George Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Within the Box Joint thread the subject of sharpening came up and of particular interest to me is the idea of a Sharpening Station - for me and others I'm sure, this has always been a problem and no doubt use tools until they are far too blunt because I dread having to do it and possible spoil a good blade. My father showed me how to use his oilstones, but confess to resorting to a jig for this and have inherited a couple of grinders, etc. Being of a certain age and hoping to spend a bit more time on woodwork in the coming years, if there is such a thing to go for, what would anyone recommend?In the UK I'm not too far from the new Axminster store nr. Sittingbourne so suppose I could ask them directly, but would be nice to know what others do beforehand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassis Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 I just use something resembling the sharpening kit 80823 shown here for regular sharpening of hand chisels:http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/cat.jsp?cId=A335480&ts=69684I only use a grindstone and belt if a blade edge has been damaged.I'm sure others have more sophisticated kit, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Head Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Hi George,As I said on the other thread, I use the Tormek Supergrind system. It's a wetgrind system with a leather stropping wheel. The jig it comes with is suitable for chisels and hand planer blades. You can add jigs as your needs change. I think Axminster stock the whole range.It really is an excellent investment, it takes a little fiddling around with initially but once you're used to it you'll never want to be without razor sharp tools again!What do you make? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Smith Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 I second that - by coincidence our master craftsman at work advised (ordered?) me to get one today! I have to take all my chisels in on Monday to be shown how to use it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWINKLE Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Dick!Just curious (and bored[;-)]) will you be wearing the Norm outfit on Monday to school?For those of you who don't know Norm - take a look here. Ladies? Prepare to swoon!http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/6/891049/ShowPost.aspx#891049 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Head Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Yeah but he wears womens underwear Twinks and his eyes are too close together. The Tormek would sharpen your nails beautifully me dear! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWINKLE Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 It's what happens after hours spent in small sheds inhaling those highly chemical varnishes.It's like he's trying to go for the Rock Hudson look circa. McMillan & Wife - but he's not quite getting there[:-))] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meg Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Mr H is just jealous cause he could never look as cool as Norm! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWINKLE Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 I bet he's got tons of cheesy shirts just like that!Please don't encourage me Lou[:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meg Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Ok Ladies how about a vote???Mr H and his chainsaw or Norm and his tool belt.I'm going for Norm!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Head Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Norm, cool? I'm worried about you M&M..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meg Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 [quote user="Chris Head"]Norm, cool? I'm worried about you M&M.....[/quote]Yep, cool. And you are jealous!! [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWINKLE Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 I wouldn't know what to do with all those tools[:-))]It'll have to be Chris and his chainsaw for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Katie Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 [quote user="TWINKLE"]It's what happens after hours spent in small sheds inhaling those highly chemical varnishes.[/quote]Did you know that is where the term "mad as a hatter" came from. When they used to make top hats donkeys years ago, they used to use a real strong glue and were constantly high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Head Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 I'm using the wrong glue... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWINKLE Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 [quote user="Just Katie "][quote user="TWINKLE"] It's what happens after hours spent in small sheds inhaling those highly chemical varnishes.[/quote]Did you know that is where the term "mad as a hatter" came from. When they used to make top hats donkeys years ago, they used to use a real strong glue and were constantly high.[/quote]Yes I did know that JK, as I too read the "Did you know....?" article in the Daily Mail about 3 years ago. You also told us about the significance of sticking two fingers up - your knowledge is as ever as is my own (hic!) bottomless[:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Smith Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 [quote user="Just Katie "][quote user="TWINKLE"]It's what happens after hours spent in small sheds inhaling those highly chemical varnishes.[/quote]Did you know that is where the term "mad as a hatter" came from. When they used to make top hats donkeys years ago, they used to use a real strong glue and were constantly high.[/quote]No. The felt was treated with mercury, which led to mental problems. Hats aren't made with glue... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWINKLE Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 That'll teach us for reading the Daily Mail JK! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Katie Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Dont tell Dick you (we) read the Daily Mail Twinks. We will never hear the end of it[:@] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerdesal Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 Another woodworking thread hijacked by the Ladies. [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Posted March 9, 2007 Author Share Posted March 9, 2007 mmm Well thanks for that guys, I'll look into the Tormek. Think it might be a bit expensive for my needs and suppose I was looking for an easy to use, convenient and cheap option! Should know better.Still, I could always buy a Norm shirt and pretend - do you think he really does all that on his own? I'm certainly suprised he still has all his bits (or does he) and you never see him wearing a plaster. Whenever I start a project I always imagine ending up like the Michelin man. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Smith Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 You sometimes see Norm with a plaster, but never the slip that cause it...He claims that he does all the woodwork, but sometimes has assistance with finishing.I don't think you need the Tormek, just an oilstone will do, perhaps with a honing guide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gluestick Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 Personally, I think there is good sense in learning how to sharpen basic tools on a good oilstone, firstly, in order to learn and think about cutting edges, shapes and waste removal.One of the benefits I received from precision engineering, was learning exactly why and how tools were shaped. I was very fortunate in that I had an excellent teacher and excellent "Primers" on the theory.After a bit, I was able to sharpen HSS twist drills, to all attack angles by hand and didn't need to use the jig.Taught me lots.Perhaps the all singing all dancing sharpening station should come after one has mastered the how and why?Also, I have surfed the Tormek etc, no apparent facility to sharpen curved tools and in particular, Tungsten tipped tools. So a green wheel and something like a Dremel with a wide range of stones would still be necessary: as would a circa 3,000 rpm dry grindstone for HSS tools, like twist drills and etc.But I cheat, 'cos I have two professional die grinders (air) on running at > 60,000 rpm and the other no load at 20,000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Posted March 9, 2007 Author Share Posted March 9, 2007 My father was a cabinet maker and did all his by eye and feel, with no jigs, but I could never get the knack. Though I've discovered since that he bought a small wetstone grinder (Burgess I think). He never mentioned it and think perhaps he never mastered that and just put it at the back of a cupboard.Thanks for all your thoughts, will probably have to persevere with the oilstone, especially now I've inherited one or two more albeit well used and certainly not flat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gluestick Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 Unless you have an oilstone scraper and can scrape stones flat - a skilled task - since stones are relatively cheap, if not good and true, bin them and buy new.I could scrape Babbit bearings: still have all my scrapers and the scraper sharpeners, but I wouldn't want to tackle a bearing now!One thing I always do with stones is to to make a box to keep them in: and thereafter always use the stone against a bench stop to prevent movement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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