Any tips for honing 12" planer blades?

justsomeguy · Post by **justsomeguy** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 3:02 pm

So - I was working away on my inherited planer on some red oak and I noticed that the blades really weren't cutting very well at all.

The blades need sharpening. I took 'em out of the cutter head with only a little swearing at some stuck set screws but now I have to decide if I cn sharpen them myself in the shop, or if I need to take them in to have them professionally sharpened.

They look like a straight 45 degree bevel cut.

Any suggestions on jigs or methods for sharpening these bad boys?

Thanks very much!!!

lightnin · Post by **lightnin** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 4:24 pm

Sharpening by hand

Video

Another one

Sharpening machines

Tormek <-- Expensive

Makita <-- Watch at least the first two videos here

Delta <-- The one I have works well

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 4:42 pm

justsomeguy wrote:So - I was working away on my inherited planer on some red oak and I noticed that the blades really weren't cutting very well at all.

The blades need sharpening. I took 'em out of the cutter head with only a little swearing at some stuck set screws but now I have to decide if I cn sharpen them myself in the shop, or if I need to take them in to have them professionally sharpened.

They look like a straight 45 degree bevel cut.

Any suggestions on jigs or methods for sharpening these bad boys?

Thanks very much!!!

Don't make it harder than it is! Your problem has been resolved here.

letterk · Post by **letterk** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:28 pm

dusty wrote:Don't make it harder than it is! Your problem has been resolved here.

Yes, $130 and shipping and that solves your problem. I made a copy of the Deulen jig. Take a scrap of wood, cut two 45 angles so you blade sticks out like an upside down V and run through several grits of sand paper.

Rotate out one blade when you done 50% of your sharpening with that grit. Example: blades 1/2, 1/3, 2/3.

I can make a homemade jig in minutes.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=31167

Updated with better link to show jig.

pennview · Post by **pennview** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:51 pm

Here's another option for sharpening jointer or planer knives -- http://deulentools.com/ -- and it's likely that one could easily diy a similar set-up. The video explains the jig.

letterk · Post by **letterk** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:13 pm

pennview wrote:Here's another option for sharpening jointer or planer knives -- http://deulentools.com/ -- and it's likely that one could easily diy a similar set-up. The video explains the jig.

What he said...or what I said...I guess they are the same

.

I've been playing around with it because it is a really simple method and as long as the slots you cut are pretty tight you'll get a 45 degree angle. Cut the block long so you can trim off any ends that might not be straight. Cut long enough and you can create a jig for jointer blades too.

justsomeguy · Post by **justsomeguy** » Thu Aug 23, 2012 11:07 am

Great - thanks very much everyone for your advice!!!

It is much appreciated. Hopefully will get some time to have a go at a sharpening jig this weekend.

Cheers!

heathicus · Post by **heathicus** » Thu Aug 23, 2012 1:00 pm

Great jig! Thanks for the tip!