Sharpening Woodturning tools.

[Shedman]

Does anyone know of a sharpening service for woodturning tools. I know I will need to do my own in the future, but I have a large box that all need sharpening, and I don't have time to do them all!! I have a scheppach tiger 2000 to keep them up to standard, but I do need some help to get started.

Thanks

 

[Digit]

Where are you?

Roy.

 

[Shedman]

Just outside Kettering in Northamptonshire

 

[Digit]

Too far away for me to do them for you. Try Yellow pages though.

Roy.

 

[Shedman]

Thanks for that. I'll keep trying!

 

[Mark Hancock]

Try contacting the 3 woodturning clubs near to you. I'm sure there will be someone able to help you out.
Village Turners http://www.villageturners.org.uk near Peterborough
Tudor Rose http://www.tudor-rose-turners.org.uk Daventry
West Northants near Northampton

 

[Derek Cohen (Perth Oz)]

Hi Shedman

I'm a relative newby to lathes - been at it about two years now - so take my suggestion cautiously.

Several months ago I had a woodworking friend drop by to sharpen his lathe chisels. We spent a lot of time mucking about on other tools and time went by. About 10 minutes before he had to go he reminded me that he desparately needed his eight lathe chisels honed. I said I'd get onto it ... and literally 30 seconds later I handed him 8 razor sharp chisels. He almost fell over in disbelief.

I really do not know if this is a no-no ... I am completely self-taught in this area. What I use to sharpen lathe chisels is the disk sander attached to the belt sander combo. If there is a lot of steel to remove I will use a 80 or 120 grit disk. If I am just touching up, then I use a 240 grit disk.

Just lightly touch the steel to the disk and roll the bevel so that the entire face is honed. This is a safe process if you are using HSS steel since the heat generated will not affect the temper at all. With other steels you must be quick. But it goes quickly anyway.

As you can see I do this freehand. No jigs. This is one reason it takes so little time. Just follow the original angle of the bevel. It is also quick because the resulting edge is smooth and sharp from a 240 grit disk. No further honing is needed for most tasks. If I do need to hone further, then I replace the sanding disk with a leather strop, which is used with green rouge.

Regards from Perth

Derek