SS sharpening apparatus

[swampgator]

Today I ordered this kit. I am doing this backwards as I should have asked the professional community first. But, alas, I ordered and then ask questions. I am wondering if anyone has this kit and how you like it. Also, what did you have to do to tweak it where it gave excellent results?

http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... lguard.htm

I am hoping that I can do a better job with this to sharpen my lathe chisels and other flat chisels. I have been free handing, but I am not confident that I am doing that well with putting the edge on the right angle. With two machines, I can use one for sharpening and the other for the lathe. Well, that's what I tell the wife to justify both machines.

[robinson46176]

Well, that's what I tell the wife to justify both machines.

Would any of us do that?

.

[wa2crk]

Gator
I am not a fan of systems that tie up my main machine. I wish I had the money back that I paid for sharpening systems that did not work out or that were just plain ineffective. I like turning and I settled on the Rikon low speed (1725)RPM grinder with the Oneway Wolverine system for most of my lathe chisels. For drill bits I have a Drill Doctor.
To use the SS system I would have to break down any setup in order to use it.
I hope that my comments will help you save a few bucks.
Bill V

[reubenjames]

Hey Gator,

After reading through a lot of the old forums here on sharpening, I decided to get the strip sander with the sharpening jig, which is also on special at ShopSmith until midnight tonight! I don't worry about tying up my main machine, like Bill, as I have other machines to put the strip sander (or the grinding wheel, if I had it) on. I didn't pick up the grinder wheel on special this week as I already have a bench grinder, but my concern would be sharpening things that need to be very sharp--like chisels and planes--on a grinder like that. The grit package is very aggressive--36, 60, and 100. Those are fine if you are needing to grind a new edge (though I probably wouldn't use coarser than the 100 for something like a chisel or plane, personally), but they won't get very sharp for woodworking--they still need to be honed. I have more mowers than I care to admit, and it would be perfect for cleaning up and sharpening those blades, and other lawn tools, etc.

Another ShopSmith offering, the sharpening guide, which is shown used with the disc sander (though I believe it can be used with any of the sanding SPTs) seems to get mixed reviews, and none of them seem to be head-over-heels with it.

There are a lot of people who seem to swear by the strip sander system, though, as being one of the best sharpening systems out there. An older post from Nick Engler even highly touted its capabilities. I'd been waiting for it to go on special and it finally did this week. I realize $336 is a lot different than $145, but I don't want there to be an expectation about what the grinding wheel can and can't do, at least given what is included in the kit on special, in terms of getting woodworking hand tools to be razor sharp.

Just my two cents. Sharpening is very personal. Here is a video of Nick using the Strip Sander and chisel sharpening jig. You'll see he goes up to 600 grit on the sanding belts and then strops with leather and a compound:
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzEOM1DgUeg[/youtube]

[benush26]

Sorry, no advise about how to adapt that wheel (or any other) or tricks of the trade. I have finally landed on the Tormek T-7 after trying way too many methods.

My purpose in adding to this thread is to emphasize one concept, honing. If you are already honing, then disregard this.

I've recently added "attempted carving" as compared to "actual looks like something" carving to my addiction . Those chisels need to be very sharp. I've purchased the jigs needed to sharpen all my various chisels. The Tormek has a leather honing wheel so as a consequence, I now strop every chisel. The change to my lathe turning using gouges has been noticeable. Fewer trips to the system for touch ups. No real time on planes to know if they stay sharp longer, but presume some improvement.

Anyway, if you are not yet honing, adding some form of honing; leather strop, diamond, etc. that uses your selected method, I think you will get more out of what ever method you choose

Just my 2 cents.

Be well,
Ben

[ChrisNeilan]

I also own a Tormek, but only use it to sharpen skews,wood chisels and plane blades. I use a slow speed grinder and a Wolverine system for all other lathe tools. Since I am mainly a lathe person that means the Tormek almost never gets used! I prefer the burr left with my grinder. All sharpening systems work. Finding the one that works best for you is the issue. Trial and error (spending money) will find you your answer! Good luck!

[swampgator]

First, thank all of you for your input. It is valuable to me. I do have a high speed grinder, but I don't wish to remove the temper from the edge. I may have been money ahead by purchasing a slow speed bench grinder. What I have been using is a slow speed white wheel on the other SS and using a tool rest to set my angle and free handing from there. It does a great job turning at 750 rpm. Once in awhile, when I hit hard places in wood (limb stumps)I get a little nick in the edge which I wish to correct. I am hoping that this will help guide my hands until I can afford a slow speed grinder.

Francis, I totally agree. Sometimes, a hard sell, but give it the old college try.

Bill, I agree tying up the machine while sharpening, that's reason for another machine and a shorty is sounding better all the time. LOL

Chris, I really appreciate what you said. I hope I don't go broke trying to find out what works best for me.

Alec, you taught me much about that strip sander. I considered the guide of SS with the disk, but since I use Velcro sanding disk and JPG has made numerous posts about it being too soft, I pass that one by. What I did not realize is that the belt is traveling away from the chisel edge. Now, the leather strap traveling from the chisel edge makes sense since that is the way the old barbers used to do it. And, I had not seen that video before. Thank you for that and all your input.

All - you have taught me more than I had thought through until now. Maybe, the new direction will be right and lead me to sharper tools and better turning. I've done some fun stuff with cherry, but pine is still a challenge to me. Will continue to grow after I get this new fence completed at the rental house. Thank you for your guidance.

Steve, the old gator

[reubenjames]

Steve,

Good luck and I hope it works out for you. I am in a similar situation--I've done all my sharpening (unless I'm grinding a new edge) on Norton water stones with some jigs for my hand chisels and plane irons, but as I am wanting to get into lathe work, I wanted another solution for some of those unique profiles. I also am not ashamed to admit sometimes my hand chisels and plane irons don't get honed as well as I would like, and I know that is user error. So I'm not expecting a different system to fix that, but hoping this system will at least fill all my current needs and that I will find myself satisfied enough with the results to take the necessary time with it to do a good job each time. Water stones can be kind of a messy pain in rear sometimes, and I know that contributes to my being lazy with their use.

I'd be interested to hear updates on how this works out for you. The strip sander has not yet shipped for me, but if and when it arrives, I'll be sure to share my thoughts on it in this regard. A final note on the belt travel--like the belt sander, you can mount the strip sander on either side of the headstock; obviously your direction of rotation will change if you're on a Mark V (you could control that with a Mark 7 or PowerPro). But for the chisel sharpening attachment, Mother notes that you want to make sure and mount the sander to the Quill End of your MARK V during the chisel sharpening operation, and thus it CANNOT be used with a Strip Sander mounted on a Power Stand or Power Station.

[swampgator]

The kit shipped last night and is scheduled to be delivered tomorrow, Friday. We'll see if FedEx can find this town. Sometimes, FedEx sends my stuff to Memphis, TN, Atlanta, GA and Miami, FL as if it is the only city in Florida.

Will get it installed this weekend and do a test or two and post my comments. Maybe, money wasted and she will certainly confirm it if I make a negative remark.

Steve, the old gator

[reubenjames]

Lucky duck! Strip Sander hasn't moved yet. Who knows when he will ship.

Not like I don't have plenty to keep me busy. Keep us posted!