sharpening

[tom1952]

What do you use to sharpen your tools?
I am at the point where I am ready to invest some $ in sharpening equipment. What are some of the options? waterstones, power sharpeners what?
Need some help here folks.

[Claude]

I'd suggest spending some time reading the various threads right here in the Tools, Technology & Sharpening forum - there are probably hundreds of opinions here about the different machines, processes, etc.

Claude

<edit> make that thousands of opinions...</edit>

[Mitchell]

Claude is correct....

See the list under "Similar Threads" below for some previous discussions.

If you have a specific question about someone's sharpening system, it may be easier to open up one of the older threads.

[Clifford_Parker]

Tom,

I use stones and a strop for my tools. I use a dual grit whetstone for setting or re-grinding an edge a translucent Arkansas stone for honing and touching up knives and tools, and a strop with black emery compound for finishing and polishing.

Sharpening

[TreeWizard]

I've tried a few different methods, but to be honest I'm not very good at it. I do fine with flat stuff like knifes but when it comes to my gouges, I send them to Rich at Little Shavers. I can keep them sharp with a strop but when they get beyond that, I'm lost.

They come back in about 1 week sharper than I ever could get ever get them. At $2 each, I figure I'd never in my lifetime break even buying a machine for several hundered $'s.

[James A]

I use a Smith tri-hone that I got at Lowes for $20 and a buffing wheel I have put on a drill that is tied down to a table. This is effective and farely inexpensive. I used an old drill I don't use very much, and rope to hold it down. I use a C-clamp to adjust the speed, and all costs hundreds less than a sharpening machine.

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

I am with Treewizard, I use Rick at Little Shavers Wood Carving Supply , $2.00 per tool, quick turn around, tools come back sharper then brand new.

Dave

[morganwoodcarver]

Diamond bench stone for sharpening, Flexcut slip-strop for fine tuning, i have a buffing wheel and leather strop. Its what you feel comfortable with, take your time and you will get the hang of it.

[FK]

Everyone has their own preferred method of sharpening, they all work with carefull application of basic principles.

Mine is diamond hones from DMT for the initial angle setting, waterstones for refining the edge and hard leather strop with CrO or Yellowstone compound.

I have belt grinders and grinding wheels and a rotary table with diamond disks (240 rpm) but much preferr the hand sharpening methods for smaller woodcarving tools.

Regards,
FK