Sharpening tools with Grinder or Disk Sander?

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randyrls

randyrls

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Joined
Feb 2, 2006
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Harrisburg, PA 17112
I have always sharpened my tools with a disk sander. I like the flat grind on my skews.

I recently got a grinder, and started using that for sharpening.

I don't find it as easy to use as the disk sander though..

So the questions:
What do you use to sharpen your lathe tools?

How do you do it?

All responses welcome!
 
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Well up to about an hour ago I used a 4 peice diamond file set and tried to get it correct.

An hour ago I received my 2 speed grinder so I guess I will be using that from now on.
 
For the turning tools, I use a grinder, and hone skews with a diamond plate. Gouges and things get the Wolverine treatment, and the skews I either do freehand or I use the Wolverine Skew attachment.
 
I use a grinder and then a fine hone to finish the edge for turning tools. If the work is finicky I'll take a skew to the Tormek to get to 'wicked sharp.'
 
I use the sanding disc that PSI sells. I like the fact that I can touch up an edge without having to move away from a turning.

One side has 220 grit paper and the other 400 grit. Once you have the profile you like on the tool, you really don't need to remove a lot of metial. (I work the profile with 80 grit until I have it the way I like it).
 
When I first started turning I used a belt sander. After about a year I switched to the WC slow speed grinder and the Wolverine setup. I'm quite happy with this but I would like to try out the Jet Tormack and Grizzly wet sharpeners to see if I can get a keener edge.
 
Plain old 6" cheap bench grinder. I rough on the 'front' of the wheel, and then lightly finish on the side. i have gotten a lot of flack from folks for using the side of the wheel in the past, but I use VERY light touch. Works great.
 
I get good results from my 1" delta sander with a really old belt that was maybe a 320 grit to start. Primitive I know but has done me well so far, I will get a slow speed set up(most likely I will just make the thing myself I have a 1750 rpm 1/4hp motor so only need a few things to do it) only after I get my barracuda 2 for the lathe.Oh and this will all be on the back burner for a while as I'm looking at buying a house in the next or so.I'm just such a tool addict I can't resist,lol.
 
currently using a Jool-Tool..very happy with it. I was fortunate to take an actual class at a woodworking school on sharpening tools (and I was the only one in that class, got 2 1/2 hours of one-on-one hands on training![^]). I will upgrade to a high end grinder with the appropriate jig when I have a bit o' cash available! What I learned (other than that my definition of sharp and a true professional's definition of sharp are very different) is that maintaining your chosen angle is the key to the edge. I am sure that there are folks among us who can indeed hand sharpen on a grinder to a beautiful edge, but with the proper jig, I was able to put a wicked sharp edge on all of my tools in just a couple minutes! The jig is the key!
 
Thanks for all the information.

I believe I will keep the grinder, but I'm going to look for a disk and belt sander combo.

I live in a great location! Grizzly is about 2 hours away and MSC Industrial Supply is about 35 minutes from my house. Woodcraft is about 20 minutes.
 
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