Roll your own sharpening jig (I did it!)

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Paul Kierstead 21 years ago

So, my journey down learning-to-turn is still fun. Sharpening has been kinda ... variable would be kind. I was having some odd catches with the spindle gouge (haven't tried bowls yet) and a close examination of the edge proved to show it a disaster. I decided that free-hand sharpening was a lovely goal but I need to learn one thing at a time. Alas, money is short, beside I have resolved to quit buying gadgets and Sorby's comes in at C$115 or so. Off to search for jig plans. Ah, still one of my favorite newbie resources, Mr. Feltmate has a page on his jig:

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I will admit that "plans" is used loosely here, but still, it look so simple compared to some others I found, and highly functional. So I built one:

Basic station:

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using 1/4-20 inserts in the table top, off-set holder to work around issues with this grinder wheel. I first put it to use on a roughing gouge; results:

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pretty well; *Very* even grind. Mind you, the roughing gouge was not in that hard of shape. Still, impressively easy to use. Next up was to do a spindle gouge, a much more complex grind. First of, gotta make a holder:

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then the results:

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stuff; ok, totally awesome result. Some lessons learned:

- Those white fine grit wheels really suck for removing a lot of HSS steel. I wore a groove in it in record time. Grinding out the spindle gouge required re-truing the wheel 3 times, and I am not talking about being picky here; we are talking major tracks in the wheel. One of these days I have to get a real grinder with a hard coarse wheel on one side.

- you don't need intricate plans. this was one of my most ad-hoc things I have done and has been a hard lesson for me: Just do it!

- Home-made jigs do not have to be second class; this works amazingly well.

- If I can smack this togather out of some shop scraps, anyone can!

PK

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Leo Van Der Loo 21 years ago

Paul, DAMN you did a good job, and sharp tools and pictures, But now you can't blame your tools anymore Yes a good grinder you need, try to find a good old used (or unused ) one, let it run, feel if it runs good, and you will have a better grinder and maybe even for a steal, if you have to buy a new one get a

8" or 10" 1700rpm one. You will never regret buying the best

Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

Paul Kierstead wrote:

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Darrell Feltmate 21 years ago

Paul

Great job and thanks for the remarks on the site. You are right. One of these days I have to upgrade the sharpening page. I have the stuff ready for grinder set up and need to do some better pics for the jig, but it is so simple that anyone can do it anyway.

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Woodcut tools 2000 Ltd sales 21 years ago

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Eddie Munster 21 years ago

Nice sharpening!

I have the LV sharpener too. But I have the belt setup on the right side. Still I have something else I should get going with. You've inspired me again.

John

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Leo Van Der Loo 21 years ago

Hi Darrell

You have one off the most help full sites for all us turners, and I thank you for that, as you say its all so simple, yes when you know it's that but there are a lot of people that have made use of your straight forward advice, i made some of your angle wing and banana boat bowls, they where fun, took some as gifts for friends in holland, and were well received.

Have fun and take care Leo Van Der Loo

Darrell Feltmate wrote:

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Darrell Feltmate 21 years ago

Wow. I am flattered and a bit embarrassed. All I did for my jig was to look at the old Ellsworth jig ideas before he got them pre-made, stare at a couple of commercial models, and picture the end of a gouge moving inside a projected cone. Then I built what would work. This is cool.

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Roll your own sharpening jig (I did it!)

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