Sharpening tools

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad

aggromere

Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2009
Messages
1,385
Location
Tampa, FL
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Last month I broke down and bought a Woodcraft 8" two speed grinder for about one hundred bucks.

And I bought a complete Wolverine sharpening system including a diamond dressing tool.
Good so far..........

Then I tried dressing the two wheels and theye were out-of-balance a lot. Wobbly side to side. Solution: Easy......

I bought a OneWay wheel balancing system to to balance both wheels. Very cool.

But the wheel balancing system requires an 8" x 1" diameter grinding wheel size. The stock Woodcraft ones are 5/8" only. Balancing system won't fit. So........

Had to buy two new wheels from Woodcraft with the 1" holes.

Got them, installed everything, dressed the new wheels, balanced the wheels and redressed the wheels the final time.

So I have my nice $100 grinder but had to add a $70 balancing kit and $65 replacement wheels. So my deal costs $235. Plus the Wolverine stuff.

Moral of the story:
If you plan on replacing grinding wheels then get the best priced grinder and substitute the wheels.

If you need the wheels to be ready-to-go, make sure the wheels that come with the grinder will work for you. They can get $$.

Just MHO. :smile:
 
Neither the work sharp 2000 nor 3000 will improve your ability to sharpen turning tools.

Buy a sharpening jig.

I have and like the Wolverine system, but there are others systems available.
 
I've used the Work Sharp 2000 for several months. It has its benefits, but, overall, it is insufficient for turning tools. I'm buying a 2-speed grinder (with the upgrade wheels and balancing kit) and Wolverine set later this month.
 
I have the WS3000 as well as the Wolverine system, and a belt/disk sander.

I bought the WS3000 for sharpening other tools, bench gouges, planer blades,... the machetes hanging in the closet. All those can be just as easily done on a belt/disk sander. I wish I had saved the money on the WS3000.
 
Very nice suggestions. I personally use a Delta 8" VS grinder with the Wolverine set up, it works great. The Woodcraft model suggested above is very similiar for a little less money, great investment!!!

You can also try the Grizzly slow speed wet grinder (Tormek knockoff) Folks that have it love it, here is the link and its less than $160.00 http://www.amazon.com/Grizzly-T1001...ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1247539849&sr=1-1
 
many people like the aggressive grinders..I do not as I tire of buying new tools..they sure eat metal...I use a tormek..yes it's pricey..but so are tools...I saved up for mine & have never ever ever ever been unhappy with my choice
 
Rob,
Why don't you start with adding the Wolverine to what you have now.
The biggest reason for using a jig is the repeatability of your grinds. You then get muscle memory from the tool working the same way time after time.

Then when you have some more money, add a new grinder.

Jerry
 
I have tried Worksharp. Old fast grinder and even my water stones. Just bought a Tormek knockoff from Grizzly and am one happy camper. Added a couple of jigs but freehanded a gouge and skew with the best results yet
 
many people like the aggressive grinders..I do not as I tire of buying new tools..they sure eat metal...I use a tormek..yes it's pricey..but so are tools...I saved up for mine & have never ever ever ever been unhappy with my choice

+1 on saving for Tormek and saving expensive tools.


However, I do have the Delta variable speed grinder with the PSI sharpening jigs (get wolverine if you go this route) and I typically just use it for scrapers, or grinding new tools from scratch.
 
I got to admit, I use my worksharp only for my skew (does a great job on it btw). But it gets most of its use when I am segmenting. Man it does a great job at that.
 
Back
Top Bottom