you just replace the tips?

 

[Paul in OKC]

You can use a diamond hone to sharpen somewhat. or just replace.

 

[JimB]

so you are saying you NEVER have to sharpen carbide? Or do you just replace the tips?

When it starts to dull you first rotate the cutter to a fresh edge. When all sides are dulling you then either sharpen them with a diamond hone or you buy and replace the cutter. My experience has been sharpening them is OK.

I started with HSS 9 years ago. A few years ago I bought a set of EWT carbide at an estate sale. I used them for a while but went back to my HSS. I still have the carbide but rarely use them.