What do you think about this grinder for sharpener (and honer, I think) I am presently using an 8" high speed pedestal grinder, which seems a little too aggressive for my amateur eyeballing skills.
I'll have an opportunity this week, and am seriously considering bringing one home with me.
I respect (most of) the advise I've read here over many years.
Old Chief Lynn
I hate it when I have to respond to my own post, but I did go for the Grizzly sharpener, and will report later this fall when the weather turns evil enough to get back inside and sidle up to the lathe.
Old Chief Lynn
Anything to report?
Not much yet. It is still in the box. I didn't get any feedback here, but have been reading on-line, and have decided that the water wheel grinder is what I want and need, but now need to make or buy accessories to shape and hone bowl gouges. That is my aim. I'll report here in a few days. Priority project is getting my antique "hobby" metal turning lathe restored and running. Might be able to use that lathe to clone a "Tormek" style grinding jig. When I hand sharpened one of my el-cheapo bowl gouges, it was so cool! But it took half an hour, and only lasted less than half an hour on the lathe. Shesh!
Old Chief Lynn
That's why I use a Grizzly 1" belt sander to sharpen mine. Takes 10 seconds, turns for just as long. I never hone. It may not shave, but I have a razor. And it cuts wood just as good as the high priced spread.
Hey, maybe that's another thing MY Grizzly 1" belt sander could do. I had thought about figuring out how to run that belt in reverse so I wouldn't have to stand on my head to sharpen a chistle. I have used my 4" Grizzly belt sander for sharpening with some success, but I am neither a good sharpener nor wood turner, so I need all the help I can muster. Thanks, G.W.R., I always enjoy reading your contributions here.
Old Chief Lynn .
I cut a template block with the 4 most used angles. Just loosen the table tilt, hold the block on the table and tilt it to where the belt is aligned with the end of the block. I usually turn with a fingernail grind on my bowl gouges. Just lay it on the table, starting with the left side and swing it around to the right side. I used to hone out the burr (it is tiny) but learned that the first cut knocks it off. I will hone the inside a swipe or two when starting a finishing cut.
I had a turner visit my shop touting his tormek. Watching him turn on a bowl, he held the gouge horizontal and perpendicular to the wood. He was just using it as a scraper, not shaving off the wood.
Happy turning!
LOL! No doubt he "has been turning for 50+ years"! Had a similar experience recently...
Michael Koblic, Campbell River, BC
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