Sharpening on the cheap?

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rick_lindsey

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Feb 2, 2005
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Tucson, AZ
Hello! I'd been freehand sharpening my turning tools on the belt sander, but recently discovered that the club shop where I work has something that looks remarkably like a basic wolverine jig set up on a grinder of some sort. I tried it out and I definately like using the jig better than freehanding, though I think the grinding wheel may be a coarser grit than the sanding belt.

Is there anything i can do on the cheap to get a better sharpening experience? Is it useful to invest in different grit grinding wheels? Is there a cheapish way to run the wheel slower (is that useful?)?

It may very well be that what I've already got is all i need, but I'm always looking for ways to make my turning experience better. Going from exceedingly dull to sort of sharp tools made a huge difference, I'd think going from sort of sharp to quite sharp would be even better!

-Rick
 
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I've got a variable speed grinder. Now I'm looking for the extra bread to buy a Tru-Grind system. Seems to be pretty good.
 
I posted something a while back along that line. Sort of like the jig you linked to, but even simpler. Here it is.. Pen Turning Sharpening Video. The web page hilltopper linked in had something I hadn't considered, the difference in how a hand plane and a lathe chisel get used.

My feeling is that I may end up with something like the video I posted, but using a smoother wheel, maybe on a VS grinder.

There have also been some positive things for the HarborFreight Sharpener, it's a wet/dry system and often goes on sale for about 50 bucks I'm told.

Hope this helps,

Steve
Options, we don't need no stinking options
 
Steve, that post is the one that made me realize we had a sharpening jig in the first place :). I believe the jig he has in that video is basically a home-made wolverine jig.

The one thing that wasn't clear to me was when to use the "vari-grind" jig (the block of wood with a hole in it for the tool and a dowel sticking out the bottom) and when to just stick the end of the gouge in the rest and spin it... I believe in the "around the woods" site he showed a roughing gouge without the extra jig, and a bowl gouge with the extra jig... what about a plain spindle gouge?

thanks!

-Rick
 
Skye said:
I've got a variable speed grinder. Now I'm looking for the extra bread to buy a Tru-Grind system. Seems to be pretty good.
Click to expand...

I've got the Tru-Grind system (bought mine at KMS Tools) and it's worth every penny.

It's fool-proof, you see, and, well, I'm a fool - and even I can sharpen my tools with it.

What I want to do now is buy 4 or so more of the holders so I don't have to change the setup for different chisels.

Cheers!

Gary
 
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A dry grinder whether 6" or 8" wheels will serve your needs. prices can run from $29.00 to well over a $100. Been using a 6" grinder which runs at 3400 rpm.

You do want friable grinding wheels, which come in either pink or white. Cheapest I've found them including shipping is: http://www.sharpeningsupplies.com

I like either 60 or 80 grit wheel, your milage may differ.

Started out using a beltsander to sharpen, made couple different jigs when got my grinder. I've had a Wolverine system for the past 15 years.
 
you can do a home made jig. having another set up to match it to is a big plus. there are plans on the net for the varigrind type jig made of wood.
 
I'm sorry, I don't think I was clear. I don't have any tools at home, so I do all my turning in the shop at work (usually at lunchtime), where I have ready access to the grinder with a wolverine jig. I'm wondering whether there is a way to improve this setup, or if I'm already good to go? It sounds like making a home-made vari-grind attachment would be a cheap way to broaden my sharpening options. The wheel that is on the grinder is light blue, but I have no idea what grit it is. I'll see if it has any markings when I go over today.

-Rick
 
Thanks :). And after today I won't forget that the grinder has *two* wheels, and the tool rest does NOT make a good hand rest. Thankfully I'll have all of christmas holiday to heal ;)

-Rick
 
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