New Axminster Sharpening system

[Shay Vings]

This new product seems to tick all my boxes: 2 bases included like Wolverine but no need to purchase second fingernail jig for gouges over 5/8, and no need to buy extra skew holder. Also like Trugrind but includes 2 bases. Cheaper than Sorby 447 when you add in their fingernail jig.

Very comprehensive spec and very competitive price. Anybody tried it out?

 

[SVB]

I've not tried this item but it does look the business - mainly I think because whoever makes it have let others do the R&D and then they have picked the best bits and are now knocking them out without any of the overhead the other have to re-coup!

Link here for those wondering what this is all about!

Who are Storme anyway? :?

Either way, good news in the short term for the consumer - not sure about the longer term though. Cue Quashang vs LN planes debate again!

As an aside, Chas (CHJ) has posted a number of posts a while back on homemade jigs that I think will do everything this does at a fraction of the cost.

BRgds
S

 

[johnny.t.]

That looks pretty good for the money 8)

 

[duncanh]

It looks good, but the one problem I would have is the long shaft (on the right in the first photo). My grinder is up against a wall as that's the only place I have for it in my small shed. I wouldn't be able to push it in to use the fingernail jig as it would hit the back wall.
I overcame this on my homemade version that I use for roughing gouges by putting it on a hinge. When it's time to use it I lift it up and support it with a length of wood. It works pretty well and takes up virtually no space when stored.

 

[SVB]

one problem I would have is the long shaft ...... My grinder is up against a wall ........ my small shed.

Perhaps drill a hole and turn a wooden plug (with your freshly sharpened tool) to stop the draught the rest of the time!!

S :wink:

 

[fenris]

ordered it, sent it back, stuck with my sorby 447 deluxe!

not that there was anything wrong with it, it seems very heavy and well made.
HOWEVER, i sharpen on a wet/dry grinder for one, so one of the brackets was redundant anyway, and I use a 6 inch grinding wheel as they're significantly cheaper than 8 inch, even when their shorter life is taken into account.

So I stuck with what works, which weights about a pound, takes up no room at all, and can still do all my grinds!

In short, if you have space and an 8 inch grinder, such as the double record power 8 inch jobby, then this is a good system. if not, maybe it's a bit too much, unless you like raising your grinder off the bench but 2 1/2 inches just to get it to fit!

Note: Axminster have been very good re: returns (unused obviously) and will be my shop of choice when I upgrade my lathe!

 

[Shay Vings]

Fenris - just puzzled why you say an 8inch wheel is needed. Is that stated in the instructions.
My Record Grinder is a 6 in with the wide white wheel one side so I am wondering if it would work with this jig?

 

[Silverbirch]

My Record Grinder is a 6 in with the wide white wheel one side so I am wondering if it would work with this jig?

My Record 6in grinder works fine with the Wolverine jig, which looks very similar to the Axminster one. I had to raise the grinder up on a few layers of mdf, so that the tools contact the centre of the wheel, rather than the top, where they would also foul the griner casing.

Ian