Sharpening question?

[Garamanda]

Hi.
Anybody out there with any experience sharpening tools with an abrasive belt on a linishing machine?
I have a small 3 phase horizontal linishing machine and was thinking about fixing an adjustable tool rest on it to?
Is it any good if so what's the best abrasive belts out there? Cheers. Gary

 

[woodpig]

Hi Gary, I've been sharpening tools on my belt and disk sander for years. I made an adjustable table, an auxiliary platen and a gouge sharpening jig holder. I use 80g belts for general sharpening and 60g for rough shaping. If I want a polished edge on any tools I use a 240g. The 60 and 80 grit belts are Alox I think on heavyweight cloth. The 240g belts are grey paper backed ones, not sure of the coating.

 

[bobajobob]

Me too. 120 grit works great and cuts cooler than grinder.

 

[woodpig]

Forgot to add Gary, don't switch from sanding wood to tool sharpening without giving the machine a good clean down or you'll end up with smoking sawdust! :wink:

 

[Jacob]

Sorby Pro-edge is a linishing machine.
Linishers (and belt sanders in general) are really good for sharpening.
NB tools generally narrow so you don't necessarily need a full width belt for sharpening as long as it's the right length for your machine - so check out other belts.
They are also good freehand with just a simple tool rest, or no tool rest at all.

 

[Garamanda]

Thanks you all.
Love you're set up there woodpig. Did you buy it like that or did you modify it?
After reading the replies I'm going to modify mine. My lingisher is horizontal though.
But if I fix an adjustable tool rest somehow it should do the same thing. I'll keep you posted.

 

[woodpig]

Yes it's a modified Record BDS250.

 

[Garamanda]

It's cooool. I'll post photos when finished mine. If I can work out how to do it.
I've left it a bit late in life when it come to computers and social media.
Mid 50s only. Made it sound like I was ready to hang up the apron. Cheers.

 

[woodpig]

Yes, do post some pictures when it's done. They may be of use to others.

 

[Garamanda]

Sorry forgot to ask. Will it work better if the belt runs away from the tool or towards the tool??

 

[sploo]

Sorry forgot to ask. Will it work better if the belt runs away from the tool or towards the tool??

The Sorby ProEdge works with the belt coming towards the tool, and in a demo I saw the Sorby guy said that it was basically designed as a smaller version of the linishers they use in the factory - so, I assume towards is the best.

 

[Garamanda]

Thanks guys