Shopsmith Forums

I have the SS table mounted chisel sharpening guide, is the strip sander and sharpending tool a better choice for sharpening lathe chisel?

Hi bear,
I think it is a personal preference kind of thing. For example, I think I remember Nick liking the Strip Sander method, and I remember that Rick Davis had nothing nice to say about it; Rick preferred the table mounted system.

See: http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Archives/SS110/SS110_Strip_Sander_Sharpening.htm

And: http://www.shopsmithacademy.com/SS_Archives/SS104/SS104_Sharpening_Chisles.htm

If you're going to do a lot of turning, I'd seriously recommend looking into Oneway's Wolverine sharpening jig. I know it's not a Shopsmith solution, but it can do a wonderful job on all lathe chisles.

It all depends what you are most comfortable with. I like to use the strip sander to sharpen with, but I also like the Worksharp 3000. Does a fine job with knife blades as well.

BPR

The Wolverine system with about an 80 grit aluminum oxide wheel just can't be beat for ease of use and getting the same angle every time. That's what you want when sharpening lathe chisels... repeatability.

I would agree with George about the Wolverine sharpening system. Repeatability and speed are it's best features and selling point. It is possible to touch up a gouge in less than 15 seconds including travel time to and from the grinder.
I have used the strip sander sharpening jig and it will but a finer edge on tools due to the ease of being able to quickly change to finer grits. Down side is the teardown/setup time.
Regards,
Dwight

Thanks to everyone for their input, I am leaning toward the Wolverine. Will probably add this to my Christmas list.

Has anyone looked at the Work sharp 3000 made by the same folks who make drill Dr? fjimp

fjimp wrote:Has anyone looked at the Work sharp 3000 made by the same folks who make drill Dr? fjimp

Hi JIm,

I have the Worksharp 3000 and love it. I can now sharpen my lathe tools while turning by just turning (pun intended) around and touching them up with the 3000. The only con I have about the system is you don't get enough disks (either glass or plastic) to mount all the different grades of sandpaper. The cost of those adds up but once you have them the system works very well. I just "did without" until I could buy a couple disks at a time and get as many as I wanted.

The ability to see through the plastic disks to sharpen gouges makes it possible (even for me) to put an excellent edge on them in short order.

The tool does an excellent job of flattening the backs of bench chisels. It's quick and with the slow speed of rotation you don't have much chance of overheating the steel and losing the temper. And sharpening bench chisels is a snap with this thing.

If you decide to get one I'm sure you will like it. But if you are able to use the Shopsmith sharpening jig with satisfactory results it is probably a waste of $$ for sharpening only lathe chisels.

I have the WorkSharp 3000 and like it. I would suggest getting at least two extra disks with your initial order because you will eventually get them otherwise. I use it for both bench and turning chisels as well as my pocket knife and wife's kitchen knives. The one thing that keeps me wondering is if the hair will grow back on my left arm after testing the edge of those knives and chisels.

Dick