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How to Sharpen Stanley 28 /29 Corner Rounding Tools?

br549

I recently purchased a pair of Stanley 28 / 29 Corner Rounding Tools and was wondering if anyone has any instructions or information on the best way to sharpen them. I've tried contacting Stanley and they have nothing.

My first thought is to wrap some fine grit sandpaper (starting with 220 or so) wrapped around 1/8", 1/4", 1/2" and 3/4" dowels and make light passes.

After posting this question, I next tried Google and that led me to Amazon and this set: which unless someone has a better idea, I may give them a try.

Stanley 28.jpg

Stanley 29.jpg

edflorence

I think you are on the right track with the sandpaper idea. I would definitely try that first. You might also look for a slip stone. I have an old hard arkansas slip with two different radii that works well for the concave inner surfaces of gouges and something like that could also work for your rounding tools.

I just checked on line and was amazed to see that those little slip stones are going for almost $40 these days :eek: The sharpening cylinders you found might be a more economical solution if the sandpaper doesn't pan out.

br549

I decided to try the sandpaper method first. I didn't have dowels that were a close enough fit, so used the tools themselves to round over some edges on a piece of cedar, then wrapped 280, 320, and 400 grit sandpaper over the edges and gave end each 10 strokes with each grit. Not perfect, but definitely sharper than they were.

I notice in the pictures that the outer sides of the oval shapes are eased a bit after sharpening, which may be because of human error of not pushing or pulling the tool uniformly side to side. But, I also noticed before sharpening that the tool would leave a slight impression in the workpiece where that outer edge contacted the wood, so maybe that will now be lessened.

1-16 before and after.jpg

1-8 before and after.jpg

1-4 before and after.jpg

3-8 before and after.jpg

edflorence

Very clever idea to use the tools themselves to create the correct shape for the sharpening tool. Also, I am impressed with how clearly your photographs show the process and the results. Question: did you do anything to the inside of the cutting edges? I am guessing that a few strokes with the sandpaper on the inside might be like flattening the back of a chisel.

br549

When I first got the tools, I tried each size out on the piece of cedar to see how well they worked. Just dawned on me today that the sample piece might make a good guide for sharpening. I ran each size over its corner several times to be sure the radii were all cutting to their maximum. Only cut into the sandpaper very slightly once. No, I didn't do anything on the backside of the cutting edges, but could feel a very slight burr. All 4 ends seem to be close to same as far as diameter of the curve, so finding a dowel with that diameter and wrapping it with same light sandpaper will be next.