Shopsmith Forums

I just purchased the chisel sharpening guide(555204)for my Mark V. The label on the guide says the grinding surface should rotate away from the tool edge being sharpened. The power head only rotates one direction, into the tool edge. The YouTube videos showing how to use the tool also use the Mark V power head and rotate into the tool edge. So does it really make a difference which way the grinding surface rotates?
Thanks,
Doug

I've never sharpened much on any of my SS's just because I have other tools at hand but I can tell you that if you want the disk coming toward the tool raise the table well above center. If you want the disk going away drop the table well below center. The turning guys can tell you all manner of tricks. I am not a frequent turner, a situation I hope to rectify this winter.


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curious as to the grit you are using , most sharpening I do is done with 800 grit or higher , the paper is placed wet on a piece of flat marble and than stropped on leather , if you want to grind the angle on chisel thats different . there are systems out there that use a wet wheel that work very well . if you get the edge too hot it wont hold up . here is a video on the SS ,JMO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTF9vJkddHk and a video with Doug https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlT_bNTnBUw

DougD wrote:I just purchased the chisel sharpening guide(555204)for my Mark V. The label on the guide says the grinding surface should rotate away from the tool edge being sharpened. The power head only rotates one direction, into the tool edge. The YouTube videos showing how to use the tool also use the Mark V power head and rotate into the tool edge. So does it really make a difference which way the grinding surface rotates?
Thanks,
Doug

It has been some years now since I last used mine but as I recall some operations are done on the main table and others off the fixed extension table. In either case the sanding disk will be rotating down to the front side and that is all you need. So long as the sparks are going down you will be fine.

You can also use the guide with the belt and strip sanders but I have no experience with that.

You want to use the aluminum oxide disks and never use the Velcro version. I've forgotten the grits but perhaps 120 for heavy damaged or reshaping and then 220/240 for the next step, and then up to say 600 but I seem to recall you can't get them from shopsmith. Anything above 600 is more a polishing then grinding operation and again you would have to get them from other sources.

Run as slow as you can and if there are any signs of heating have some water to dunk the tool in to keep it cool.

The other issue you may find is that bench chisels come in different length and some will be too short to sharpen, I have a set that I know doesn't work.

Hope this answers your questions, if not try again.

Ed

Thank you all for the responses.
Doug

You did not say if you bought it new or used so my question, Did you get the instructions with it? I found them helpful when I first started using the guide. It has information on sharpening for shearing, cutting or scraping. This guide will help you get a nice even finish on the basic chisel set. Much easier than sharpening them without the guide. I only used mine on the main table with the sanding disk. I never attached it to the extension table or used it with the Belt or Strip Sanders. Since I have a Strip Sander now I use the Chisel Sharpening Attachment for the Strip Sander.

Hi Russ,
I bought the guide new which included instructions and use it on the main table. The conflict is the label on the guide states the grinding surface should rotate away from the tool edge and the power head only rotates into the tool edge. Youtube videos also show the rotation into the tool edge. So the guide may only work the most efficiently with the Mark 7 power head which has reverse.
Doug

I gave mine away and don't miss it. I use a slow speed grinder (170 RPS) CBN wheels and the Oneway Wolverine system. Never looked back.

As Ed said above

It has been some years now since I last used mine but as I recall some operations are done on the main table and others off the fixed extension table. In either case the sanding disk will be rotating down to the front side and that is all you need. So long as the sparks are going down you will be fine.

I used mine on my Mark V 520 that way before I upgraded it to a Mark 7. Use a slow speed, light pressure to avoid gouging the disk, keep water handy for cooling and as Ed said keep the sparks going down. If the sparks are going down you are grinding across the chisel face. Lastly don't forget to protect the Way and Bench Tubes.