Shopsmith Forums

I've seen a few posts regarding the value of the conical sander and the Sharpener assembly for planer/jointer knives, but they are all several years old.

I'm trying to make the most economical choice to get my blades up-to-par. I inherited the ShopSmith, and the blades need some love.

I have a local place that can sharpen for me, but if I can save the money in the long run by purchasing the conical sanding disc and sharpening attachment, I'd do that.

What think you, oh experts of all things ShopSmith?

sawdustdan wrote:I've seen a few posts regarding the value of the conical sander and the Sharpener assembly for planer/jointer knives, but they are all several years old.

I'm trying to make the most economical choice to get my blades up-to-par. I inherited the ShopSmith, and the blades need some love.

I have a local place that can sharpen for me, but if I can save the money in the long run by purchasing the conical sanding disc and sharpening attachment, I'd do that.

What think you, oh experts of all things ShopSmith?

For me, the conical sanding disc is one of Shopsmith's really great attachments. The additional ability to use it for sharpening jointer and planer knives made it a no brainer for me.

After using both the flat disk sander and the conical disk, I can most heartily recommend the conical disk.

You will destroy the temper much less with it!!!!:)

Having a good blade holder is needed either way. They are easily made.

The conical disk and the Planer/Jointer Sharpening jig,( http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/catalog/j_knifesharpener.htm )together are super tools for cleaning up and sharpening both jointer or planer knives. I've found it is also possible to sharpen the knives for my DeWalt 13" planer.

You'll need both the disk and the jig. In my opinion - well worth the price.

I look at the conical disc and the nice blade holder and think that it WOULD be nice to have, but until I win and lottery (AND I WILL WIN IT!!:p ) I look for cheaper alternatives.

I bought a piece of tempered glass, a blade holder (recently bought the metal one on sale through Peachtree, though a wooden one is easily made) and abrasives.

I had a local shop do the initial grind on my jointer blades (not yet in need of the planer blades) and have kept them darned sharp by honing on the plate.

I'll use the same set up on the hand chisels and hand plane blades, so it will help save money until I can get better equipment.

I don't think what I have works as well as the conical sander and aluminum holder nor is it as fast, but it an alternative for now.

Just so you know, the local shop charged $17 to get the jointer blades SHARP

Nothing wrong with the glass (I use a spare marble tile left over from a reno) and sandpaper method for honing. It is miserable for shaping the edges though (DAMHIKT)

Wow - a lot of awesome feedback. Thank you!

My local sharpening company charges $0.55 per inch. So my two sets of planer blades and one set of jointer blades would cost $49.50. The conical sander and sharpening attachment cost $145.00+tax+shipping.

So the math says I would pay for the new equipment in three sharpenings. And that excludes the other uses for the conical sander.

Now...how to convince the wife that this purchase is acceptable.

Thanks again for the input, folks!

Dan

Charlese wrote:
"I've found it is also possible to sharpen the knives for my DeWalt 13" planer."

I have recently added the 13" DeWalt planer to my shop. Bought it lightly used with an extra set of used blades. Works great.
Instructions say to replace blades, do not sharpen. Any problems if they are sharpened? I Have the SS sharpening jig and the conical disc, but have not sharpened anything yet.

What "tricks" should I know before sharpening any blades?

Thanks

Bill

Dan

When you sharpen them yourself, you control the amount of material turned into pretty sparks.

It is the making of the blades too small that makes that relevant, and probably the reason for the 'do not sharpen' instruction.

.55/inch is very reasonable!!! $6.60 for jointer blades = wow $19.80 for planer knives = WOW.

Billdit wrote:Charlese wrote:
"I've found it is also possible to sharpen the knives for my DeWalt 13" planer."

I have recently added the 13" DeWalt planer to my shop. Bought it lightly used with an extra set of used blades. Works great.
Instructions say to replace blades, do not sharpen. Any problems if they are sharpened? I Have the SS sharpening jig and the conical disc, but have not sharpened anything yet.

What "tricks" should I know before sharpening any blades?

Thanks

Hi Bill! Yes, there was a little adjustment I had to use so the DeWalt blades were held in the proper position in the jig.

First, got some smaller spring washers as the ones coming with the jig were large enough to touch the blades.

Second, I used a thin (about 1/16") thick by about 1/2" wide to use as a shim in the jig above the blades.

I was afraid of removing enough blade material that the thickness of wood might be a little thicker than indicated on the planer, but even with the mounting posts, there was no change. The planer works excellently with the sharpened blades. I have yet to try a second sharpening.

There is an old post where I discussed the sharpening in more detail. If I can find it, I'll post it again.

Edit - Here is the first thread on the subject (back in 2008)- https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=1617&highlight=blade+sharpening

Here is the second thread - (Note! The earlier thread is refered to in post #3.) but this thread may contain a few more details. https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=2654&highlight=DeWalt+planer

Best Wishes!