goth_fiend Posted October 24, 2005 Report Share Posted October 24, 2005 I recently got a jack plane, spokeshave, and a few finger planes, now all of the blades on these tools are brand new and have not been honed yet, as I am still faily new to woodworking, and guitar building in general, I would really like to know how to properly sharpen my blades so that I dont ruin my tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrSuperflex Posted October 24, 2005 Report Share Posted October 24, 2005 Ok, my english is not really good on this subject, but ill give it a try Start out on a sharpening machine (the one with a round stone in both ends rotating) The edge of the blade should be around 22.5 degrees.. It doesent have to be that precise, but thats the standard on most chisels. (a smaller angle for softer wood and a bigger angle for harder wood could be used, but it is not that important) Check if the blade is in a 90 degree angle and if it is straight all the way.. If not, continiue with the machine until it is Be careful that the iron doesent get too warm and turn blue while you sharpen it on the machine. When it gets blue, it gets soft, and soft blades are worth nothing. Dip it in water to cool it down. When the edge of the blade is "round" (hollow) you should use a normal sharpening stone. Start with a rough stone. just slide over the stone a few times, and then its time for the fine stone. Be sure that the fine stone is always wet when using it. turn the blade over when sharpening it, so you "sharpen" the "back" of it. Swich sides reguraly, and do it more and more, until you only slide over the stone once. To test if the blade is sharp, slide your thumb nail gently over the edge of the blade. if you feel any bumps, you still need to do some sharpening.. When you are finished, the edge should still be "round" or "hollow". This makes it easier to sharpen the blade, because you dont have to use the machine every time, and because you only have to remove material at the two opposite ends of the hollow rounding at the end of the blade.. If you get the picture It takes some practise to get good at sharpening blades, but this is the basic principle i use.. I know that some people do it differently, but this is what i have leaned.. And my blades get really really sharp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted October 24, 2005 Report Share Posted October 24, 2005 Do yourself a favor and go to the Taunton Press website. They are running a sale on their "how to sharpen" book for about $28.00. This was written by Tom Lie-Neilson and is the best book I've ever seen on the subject. Well worth the bucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rendisha Posted October 24, 2005 Report Share Posted October 24, 2005 Try Scary Sharp method. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M_A_T_T Posted October 24, 2005 Report Share Posted October 24, 2005 I use THESE. Use them on a smooth surface, as a surface with texture will show through the paper and mess up you sharpening (I used to use them on melamine, then switched to a glass plate). I also have a fancy honing guide that is awesome, definately use some type of honing guide when doing chisels and plane blades. I get my blades RAZOR sharp with this method and can get wicked thin shaving from my planes: http://files.photojerk.com/mmaatt/violin/v272.jpg For gouges I use the gouge to carve a channel the exact shape of the gouge in a soft wood like cedar, then fit the honing paper in and run the gouge through it. I also quickly hone the opposite edge of my blades to ensure a razor fine edge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mattia Posted October 25, 2005 Report Share Posted October 25, 2005 ScarySharp is good, and google up Ron Hock's page, which describes some sharpening basics quite nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdw3332 Posted October 25, 2005 Report Share Posted October 25, 2005 Honing Guide I just ordered one of these. A neighbor has one and it works great to get the angles right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M_A_T_T Posted October 25, 2005 Report Share Posted October 25, 2005 Honing Guide I just ordered one of these. A neighbor has one and it works great to get the angles right. ← That's the one I have, you'll love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goth_fiend Posted October 26, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 26, 2005 im ordering one of those in a few days, thank you for the link. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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