Best bet for sharpening?

paulrussell · Post by **paulrussell** » Sat Apr 24, 2010 12:39 pm

After reading of how much people like the velcro system for sanding disks, I ordered it for my machine, and then realized it is not recommended for sharpening.
Soooo I'm trying to figure out my best bang-for-buck option.
Options I've thought of include a second sanding disk dedicated to stick-on paper, a grinder attachment for the SS, a stand-alone grinder, a SS or other belt sander, a specialized sharpener...
So many pros and cons. To begin with I'll be wanting to keep my SS chisels sharp. Beyond that it is all foggy...

I'm not sure where my interests will lead in the future.

Whatcha think?

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Sat Apr 24, 2010 2:29 pm

Paul
Do you mow your lawn? Well I keep my mower blades sharp using the SS sanding disk.
I have three disks. One for velcro, one for metal sanding/sharpening and one for pressure sensitive pads (self stick sanding disks). I would like one more one for velcro, one for metal sanding/sharpening, one for self stick course/med paper and one for fine paper.

In have the SS sharpening jig for lathe chisels and I sharpen everything else either on the SS disk or free hand on a bench stones.

paulrussell · Post by **paulrussell** » Sat Apr 24, 2010 2:35 pm

Ed in Tampa wrote:Paul
Do you mow your lawn?

Nope, the Mrs does it.

But I am in charge of mower maintenance, so good point, and thanks for the comments.

8iowa · Post by **8iowa** » Sun Apr 25, 2010 8:44 am

In '08, at the "Shopsmith week-end" Nick Engler demonstrated sharpening on the strip sander, with the optional sharpening jig installed. The results were impressive. Since then, my son and I have sharpened lathe chisels on the strip sander. This works very well.

However, if you are set up in lathe mode, and working on a project, any MK V attached sharpening accessory will be unaccessible, unless you have a second Shopsmith or something like a "shorty". Therefore I have a slow speed 8" grinder with the Wolverine jig attached. If you are going to be using the Shopsmith for a lengthy lathe session a separate sharpening method, such as the Wolverine is very essential.

moose · Post by **moose** » Sun Apr 25, 2010 9:40 am

8iowa: What two grit wheels do you use with your Wolverine setup?

I too am a big fan of the strip sander. There's nothing like the edge you can place on tools with a well worn 600 grit belt followed by either a power leather belt stropping or hand stropping. Of course such a super fine edge dissappears almost instantly on the lathe but it is available if needed.

Ashbury

paulrussell · Post by **paulrussell** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 5:39 pm

8iowa wrote:In '08, at the "Shopsmith week-end" Nick Engler demonstrated sharpening on the strip sander, with the optional sharpening jig installed. The results were impressive. Since then, my son and I have sharpened lathe chisels on the strip sander. This works very well.

However, if you are set up in lathe mode, and working on a project, any MK V attached sharpening accessory will be unaccessible, unless you have a second Shopsmith or something like a "shorty". Therefore I have a slow speed 8" grinder with the Wolverine jig attached. If you are going to be using the Shopsmith for a lengthy lathe session a separate sharpening method, such as the Wolverine is very essential.

Yesterday I purchased a variable speed grinder, thus negating the high/slow speed issue. I felt that a bench grinder is an essential wood and metalworking tool that can be used for multiple tasks, vs a dedicated sharpening system. Next I'll add the much-recommended Wolverine jig. Sometimes the wealth of modern options gets in the way of getting things done. Better to make a decision that's 'good enough' and move forward than to remain forever mired in trying to find the perfect solution.

paulrussell · Post by **paulrussell** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 9:13 pm

Okay, I was shopping for the Wolverine this evening and unless I'm missing something it seems to be little more than a pivot for the end of the handle that can be adjusted to the needed distance from the wheel. I'm sure it is well made, but $89 seems a bit steep.

Is there something magical here I'm missing?

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 9:19 pm

paulrussell wrote:Okay, I was shopping for the Wolverine this evening and unless I'm missing something it seems to be little more than a pivot for the end of the handle that can be adjusted to the needed distance from the wheel. I'm sure it is well made, but $89 seems a bit steep.

Is there something magical here I'm missing?

That's is. As far as I can tell, anyway. I plan on building my own. Or helping my dad build it, actually as he's the welder in the family. I've seen home made versions made with wood, but I'd prefer it to be metal.

Here's a hand made version I found on YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCVqWR1FcM0

iclark · Post by **iclark** » Fri Apr 30, 2010 11:18 pm

paulrussell wrote:Okay, I was shopping for the Wolverine this evening and unless I'm missing something it seems to be little more than a pivot for the end of the handle that can be adjusted to the needed distance from the wheel. I'm sure it is well made, but $89 seems a bit steep.

Is there something magical here I'm missing?

you found the base system that includes the base blocks that hold and lock the inserts in place, a nice flat-plate insert, and the piece that you describe for sharpening gouges, flat scrapers, and various shapes of parting tools. IIRC, I paid more than $89 for the base unit.

in addition to the base unit, you will probably want the skew sharpening attachment and possibly one of the versions of the vari-grind for sharpening fingernail grind gouges.

does it seem pricey? yes.
does it seem pricey compared to a couple feet of extruded aluminum for the 520 tables rails? not to me. I consider the Wolverine system to be money well-spent.

whether you buy something like the wolverine or build your own, do not skip making the set-up jigs: a precision-length stick for repeatedly setting the distance between the wheel and the socket (remember that the wheel gets smaller as it wears) and the block(s) of wood with the drilled hole that let you repeatedly set-up the fingernail grind.

paulrussell · Post by **paulrussell** » Sat May 01, 2010 2:27 pm

iclark wrote:does it seem pricey? yes.
does it seem pricey compared to a couple feet of extruded aluminum for the 520 tables rails? not to me. I consider the Wolverine system to be money well-spent.

Try as I might I could not justify $89 for the Wolverine. Only an idiot would pay $89 for a few scraps of metal. So instead I bought it today for $80 at Woodcraft. (Got 10% off cuz today is my birthday.)
Clearly the Wolverine at $80 is both a terrific value and a smart buy. I pity the fools who frittered away that $9 that marks the difference between an overpriced luxury and an exceptional value.
;-)

(in case it isn't clear, the above is fully tongue-in-cheek)