Sharpening

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moke

moke

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Cedar Rapids, Iowa
I got several "turning" DVD's for Christmas. I have to be one of the worst tool sharpeners in the world. I thought as a New Years' resolution I would try to improve. Last night I was watching a DVD and this particular host was using a hone type grinder that appeared to be belt driven in nature and the wheel was two pieces of 3/4 MDF glued together turned to perfectly round, mounted on this arbor and charged with white diamond.

Has anybody ever heard of that? What speed would this hone be turning. I have a HF buffer that operates at 3450 that I never use...is that too fast for a hone too? I have just been using a diamond file for finish honing after using an 8' slow speed grinder with wolverine jigs. Is this hone more or less efficient. This host of the DVD used a diamond file too, can anyone tell me why both? The DVD is all about the Skew Chisel by Lancer.

I have been using the woodchuck for almost everything, but I would like to know at least how to use all the other tools the "correct way". Sharpening seems to be a huge part of using them correctly....Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks in advance
 
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I've heard of using MDF wheels charged with some kind of grinding or buffing compound. There is video of a guy in Japan who talks about his grinding process and who demonstrates that idea.

Also, I've read somewhere about the idea of replacing the handwheel on a lathe with an MDF wheel that can be charged and used for honing tools 'on the fly'.

The one thing to be aware of is that grinding is normally done with the wheel spinning toward the tool, but honing is done with the wheel spinning the opposite direction. If you are using a wheel on the lathe for honing, you need to approach the wheel below the centerlline so as to have the wheel rotating in the proper direction for honing.
 
Sounds like an Alan Lacer video. I saw him do a demo in person where he used exactly what you described to hone his skew. From the cuts he showed after honing it, it sure looked effective to me.
 
jasontg99 said:
Sounds like an Alan Lacer video. I saw him do a demo in person where he used exactly what you described to hone his skew. From the cuts he showed after honing it, it sure looked effective to me.
Click to expand...


That is the guy...I got 7 DVD's for christmas, that is all I asked for, his is the most well done and informative. A couple are hard to watch, you have to take a couple breaks to keep your attention up.
Thanks
 
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monophoto said:
I've heard of using MDF wheels charged with some kind of grinding or buffing compound. There is video of a guy in Japan who talks about his grinding process and who demonstrates that idea.

Also, I've read somewhere about the idea of replacing the handwheel on a lathe with an MDF wheel that can be charged and used for honing tools 'on the fly'.

The one thing to be aware of is that grinding is normally done with the wheel spinning toward the tool, but honing is done with the wheel spinning the opposite direction. If you are using a wheel on the lathe for honing, you need to approach the wheel below the centerlline so as to have the wheel rotating in the proper direction for honing.
Click to expand...

Louie--
Thanks for the help--if I was to use the buffer, couldn't I just turn it around and use the other side or am I wrong? I have a small Rikon as a second lathe that I have a Beall buff on now, again why couldn't I use the other side? Or is it easier than I think to work from the bottom of the wheel...He mentioned the buffing compound, it was in a 2" white round stick, and he said he got it at the hardware store, I guess I just assumed it was white diamond.
 
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Mike, if you make the wheel of MDF a bit smaller, then the surface speed will be less in proportion. There is an article in this months American Woodworker showing honing a chisel on a block of MDF so it obviously will work. Caculate the surfce speed of the 1715 wheel then make your wheel the correct diamater to give you the same surface speed at 3250. The edge will never know the difference while being honed.
Charles
 
moke said:
ghostrider said:
I've heard of sharpening with paper wheels, but nothing like what you describe.

Paper wheel sharpening - YouTube
Click to expand...


Actually David, that is very close to what he did, AND that is the same buffer I have! If anybody knows if 3450 rpm will not heat the tool up too much while honing, I think that will work!!!
Click to expand...
I sharpen things that fast, but Ikeep a bucket of water handy and don't let things heat up.

3450 is fast, and bot recommended. However, it can be don if you know what your doing.

You might also check into a router speed controller. One of the guys who posted a review for Harbor freights claims to use it with his grinder. There's can be had for $15, and others do sell them.
 
ghostrider said:
moke said:
ghostrider said:
I've heard of sharpening with paper wheels, but nothing like what you describe.

Paper wheel sharpening - YouTube
Click to expand...


Actually David, that is very close to what he did, AND that is the same buffer I have! If anybody knows if 3450 rpm will not heat the tool up too much while honing, I think that will work!!!
Click to expand...
I sharpen things that fast, but Ikeep a bucket of water handy and don't let things heat up.

3450 is fast, and bot recommended. However, it can be don if you know what your doing.

You might also check into a router speed controller. One of the guys who posted a review for Harbor freights claims to use it with his grinder. There's can be had for $15, and others do sell them.
Click to expand...


David,
When I "inherited" this 3450 buffer I vought a rockler router speed control. it slows it, but it looses all it's power. You stop the wheels by just trying to use it....I will continue to look for 1750 options...
Mike
 
ctubbs said:
Mike, if you make the wheel of MDF a bit smaller, then the surface speed will be less in proportion. There is an article in this months American Woodworker showing honing a chisel on a block of MDF so it obviously will work. Caculate the surfce speed of the 1715 wheel then make your wheel the correct diamater to give you the same surface speed at 3250. The edge will never know the difference while being honed.
Charles
Click to expand...


Thanks Charles...
I will make that but, can barely balance my checkbook...how would I go about calculating that?
 
If your tools are carbon steel then you will probably overheat them as it doesn't take much. If they are HSS (tool steel) then you probably won't be able to overheat them unless you fall asleep while sharpening. Just remember that you are just sharpening, not grinding, and the wheel is going twice as fast as most manufacturers recommend. Stay SAFE and have fun!
 
moke said:
ghostrider said:
moke said:
ghostrider said:
I've heard of sharpening with paper wheels, but nothing like what you describe.

Paper wheel sharpening - YouTube
Click to expand...


Actually David, that is very close to what he did, AND that is the same buffer I have! If anybody knows if 3450 rpm will not heat the tool up too much while honing, I think that will work!!!
Click to expand...
I sharpen things that fast, but Ikeep a bucket of water handy and don't let things heat up.

3450 is fast, and bot recommended. However, it can be don if you know what your doing.

You might also check into a router speed controller. One of the guys who posted a review for Harbor freights claims to use it with his grinder. There's can be had for $15, and others do sell them.
Click to expand...


David,
When I "inherited" this 3450 buffer I vought a rockler router speed control. it slows it, but it looses all it's power. You stop the wheels by just trying to use it....I will continue to look for 1750 options...
Mike
Click to expand...
That's nice to know. I was considering it myself.
 
Woodcraft sells an 8" slow speed grinder for a bit over $100.00. makes a big difference you almost have to try to over heat even carbon steel. I use my old 3450 with a wire wheel on one side & a course wheel if I need something ground to size.
 
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