Shopsmith Forums

joedw00 wrote:Is there any way you could post a picture? I was born in Missouri, so I need to be shown. I have tried and tried to use the SS sharpening system, but just can not get it.
Thanks

Joe, I am for sure with you. This sharpening jig looks like a great tool, I just have not been able to figure it out. I stated before that it has kicked my B---and i truely mean that it has.
Have you ever watched the Sawdust Session on this? I watched it several times the other evening and when I get back home today I am going to try using it the way Nick shows.
When I mount it on the extension table and set it to suggested degree settings it just does not work correct for me. My angles are completely off and no where close to what the tool came with.
I know others are using this tool with success and I would also like to do that. I now have a mind set that I will figure this out, it just may take me a while to do it, but I am determined to do so.
Any and all suggestion are appreciated. Sounds like I am not the only one having problems with this.

Yes I have watched the Sawdust Session, and still can't figure it out. I have not tried it for a long time.

Part of the problem that you are experiencing may be that your are unaware of a simple fact..
You mention that the "angles" are no where near your turning tools. If you have SS Turning tools. They basically come unsharpened, and the angles are different!
Using the angles given by the TA, the first time using the sharpening guide is a "re-shaping" session. You are grinding your tools to a new angle, and from that point, you only touch up your new sharp edge when necessary.
We still need more info to help you as far as other problems that you may be having.

Let us know!

John
FlashbacPT

[quote="flashbacpt"]
You mention that the "angles" are no where near your turning tools. If you have SS Turning tools. They basically come unsharpened, and the angles are different!

I noticed this immediately when I first tried to use the SS sharpening jig. After watching Nick's video, watching many other youtube clips, and reviewing my notes from the TA years ago, I decided with some degree of certainty that I would have to sand off considerable steel from my lathe tool set. I think the SS gouge came out of the box at about 5 degrees, and TA said sharpen to about 30 degrees. I find the jig works well on the main table with the headstock to the left. I just purchased the disc set offered on the web with anticipation of using a sheet of 600 grit rectangle paper (as shown in Nick's clip) to finish off the sharpening process. If I ever do more extensive lathe work I would probably opt for a stand alone sharpening system, as changing setups is time consuming. For me, now, the SS sharpening system using the jig and discs works well.

Hi Guys
I have the sharpening system also and I find that that there is definitely a learning curve involved in using it.
I have reshaped my lathe chisels and also some bench chisels using the guide. I first used it mounted to a board on the extension table but then switched to using the main table. One mistake I made was to try to hold the chisel steady and move the sanding disk into the tool. This caused too much pressure on the chisel and the chisel moved and changed the angle.
I moved the jig to the main table and made the disc stationary and advanced the chisel into the disc with much better results. I sharpened a bunch of bench chisels that my Father in Law had that looked to have been used to open paint cans and I successfully restored the cutting edges.
When using the jig with the Traveling Academy recommended angle settings I compared my results to a gauge that is in Keith Rowley's book " A fundamental lathe turning " and the angles were dead on.
Someone mentioned that short bladed chisels were a problem and I also found that to be true.
I asked one of the TA instructers if the jig could be used with the 6 X 48 belt sander with a silicon carbide paper and he said that he did not see why not.
I recently bought the Grizzly sharpening system that looks like a Tormek and I got superior results on the skew chisel but have a bit of trouble with the gouges. The learning curve thing again. It sure is funny how the learning curve gets longer when one gets older!!!
Bil V

Bill V, I understand what you mean about the learning curve being longer the older I get. I spent probably another 2 hours working with the Sharpening Jig on Saturday. Moved it to the main table and got better results on that side but still not overly happy with results. Have not gave up will keep working with it and hope to like it someday. I also have the strip sander so maybe I will have to go to that one. If I were to add up all the time I have invested in trying to sharpen with this jig I would probably be embarrased, but at least I work cheap..

Bob - thought I'd throw this in - although it has been mentioned earlier;

I see you have a belt sander. That is the only machine I use with the sharpening guide. I have a fine grit belt that is used almost exclusively when sharpening the lathe tools.

The guide fits into the miter slot on the belt sharpener table. Yes, the back end of the jig protrudes a little from that table but still it can be secured without any issues. If the jig is totally on the table, only the far side of a belt will be used.

charlese wrote:Bob - thought I'd throw this in - although it has been mentioned earlier]only machine [/U]I use with the sharpening guide. I have a fine grit belt that is used almost exclusively when sharpening the lathe tools.


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Chuck are you suggesting "Belt Sander" or "Strip Sander?" Jim

fjimp wrote:Chuck are you suggesting "Belt Sander" or "Strip Sander?" Jim

A 'clue' - The strip sander table does NOT have a miter gauge 'slot'.

JPG40504 wrote:A 'clue' - The strip sander table does NOT have a miter gauge 'slot'.

Gosh you are so smart. I asked the question due to a prior discussion regarding which was better. Clearly now I know you know the answers thank you for setting me straight.