Shopsmith Forums

So, I've been a woodworker for years. Had a Shopsmith for several years now.

Want to get into turning some bowls / plates. I only have the chisels that came with the Shopsmith kit. Never been used. I would assume they need sharpening before use?

What's the best way to go about doing that with these chisels?

Az
Boy,talk about a loaded question!!! There are a bunch of videos on You Tube about all aspects of turning. It would be almost impossible to tell you on this format how to sharpen tools. The American Association of Woodturners also has a large collection of videos some related to sharpening. The website is a membership site but does have a section for beginners. The sharpening system that I have settled on is the Rikon 1/2 HP grinder which comes with two of the white aluminum oxide wheels that are preferred to sharpen high speed steel tools. But, the SS tools that the company sold are not HSS but they are OK and will do an OK job. I also have the Wolverine tool sharpening guide from Oneway Manufacturing in Canada. That system works the best for me. If you are anything like me, you want to spend time turning not sharpening.
https://www.woodturner.org/default.aspx
Go slow at first. Try to find a turning group near you and get a mentor.
If you have any more questions just ask.
Bill V

Thanks for the follow-up! Not sure why, but your attached photo is upside down.

So, I am going to go out on a limb here and guess one should not use the sanding disc on the Shopsmith to sharpen the chisels, right?

I've watched several turning videos on YouTube, but none seem to really go into sharpening / maintaining the tools. I've also looked into a "Work Sharp WS3000" tool sharpening system. Gets good reviews on Amazon.

Asbrand wrote:Thanks for the follow-up! Not sure why, but your attached photo is upside down.

So, I am going to go out on a limb here and guess one should not use the sanding disc on the Shopsmith to sharpen the chisels, right?

I've watched several turning videos on YouTube, but none seem to really go into sharpening / maintaining the tools. I've also looked into a "Work Sharp WS3000" tool sharpening system. Gets good reviews on Amazon.

I am no expert on sharpening, but now that I am trying to get into woodturning more as well, I am learning. Suggestions that I have are to look into CBN wheels and low speed grinders like what Rikon has to offer (see link to forum thread below). Sharpening really opens a can of worms because there are many different techniques out there so you will have to find the style that suits you. Some prefer to free hand sharpen lathe tool chisels (using an angle marking as a reference), while others prefer a sharpening fixture of some kind that helps to set the angle.

FYI...I recently purchased the bowl turning class on The Wood Whisperer and there is a long video there from Ashley Harwood on sharpening lathe chisels free handed that is useful. I am enjoying this online class so far. You might be interested in it as well. Also, as Bill mentioned the AAW website that he posted is a great site as well.

http://www.shopsmith.com/ss_forum/viewt ... BN#p257434

https://thewoodwhispererguild.com/product/bowl-turning/

I have spent a lot of money in the past on sharpening systems. I wish I had half of it back. I tried the SS 12" disc, the SS sharpening jig and the Grizzly copy of the Tormek. I find that the Oneway Wolverine system to be the most user friendly and it also gives the most consistent results.
The work sharp system is OK but it leaves a flat bevel on the tool. A wheel leaves a slightly concave bevel which lends itself to honing with a credit card style honing card. It restores a good cutting edge without removing a lot of steel.
With the other .SS systems would require you to break down your turning setup to sharpen the tools. I would strongly suggest that you consider a stand alone sharpening station because you will have to sharpen several times during a turning. After the cutting and gluing the turning is more like icing on the cake but you will still have to sharpen during turning.
Check the AAW website for the section dedicated to new turners I am sure that there is a lot of info about sharpening
Bill V

RF Guy and others
I have the low speed 1/2 HP Rikon grinder and have just recently added the CBN wheels from woodturning wonders. They are far superior to conventional wheels. Nothing like having a $100 grinder with $200 worth of wheels.
The CBN wheels are much better balanced and they make the grinder virtually vibration free which also lends to better results.
Bill V

wa2crk wrote:RF Guy and others
I have the low speed 1/2 HP Rikon grinder and have just recently added the CBN wheels from woodturning wonders. They are far superior to conventional wheels. Nothing like having a $100 grinder with $200 worth of wheels.
The CBN wheels are much better balanced and they make the grinder virtually vibration free which also lends to better results.
Bill V

Thanks, Bill. What grit wheels do you keep on the grinder? I haven't pulled the trigger on this purchase yet, but I am about to get this. Much appreciated.

I use the belt sander with a shop made jig to hold the chisels. It gives me the best edge I have found. I use a 320 grit belt that is now quite worn so it is much finer. It is currently on a Shopsmith belt sander on a second Shopsmith but I used the same jig for many years on a 3X24 portable belt sander mounted vertically on a bench which can be had at Harbor Freight for $40. The main thing is it has to be independent of the SS you are turning on. You can’t stop the turning process, set up the SS for sharpening and then go back to the turning setup. You would never get anything done. You will be sharpening fairly frequently, especially when turning some of the harder woods. Turning is great fun as long as you have very sharp chisels. If not it is very frustrating. As far as learning there is no better way than to join a turning club. There you will learn the correct methods and much faster than trial and error. The SS chisels are fine. Yes there are much better but all that means is you may be sharpening a little more frequently. Your first turning project needs to be turning new handles for the SS chisels. For the large skew, large bowl gouge and the small gouge the handles are way too short. They need to be twice as long for better control. It makes a great first project. If you make any major purchases I strongly suggest the heavy duty chisel rest from SS. It makes the SS lathe a far better machine. Finally a word of warning about turning clubs. Every club I have belonged to has bad mouthed the SS as a lathe. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard “ if you are going to be a serious turner you need a serious lathe”. Most have never actually turned on a SS. It’s a great lathe and it’s not the tool that makes a great turner. There are some great turners on this forum who turn out world class turnings.
Paul