Tool sharpening

[RPM]

Can anyone tell me where I can get my lathe tools sharpened?
I don't mean a certain shop.

Do shoe repairers still do it?

I was going to buy a grinder but I really don't have a lot to throw at more tools and jigs at the moment, Plus the lack of knowledge of how to do it.

I am very interested in this type of woodworking but the tools are making it very hard to stay with it.

Thanks.

 

[Anonymous]

Best advice RPM is to get a grinder... you can get one with a white wheel for around £30... you may be able to get something cheaper with grey wheels...

If you have a local club go along... someone may grind your tools for you but it's better that they show you how to do it. Make it a priority as it's good to have a freshly sharpened tool for those final finishing cuts.

If you were local to me I could show you in under 10mins... a simple effective grind that will do the job.

You may have seen the late Keith Rowley's book mentioned on here, it has an easy to make basic grinding platform.

 

[CHJ]

Can anyone tell me where I can get my lathe tools sharpened?
I don't mean a certain shop.

Do shoe repairers still do it?

I was going to buy a grinder but I really don't have a lot to throw at more tools and jigs at the moment, Plus the lack of knowledge of how to do it.

I am very interested in this type of woodworking but the tools are making it very hard to stay with it.

Thanks.

I'm afraid sharpening your own is fundamental to turning.
On many projects you will need to dress the cutting edge every few minutes. I would say the need to master the sharpening of the tools is fundamental to their use on the lathe.

I think Lathe tool angles are very much down to personal preference, although the general guidelines on angles are a starting point, personal methods of use, tool presentation etc. all play a roll.

I believe Japanese turners, although turning methods differ to ours, are encouraged to make, let alone sharpen their own tools as part of the basic learning process.

Do you not have a local turner who can go through the basics with you, the grinder need not be an expensive model and simple rests and jigs are easy to make yourself.

 

[RPM]

Thanks Oldsoke

I do have the book and thought it may be a bit out of my league to make a jig
like he did, perhaps I may under-estimate myself sometimes?

I does look quite easy to build, so I will have to give it a go.

Thanks CHJ.

I do not know of any local turners but I will now do my best to find some, and as above I will try my hand at the jigs

Thanks Gents for your time on this. :wink:

 

[paulm]

Let us know your approximate location RPM and we may be able to suggest some local contacts who could help.

Or google for woodturning clubs and go along or make contact with a local one and see what they suggest.

Cheers, Paul.

 

[Wanlock Dod]

Here, here for the doing your own sharpening. I'm just starting to learn but it really does help. I suppose that the sharpening comes along with the turning and certainly sometimes I find myself resharpening quite regularly (several times in even quite a short session). I have far better success with jigs, infact vastly better.

Good luck,

Dod

 

[NeilO]

RPM, I have to agree with Chas and fellow turners , you will have to dress/sharpen your tools frequently whilst working even on relatively soft woods,
think about how much wood your removing from your workpiece as opposed to a wood chisel or plane in their everyday use...

addage::"you stand more chance cutting yourself with a blunt knife than with a sharp one", the same probability applies ........the blunter the tools, the greater chance of damage, be it workpeice or limbs.

And Ok you may not get it right first time, who has???( dont all shout at once :lol: ) but with time and patience, you`ll be sharpening your tools without a second thought.

my two pennies worth

 

[RPM]

Thanks to all for the help.

I will be looking into the sharpening side of my tools. I am also looking at getting shut of the cheap tat tools that I bought.

It seems like I am only able to attack the wood instead of turning it.

Live and learn...I suppose

Once again, thanks :wink:

 

[Russell]

RPM Don't get rid of "tat" tools you can make other tools out of them for that one off job that you will come across in the future and if nothing else you can practise grinding with them without fear of wrecking decent quality tools.

 

[RPM]

RPM Don't get rid of "tat" tools you can make other tools out of them for that one off job that you will come across in the future and if nothing else you can practise grinding with them without fear of wrecking decent quality tools.

Ahhh!

Thanks Russell, I will do just that. I have had a good day today so I may be getting the grinder...soon. :wink:

 

[kennyM]

Hello, anyone know of a woodturning club in central Scotland? I was getting on fine with using my new skew chisel until I sharpened it, just isn't the same anymore.

 

[Anonymous]

Hi Kenny

have a look in the local library for Keith Rowley's book...

One of Dave Regester's books has info on skew sharpening...

There's a good video on using the skew by ???? Batty... sorry, his first name escapes me :roll:

 

[Russell]

The following are all Scottish clubs if my geography is any good, I have removed the phone numbers they all have email. Hope this helps



AYR & DISTRICT WOODTURNING CLUB
Secretary: Bill Jamieson, Ayrshire,


E-mail: [email protected]
Meetings: First & third Mondays of the month from 7.00pm to 9.00pm

Venue: Dalmilling Community Centre, Ayr.

GRAMPIAN WOODTURNERS

Secretary: Chris Gunstone, Aberdeen


Email: [email protected]
HIGHLAND WOODTURNERS

Secretary: Sy Henderson,Inverness

Email: [email protected]
Website: under construction

Meetings: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.
Venue: Charleston Academy, Inverness


NORTH HIGHLAND WOODTURNING ASSOCIATION

Secretary: Bob Matthews



Email: [email protected]

Meetings: First Saturday each month.

Venue: North Highland College, Thurso

STRATHCLYDE WOODTURNERS

Secretary: Jim Pearson.



E-mail: [email protected]

Meetings: 2nd Monday of each Month at 7.00pm(except July and August Bank Holidays)

Venue: 6 Auchinloch Road, Lenzie, Glasgow.G66 5ER