Planer knife sharpening jig

[reubenjames]

I ordered a 4th edition copy of Power Tool Woodworking For Everyone (PTWFE) this week, to supplement the Revised edition I also own. I was interested in some of the newer SPT elements in there, but I was disappointed to find out what many others have discovered--which is that a number of good jigs were left out of later editions of the book (some for commercial reasons--they were now selling a jig for it--and likely some for safety reasons). I think the draft lamp holder jig can be found in some bandsaw manuals, but was removed from PWTFE in 4th edition. In particular, however, there were a lot of good sharpening jigs in the Revised edition, and the 4th edition just walks through their sharpening guide (although that is useful if you own it).

What I was really trying to hunt down was a memory of a planer knife sharpening jig. I think I found what I was actually remembering, which was a jointer knife sharpening jig from the WoodshopTips:

http://www.woodshoptips.com/tips/052404/index.htm

Could this same jig concept be expanded for the planer knifes, though? Any big drawbacks to this method versus their jig with the conical sander? Better jig ideas than this?

[dusty]

Is this what you are looking for. http://www.shopsmith.com/ownersite/cata ... rpener.htm It works well with either a planer blade or a set of 3 jointer blades.

[reubenjames]

I was looking for a less than $75 way to do the same thing. Hence, I was wondering if anyone had made a jig similar to the jointer knife jig shown in the WoodshopTips article, or had perhaps made one of their own devising, that they were happy with.

[dusty]

There are at least a couple people here on the forum who have made these and to the best of my knowledge are using them. I, however, prefer the one that was shown in the link I posted.

The one in the link does require that you also invest in the conical disk so it is not inexpensive.

[jsburger]

I ordered a 4th edition copy of Power Tool Woodworking For Everyone (PTWFE) this week, to supplement the Revised edition I also own. I was interested in some of the newer SPT elements in there, but I was disappointed to find out what many others have discovered--which is that a number of good jigs were left out of later editions of the book (some for commercial reasons--they were now selling a jig for it--and likely some for safety reasons). I think the draft lamp holder jig can be found in some bandsaw manuals, but was removed from PWTFE in 4th edition. In particular, however, there were a lot of good sharpening jigs in the Revised edition, and the 4th edition just walks through their sharpening guide (although that is useful if you own it).

What I was really trying to hunt down was a memory of a planer knife sharpening jig. I think I found what I was actually remembering, which was a jointer knife sharpening jig from the WoodshopTips:

http://www.woodshoptips.com/tips/052404/index.htm

Could this same jig concept be expanded for the planer knifes, though? Any big drawbacks to this method versus their jig with the conical sander? Better jig ideas than this?

There is no reason I see that you could not do the same thing for planer blades. You would just need to make the jig longer to hold the blade.

Having said that, given the availability of the SS jig and conical sanding disk that is what I would go with. The precision of the extruded aluminum SS jig is much greater than a piece of wood. With the home made jig and angling the fence you are only touching the disk at the very outer edge. The sand paper will ware out very fast. To take more than one pass if needed you must move the fence or the quill a VERY small amount. Hard to do.

With the conical sanding disk the entire surface can be used by setting the table height differently and adjusting the fence accordingly. To make a second pass you don't adjust the fence you lower the table. Yes I know, lowering the table a VERY small amount is hard. However, if you have the SS adjustable stop collar it is a piece of cake.

IMHO the SS sharpening jig and conical sanding disk work perfectly. It takes longer to remove and reinstall the blades than it does to sharpen them.

[reubenjames]

Thanks, Dusty. I'll see if I can search around for others here who have mentioned it, or if they find their way to this post.

I have heard only good things about the one from the MS, and I *do* already own a conical disc (though I need to pick up some abrasives for it), so that part isn't a barrier for me here. I've just been spending too much $$ lately, as it is.

Speaking of conical disc sanding--are those discs essentially 12" discs with a particular size diameter removed from the center, with a small wedge on the remaining ring removed to fit on the conical disc? Does anybody have a pattern or measurements for making your own out of 12" disc abrasives?

[reubenjames]

Thanks, John. You may all yet convince me to buy one more thing!

[jsburger]

There are at least a couple people here on the forum who have made these and to the best of my knowledge are using them. I, however, prefer the one that was shown in the link I posted.

The one in the link does require that you also invest in the conical disk so it is not inexpensive.

I totally agree Dusty. To me the conical sanding disk is an extra cost but it can also be used for other things so is it really extra? Same with the adjustable stop collar I mentioned. I think it is needed but it too is useful for many other things also.

[jsburger]

Thanks, Dusty. I'll see if I can search around for others here who have mentioned it, or if they find their way to this post.

I have heard only good things about the one from the MS, and I *do* already own a conical disc (though I need to pick up some abrasives for it), so that part isn't a barrier for me here. I've just been spending too much $$ lately, as it is.

Speaking of conical disc sanding--are those discs essentially 12" discs with a particular size diameter removed from the center, with a small wedge on the remaining ring removed to fit on the conical disc? Does anybody have a pattern or measurements for making your own out of 12" disc abrasives?

That is pretty much it. The circle cut out is 2 3/4". The cut across the remaining sand paper is tangential to the inner circle and not perpendicular. Should be very easy to make from 12" disks.

Also, if you already own a conical disk the SS sharpening jig is a no brainer.

[JPG]

http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/viewt ... 390#p77390