Looking for a sharpening tutor in MA

[JonathanF1968]

I've come to the conclusion that I am dreadful at sharpening my turning tools and need a tutor. I am in central MA. Can anyone help me out?

Thinking about this some more, much as I'd like to do it in person, probably best to do it remotely, until the plague subsides. I'll take video recommendations.... And yes, I've been doing a ton of YouTube searching about this, but I'm missing something....

--Jonathan

 

[JimB]

I've come to the conclusion that I am dreadful at sharpening my turning tools and need a tutor. I am in central MA. Can anyone help me out?

Thinking about this some more, much as I'd like to do it in person, probably best to do it remotely, until the plague subsides. I'll take video recommendations.... And yes, I've been doing a ton of YouTube searching about this, but I'm missing something....

--Jonathan

What gouges are you trying to sharpen and what type of sharpening set up do you have?

 

[Curly]

See if you can find a wood turning club. The members there should be able to help you.

 

[jttheclockman]

There are many utube videos. As asked what tools are you looking to sharpen?? Also highly suggest you get a good honeing kit and you will save a ton of time from sharpening on wheels. I use this Trend system. There are good diamond hones and then there are great diamond hones and the trend line is great.

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...837890C30F7FFACA9B23837890C30F7FFAC&FORM=VIRE

 

[its_virgil]

There are several clubs in Massachusetts. Look here for one near you. They can be very helpful.

Chapter	Full Address	City	State Province	Country
Association of Revolutionary Turners	Woodcraft Supply 185 New Boston St Woburn, MA 01801 UNITED STATES	Woburn	MA	United States
Cape Cod Woodturners	Cultural Center of Cape Cod 307 Old Main Street South Yarmouth, MA 02664 UNITED STATES	South Yarmouth	MA	United States
Central New England Woodturners	1870 Town Hall 12 Woodward Ave Berlin, MA 01503-1119 UNITED STATES	Berlin	MA	United States
Gateway Turners in West Wareham	Cape Cod Antique Restoration 2235 Cranberry Hwy West Wareham, MA 02576 UNITED STATES	West Wareham	MA	United States
Massachusetts South Shore Woodturners	Dust Bowl 409 Washington St Abington, MA 02351 UNITED STATES	Abington	MA	United States
Western Massachusetts Woodturners	Real Mercer's Shop 31 Lowell St West Springfield, MA 01085 UNITED STATES	West Springfield	MA	United St

Do a good turn daily!
Don

 

[Real]

This is Real Mercier. The Western Mass Woodturner's meet the second Wednesday of the month from 6:30 - 9:00 PM. The next meeting is April 8th. You're welcome to come check them out. I know some members are also members of the Central New England and/or the Central Connecticut Woodturners. Google them as I believe all three have websites with more information.

 

[leehljp]

On site help is best if possible; videos help quite often, but as you have noted from watching You Tubes, you are missing something. A person that is adept at sharpening might notice what you are missing.

I fully understand the "missing it" from watching YouTubes and videos. I have purchased videos of Skews and watched quite a few skew YouTube over the years and still cannot get a smooth cut from one end to another and not get a "catch" - and I do all I can to cut from the middle of the sharp edge. I need a personal tutor. YouTube and DVDs did not get it done for me.

In Other fields, practice practice practice did get it done, and sharpening was one area that it did for me. Excellent CA finishes also came from practice practice practice. It those cases, I was not shooting for a finished product i.e. a pen or sharpened chisel, but the feel, the process. That translated into a good finished product consistently after the practice. However, it has not worked for me on the skew just yet.

 

[donstephan]

Part stubborn, part cost, part convenience, I started using the Robo Rest platform a couple years ago and am completely satisfied. Reed Gray, the inventor, has a Youtube video on it. My spindle gouges are sharpened on the Rest using a 40-40 approach I learned from a Stuart Batty video. My bowl gouges I sharpen using a "roll and push" I saw on the Richard Raffan videos. But no question having a mentor would be a huge help. But I would suggest two or three mentors, as each likely will use slightly different approach and vocabulary.