Chip breaker when using the ruler trick

[Daniel Rode]

After seeing it done by a number of people, I started using the ruler trick on my plane irons to polish the back when sharpening. This creates a very small bevel on the back. If I want to set the chip breaker very close to the edge to control tearout, I'm concerned that the beginning the bevel and the leading edge of the chip breaker will meet.

Is anyone else doing both?

[Alan Schwabacher]

The back bevel from the ruler trick is a small fraction of a degree. You should have more clearance than that at the chipbreaker contact point. As far as chipbreaker use goes, the ruler trick makes no difference.

[david charlesworth]

Full marks for the correct answer.

I prepare my chipbreakers with a 1 to 2 degree undercut, or clearance angle, on the underside of the front edge. The ruler technique creates a back bevel of about 2/3rds of one degree, when used on an 8000 stone.

I have set c/bs as close as 4 to 6 thou".

Best wishes,
David Charlesworth

[Mike Siemsen]

Way to go Alan!

[david charlesworth]

This is a question which gets asked frequently! I hope the answer will reassure people.

Best wishes,
David