Shopsmith Forums

navycop wrote:There was picture of a grinding wheel hooked up to the main spinal. He was using it to sharpen the chisel.
My question to you veterans: Is this do able? It would save me from buying a grinder after I bought my chisels. I just didn't know if the SS went slow enough to not yank the chisel from your hand.

I have a grinding wheel and attachment for the SS. I have used it to sharpen chisels, it is not my favorite as the tool rest, though larger than most, is still too small for me to accurately sharpen with. I tried adding a hardboard overlay and that worked OK, but I still didn't love it.
Since the Shopsmith can be dialed down to 700 rpm. Heating is reduced. Compare that to most grinders at 3400 rpm and most slow grinders at 1700.
Only some of the very expensive models go slower than the SS.
That said, having watched some Richard Raffan turning videos, near freehand sharpening would be very practical on the SS. The way that would be best, would be a way to hook the grinder to the top output shaft on the left side, so that all you would have to do would be a step to the left and to put something over the way tubes to keep the grindings off the way tubes.

Hi, Jim and Bob - I have had the same issue concerning the tool rest, as Jim noted. The tool rest is just too small and also has a little swayback. After trying to attach plastic flats to the tool rest, I finally gave up. However after finding the Veritas "grinding jig" I ordered one. Haven't yet used it, but I'm sure it will work. The bottom of the jig has two bars that can ride on the SS grinder's too rest. http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx ... 3072,45938

The guard will also flip to either side of the headstock so you can have the wheel turning either up or down. (down for grinding or up for honing) There are two tool rests on the guard. They are very adjustable. My only issue has been the relatively small size of the rests and the slight swale in both. I am confident the Veritas jig will cure both of these issues. http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... lguard.htm

Concerning the left hand mount - Bob is correct - there is no place to mount the grinding wheel guard on the auxillary side of the headstock. Sorry!- I origionally posted - in error - the guard would fit on either side of the headstock. Just wasn't thinking!! That mistake is now fixed - hope no one was led astray! Sorry!

P.S. Using the standard tool rest all of my bench chisels have a double concave grind. I have been able to hone to make very sharp chisels with a secondary bevel, but with the Veritas jig, I plan to have all chisels with only one, smooth, concave grind with a secondary honed edge.

You want to hear (read) something funny? I asked my co worker if he had any lathe chiesles. He runs his own home fixing business. He told me that anything sharp would work (i.e. wood chiesl, screwdriver, ect.).

navycop wrote:You want to hear (read) something funny? I asked my co worker if he had any lathe chiesles. He runs his own home fixing business. He told me that anything sharp would work (i.e. wood chiesl, screwdriver, ect.).

It sounds like your friend is an accident looking for a place to happen.

navycop wrote:He told me that anything sharp would work (i.e. wood chiesl, screwdriver, ect.).

sounds like he might have a sharp wit - or at least a sharp tongue.

navycop wrote:You want to hear (read) something funny? I asked my co worker if he had any lathe chiesles. He runs his own home fixing business. He told me that anything sharp would work (i.e. wood chiesl, screwdriver, ect.).

A sharp screwdriver??? Your co-worker has a strange set of tools!!!

navycop wrote:You want to hear (read) something funny? I asked my co worker if he had any lathe chiesles. He runs his own home fixing business. He told me that anything sharp would work (i.e. wood chiesl, screwdriver, ect.).

actually that is not at all uncommon nor is it dangerous if used properly. there is a fellow by the name of "Del Stubbs" who is a better turner than i'll ever be. he goes into detail about such types of tools including his first gouge that was homemade from a piece of water pipe. technique makes the turner, not his tools. check out his video and learn.

My father used to quip that any tool is a hammer. Guess with extrapolation any flat tool can be a chisel.

kalynzoo wrote:My father used to quip that any tool is a hammer. Guess with extrapolation any flat tool can be a chisel.

I've also been told when all you have is a hammer, everything begins to look like a nail...