Looking for a sharpening tutor in MA

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JonathanF1968

JonathanF1968

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Massachusetts
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
 
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JonathanF1968 said:
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
Click to expand...
What gouges are you trying to sharpen and what type of sharpening set up do you have?
 
There are several clubs in Massachusetts. Look here for one near you. They can be very helpful.
ChapterFull AddressCityState ProvinceCountry
Association of Revolutionary TurnersWoodcraft Supply 185 New Boston St Woburn, MA 01801 UNITED STATESWoburnMAUnited States
Cape Cod WoodturnersCultural Center of Cape Cod 307 Old Main Street South Yarmouth, MA 02664 UNITED STATESSouth YarmouthMAUnited States
Central New England Woodturners1870 Town Hall 12 Woodward Ave Berlin, MA 01503-1119 UNITED STATESBerlinMAUnited States
Gateway Turners in West WarehamCape Cod Antique Restoration 2235 Cranberry Hwy West Wareham, MA 02576 UNITED STATESWest WarehamMAUnited States
Massachusetts South Shore WoodturnersDust Bowl 409 Washington St Abington, MA 02351 UNITED STATESAbingtonMAUnited States
Western Massachusetts WoodturnersReal Mercer's Shop 31 Lowell St West Springfield, MA 01085 UNITED STATESWest SpringfieldMAUnited St

Do a good turn daily!
Don
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
JonathanF1968 said:
Hello, old thread. You know what? I still need this. Any fresh ideas? I'm on the North Shore of MA now, so those clubs aren't close.
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What platform are you using to sharpen? I use a Sorby Pro Edge and would be happy to show you how I do it on there, but that might not translate well if you are using a different sharpening system.

Woodcraft in Woburn also offers occasional seminars on sharpening. The Walpole Woodcraft location has a sharpening class coming up on June 18 that still has spots left.
 
Association of Revolutionary Turners (A.R.T.) has moved from Woodcraft - we now meet at Spence Farm, 41 Wyman St, Woburn MA 01801. Usually it's the third Wednesday of the month, next meeting is Wed. June 19 with a "learn & turn" session ahead of the meeting.

Visitors always welcome!

How far up 128 are you? If one of our members is in your vicinity there's a good chance of some one-on-one.
 
duncsuss said:
Association of Revolutionary Turners (A.R.T.) has moved from Woodcraft - we now meet at Spence Farm, 41 Wyman St, Woburn MA 01801. Usually it's the third Wednesday of the month, next meeting is Wed. June 19 with a "learn & turn" session ahead of the meeting.

Visitors always welcome!

How far up 128 are you? If one of our members is in your vicinity there's a good chance of some one-on-one.
Click to expand...
Thank you, I am in Gloucester. About an hour from Woburn....
 
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