New sharpening system? - Woodworking Talk

guyos · 02-19-2008, 08:05 PM

Hi folks

What do you think of this sharpening box?

http://www.blumtoolco.com/

I came across it while surfing the net, never seen it before.

The system looks good to me, I am using waterstones, and understand that they will wear quickly.

With this system, you use any part or corner of the stone, the video is impressive. looks easy to use.

It isnt available in the UK, but I think that I could make up a fixed angle jig that uses the same principle.

guyos

Gerry KIERNAN · 02-20-2008, 01:15 PM

That looks lie a pretty practical rig. It doesn't look like it would be too hard to build.

Gerry

Hubert · 02-20-2008, 04:59 PM

Yeh, but I think I'd add one of those quick clamps not something you have to use a screw driver. That was the only thing that looked a bit odd.

But don't tell anyone you "borrowed" the idea.

Gerry KIERNAN · 02-21-2008, 12:43 PM

How about using wing nuts, or knurled nuts? Then it would still be quick and easy. I'm not sure a quick clamp would be secure enough.

Gerry

Johnathan Wilkinson · 02-21-2008, 02:05 PM

Yeah... That seems easy and fuctional. Some quick realease screws will speed things up.
I guess it would be possible for a particular user to still wear away certain patches from their stones unless they were careful to alternate their strokes and orbits -- but, Hey! It looks like an improvement on my tiny stones.

I wonder whether you could combine it with the scary sharp method. Maybe adhere strips of sand paper to boards instead of using stones -- of would they tear?
Ok. How about using a belt sander to do the scary sharp method?

I guess you'd still need to keep changing belts... but then why not build an extra wide tool-holding block like this, fit up several tools at once, and belt sand away on several at once.
Maybe not a solution for the home hobiest.... but a middling industrial solution possibility, eh?

Think I'll try the basic block first and see how it goes.

guyos · 02-22-2008, 07:42 AM

I have made the jig and used it, quite simple to make, and it didn't take me long. two pieces butted at a 30 degree angle, and a clamping piece on top.

See pics.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...os/Image06.gif
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...os/Image11.gif
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...os/Image09.gif
http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/f...os/Image12.gif

I tested it with an old battered up chisel that was just used like a cold chisel for any rough chopping or scraping, as you can see it is pitted and abused. It never had an edge, but after a few minutes on the jig and rubbing with an old oil stone, I got a very sharp edge, and it pared easily.

The result is good.

It is so easy, I will make another two with different angles and now I will change over to this method of sharpening. Rubbing the stone flat on top is very easy, and it can be used with sandpaper mounted on a block as well.

guyos

Capt Crutch · 02-22-2008, 08:19 AM

For $150, I'm not sure I see any advantage over the regular $12 wheeled jig like this:

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=3114

You can't do scrapers the way they show, but I guess we could cut a piece of wood with a square edge for that.

Am I missing something?

Gerry KIERNAN · 02-22-2008, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Capt Crutch

For $150, I'm not sure I see any advantage over the regular $12 wheeled jig like this:

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=3114

You can't do scrapers the way they show, but I guess we could cut a piece of wood with a square edge for that.

Am I missing something?

The only advantage I can see to the block jig is that you can see the edge as you put it on.
Gerry

Gerry KIERNAN · 02-22-2008, 11:51 AM

Nice guyos.

That looks simple enough. I think I will build one too.

Gerry