Peter Pedisich
06-30-2012, 1:21 AM
Hi,
This is directed at new-to-hand-tool woodworkers. To all the experienced hand tool users this post may be a little boring, as it's old news to them! I hope this inspires some beginners to practice sharpening.
I've been spending some nights this past week sharpening various irons and chisels, and this process has been the most satisfying and worthwhile time in the shop in a long time.
Trying to flatten the back on some irons was frustrating me until I tried the ruler trick...incredible! I cannot believe how effective it is and what a timesaver it is as well... with my limited shop time this is welcome. I have been trying out the Lee-Valley diamond lapping film, and I'm wavering on whether to continue with granite + abrasive sheets, or move to oil stones or Norton water stones. The stone route is looking much simpler!
I'm now getting shavings of .002 easily, and some fluffy curls in this white pine tonight were gently 'floating' to the floor like they do for Rob Cosman at WIA!
Nothing can make you experience success and confidence like getting the sharpening part right. (I know 99% of you already know this :D, for once I'm in the 1% :eek:)
Now, if only I could saw tenon cheeks and half-laps without spending a great deal of time cleaning them up!
Two last notes: 1) I'd like to congratulate the man who designed the Veritas Low-Angle Jack... If I could have only one plane this would be it, and 2) Notice the Marples chisel in the foreground? it appears to have an intentional hollow on the back which made flattening a breeze, well done if so Marples, well done indeed!
Pete
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2RnVrDPsrH4/T-6FcJhju3I/AAAAAAAAA5A/TQgyBxR8cx0/s800/IMG_6740.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qedqvwP5L3A/T-6Fc4mP8II/AAAAAAAAA5A/8-kkELRxL48/s800/IMG_6742.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T8JhVMM1vos/T-6FcipC1wI/AAAAAAAAA5A/5FaAgAsvchs/s800/IMG_6743.JPG
This is directed at new-to-hand-tool woodworkers. To all the experienced hand tool users this post may be a little boring, as it's old news to them! I hope this inspires some beginners to practice sharpening.
I've been spending some nights this past week sharpening various irons and chisels, and this process has been the most satisfying and worthwhile time in the shop in a long time.
Trying to flatten the back on some irons was frustrating me until I tried the ruler trick...incredible! I cannot believe how effective it is and what a timesaver it is as well... with my limited shop time this is welcome. I have been trying out the Lee-Valley diamond lapping film, and I'm wavering on whether to continue with granite + abrasive sheets, or move to oil stones or Norton water stones. The stone route is looking much simpler!
I'm now getting shavings of .002 easily, and some fluffy curls in this white pine tonight were gently 'floating' to the floor like they do for Rob Cosman at WIA!
Nothing can make you experience success and confidence like getting the sharpening part right. (I know 99% of you already know this :D, for once I'm in the 1% :eek:)
Now, if only I could saw tenon cheeks and half-laps without spending a great deal of time cleaning them up!
Two last notes: 1) I'd like to congratulate the man who designed the Veritas Low-Angle Jack... If I could have only one plane this would be it, and 2) Notice the Marples chisel in the foreground? it appears to have an intentional hollow on the back which made flattening a breeze, well done if so Marples, well done indeed!
Pete
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2RnVrDPsrH4/T-6FcJhju3I/AAAAAAAAA5A/TQgyBxR8cx0/s800/IMG_6740.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qedqvwP5L3A/T-6Fc4mP8II/AAAAAAAAA5A/8-kkELRxL48/s800/IMG_6742.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T8JhVMM1vos/T-6FcipC1wI/AAAAAAAAA5A/5FaAgAsvchs/s800/IMG_6743.JPG