Another tool sharpening Question

[chartle]

I didn't want to add this to the other thread here because its not about wheel grinders exactly.

Right now I use my 3" x 18" hand belt sander to sharpen my tools. I know I need a better solution. I also don't have a stationary belt sander.

Is there any reason why I can't do all my sharpening on the new belt sander? I could also use the belt/disc sander for other operations like trimming blanks.

 

[Edward Cypher]

Cliff take a look at Capt. Eddie's you tube he shows how to make a platform to sharpen gouges on the stationary belt sander. All you need is a piece of corian but I made the platform out of baltic birch plywood. It does do an amazing job especially if you buy those purple belts it cuts high speed steel just fine.

 

[KenV]

Cliff

Experience has been not to mix metal and wood with the same abrasive material. Works poorly both directions, but getting small bits of metal out of wood surfaces was the most challenging.

Hand held sharpening is better than dull tools, but is inconsistent without lots of practice.

 

[chartle]

Cliff

Experience has been not to mix metal and wood with the same abrasive material. Works poorly both directions, but getting small bits of metal out of wood surfaces was the most challenging.

Hand held sharpening is better than dull tools, but is inconsistent without lots of practice.

Well I really wouldn't use the belt sander for wood much. Currently the only thing I use my hand held belt sander is for sharpening and maybe some rough sanding, nothing i would later put a finish on.

 

[TellicoTurning]

I didn't want to add this to the other thread here because its not about wheel grinders exactly.

Right now I use my 3" x 18" hand belt sander to sharpen my tools. I know I need a better solution. I also don't have a stationary belt sander.

Is there any reason why I can't do all my sharpening on the new belt sander? I could also use the belt/disc sander for other operations like trimming blanks.

Until I got my slow speed grinder early last year, I sharpened all of my tools on a 1" x 18" belt sander from Harbor Freight... did for over 9 years of turning. I did (and you likely will too if you're not careful) get my tools out of shape and they needed to be re-shaped periodically at a friends house with his grinder. And you'll eat a lot of steel with the sander, but it works.