Simplified Tool Sharpening

Space Teams Wood Turning
1

Hey y’all!

After hemming and hawing over tool profiles, I’ve finally simplified our tool profiles. See below for updated sharpening guidelines. I will put this on the wiki soon.

Scrapers:
All scrapers have been set to the same 70 degree angle profile, so the sharpening platform for them shouldn’t have to be adjusted. May get another platform and permanently lock it at 70 degrees for sharpening scrapers consistently.

Spindle and Bowl Gouges:
All of these have been color coded, so no more guessing on the one way jig, and this should make sharpening faster. One thing this will change: no more freehand sharpening (otherwise setting common tool profiles means nothing.) This should simplify sharpening and keep tools more consistent between users. Here are the steps for sharpening.

  1. Identify the color coding on the gouge (this one is purple)

    IMG_7206
    IMG_72063024×4032 2.79 MB

  2. Adjust the jig to the bottom of the corresponding color (before and after shown below)

    IMG_7204
    IMG_72044032×3024 3.04 MB

    IMG_7205
    IMG_72054032×3024 2.94 MB

  3. Make sure that the tool sticks 2” out of the jig by bumping the jig up against the bench to the right of the grinder, and extending the tool until it touches this wood stop block, and clamping down the jig.

    IMG_7211
    IMG_72113024×4032 3.17 MB

  4. Color the bevel in with sharpie and adjust the tool holder front to back so that the bevel lines up with the grinder wheel.

    IMG_7212
    IMG_72123024×4032 3.08 MB

  5. Holding the tool against the wheel, turn the wheel upwards with your hand to check alignment. If it only grinds away the sharpie on the tip or butt of the bevel, adjust tool rest forward/backwards respectively. Ideally should look like this, with a clear line from butt to tip.

    IMG_7213
    IMG_72134032×3024 2.46 MB

  6. Start up the wheel and evenly grind along the entire bevel. With this alignment you shouldn’t have to make many passes to grind away all of the sharpie. Be sure to keep the tool moving and not apply pressure down into the wheel.

Let me know if there’s any questions/confusion. I’m happy to host a sharpening presentation in person now that the profiles are set. And I will look to have someone help record a sharpening demo so that we’re all on the same page, as well as print a guide to put next to the sharpening wheel.

Thanks y’all!

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