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Adam Tuning Cutting Edges
May 15th, 2007 05:41 AM
May 15, 2007 Tuning Cutting Edges


It shouldn't be news to anyone that a sharp woodworking tool works much better than a dull edged tool.

What does seem to be news to some woodworkers is that there are different ways to go about getting that sharp edge.

The biggest news to some is that bench grinders are absolutely NOT standard sharpening tools.

A grinding action removes nicks from blades, establishes the bevel angle of the blade and can be used to create the type of edge the user desires (hollow-ground, flat or convex).

After grinding a tool to the point where the beveled edge meets the back of the tool, only a wire burr remains.

This burr is far too coarse to be used well by cutting tools and must be removed and the edge refined with honing tools.

Honing tools are the main-stay of most cutting tool sharpeners.

The first thing that should be done is for the "flat" side of the tool to be lapped to a truly flat surface and then refined to eliminate any left over factory grind marks and preferably the coarser lapping marks.

Next, the beveled edge is honed.

The above actions are always the same, starting from fast removing coarse honing tools to finer and finer honing media.

Once grind marks are removed and dull honed surfaces resemble mirror smoothness, the tool's full innate cutting capabilities can be accessed by its user.

If you do any kind of work with tools, that involves a cutting action, you should become familiar with that tools sharpening procedures.

Your little bit of extra efforts will be greatly rewarded with a lifetime of excellent tool performance.

There are books written on this subject and many different types of sharpening "systems".

If any member is interested in knowing any further detail, just ask.
Elliot Tool Sharpening
May 15th, 2007 07:08 AM
Originally, I used a professional sharpening service in town to sharpen my woodworking tools, but I use a stone and oil myself if I only have one or two tools to work on. I don't own a bench grinder, so I have been doing everything manually, which is obviously very time consuming. Have you ever found any sort of success sharpening tools with a rotary tool?
Adam Rotary tool sharpening
May 15th, 2007 02:05 PM
May 15, 2007 Rotary tool sharpening


I have had very good sucess with using rotary tools to sharpen large objects, like gardening tools.

Unlike the bench grinders, it is almost impossible to generate enough heat to draw temper from a tool's cutting edge.

I will still finish with either a single-cut file or Carborundum stone.

I also use the wire wheels, on a much lower speed setting to remove any rust, dirt or plant gunk.
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