Sharpening wood turning tools - Woodworking Talk

brwoodcrafts · 06-07-2008, 04:43 PM

I've just got back in to turning and I am having a tough time sharpening my tools. The fingernail grind on my 3/8 gouge was good until I tried to sharpen it. Now it does not cut as well. At the last woodworking show I went to, I saw the Tormek T-7 demoed. Does anyone have one? Is it as easy to set up like they did in the demo?
I know it is spendy but I think it will be worth it if it works like they say it should.

john lucas · 06-07-2008, 08:42 PM

The Tormek does do a good job and is easy to use but you can still screw up the edge if you don't do it correctly.
The Oneway Wolverine jig also works well and is considerably less expensive. Both jigs still require looking at the edge and grinding carefully. I have seen a lot of edges mishapen by careless grinding even with the various jigs.
The most important thing is to learn what you can about sharpening and then practice practice practice.
I recommend the AAW DVD on sharpening as a very good learning tool. http://www.woodturner.org/products/videos/

firehawkmph · 06-07-2008, 10:30 PM

What John says. I have a tormek. They usually come with a good video and book. They are easy to set up once you understand what you are doing and what you are trying to accomplish. Like John said, any jig system can still screw up an edge. I have seen some horrendous sharpenings done with good jigs because the users didn't really know what they were doing. What the jigs really do is allow you to reproduce and existing angle. If you don't have the proper angle to begin with, you will end up with a lousy edge. Find someone locally to get together with that can show you how their jig setup works. It really isn't that hard, but does take some practice.
Mike Hawkins

hughie · 06-08-2008, 10:23 AM

I would be looking at the Wolverine type jigs as they are cheaper and easy to use.
Secondly if you want to change the shape of a tool etc the this type will remove the metal far quicker than a Tormek and becuase of this you can touch up your tools far more quickly and get back to turning.