what's the best way to sharpen...

[Mark Pruitt]

...this tool?

47622
It's essentially a scraper, though they (Sorby) refer to it as a bead forming tool. Obviously the grinder is out of the question. I would think that honing with a round diamond file would be the proper solution but for some reason I can't seem to find them except in sets which include other items I already have. Does anyone sell them individually?

Or should I simply use a credit card sharpener and hone only the flat surface?:confused: :confused:

Thanks for any help,

Mark

[jeremy levine]

http://www.garrettwade.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=105915&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=12395&iSubCat=12400&iProductID=105915

[Mark Singer]

On profiles I use a slip stone on the inside and flatten the back on a flat stone. You can use micro abrasive psa on a dowel or other profile ....You can make an angle block to control the bevel or just freehand

http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/woodworking/sharpening/54k9301s1.jpg


http://www.leevalley.com/images/item/woodworking/sharpening/60m9052s1b.jpg

[Keith Christopher]

I would imagine you would hone the top flat and then burnish the edge l like a scraper.

[Dennis Peacock]

Ya know. That's a very good question. Many times I think, hey, that would be a nice turning tool to have and use. Then I get to thinking, how in the world do you sharpen that thing? Needless to say....I stick with what I can sharpen without buying for stuff for sharpening. :o

[Frank Fusco]

I just bought some micro-beading tools from a member of a penturing forum I belong to. He makes the tools and says to just sharpen the back (flat) side with a flat stone.

[Steven Wilson]

Mark nailed it. Most of the time you only need to work on the flat surface and leave the curved face alone. When the curved portion needs work then I use a curved slip stone.

[Mark Pruitt]

Thanks all--
I like the idea of an abrasive and dowel rod; I probably need to find an abrasive that's more resilient than the ultra fine silicone carbide paper at the BORG. That stuff doesn't seem to have much life with wood or wood finishes, much less steel. I'll check around and see what I can find better.

The slipstones are great, but I have two of these beading tools and the smaller one is 1/4"--too small for the slipstones pictured in Mark S.'s reply. But I guess none of that matters if I can find a decent abrasive.

...and I already have a set of credit card sharpeners, so I'm going to concentrate on honing the flat surface for now and see what results I can get.

Thanks again.

Mark

[Dennis Peacock]

The slipstones are great, but I have two of these beading tools and the smaller one is 1/4"--too small for the slipstones pictured in Mark S.'s reply. But I guess none of that matters if I can find a decent abrasive.

Thanks again.
Mark

Hey Mark,

Why not use a 1/4" ceramic stone out of a knife sharpening kit?? Wouldn't that work?:confused:

[Gary DeWitt]

How about one of those tapered diamond covered rods the knife enthusiasts use on their hunting knives? I purchased one separately at a sporting goods store. They're also useful for honing the inside of your gouge flutes, if you want to do that, also a small circular area on some of my forstner bits.
The one I have tapers from about 5/16 down to about 1/8.

[Mark Pruitt]

Hmm...I'll give the serrated knife sharpener out of the kitchen cutlery set a try. It has "flutes" that run the length of the bar so maybe a twisting motion would do the trick. Had not thought of that. Thanks.

I wonder if SWMBO would miss that sharpener.....:eek:

[Vaughn McMillan]

Hmm...I'll give the serrated knife sharpener out of the kitchen cutlery set a try. It has "flutes" that run the length of the bar so maybe a twisting motion would do the trick. Had not thought of that. Thanks.

I wonder if SWMBO would miss that sharpener.....:eek: Along the same lines, but you get to turn the handle:

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/pkfile.html

http://www.pennstateind.com/graphics/PKFILE.jpg

I've made a couple of these, and both recipients really liked them. (Need to order another of the kits...I gave away the one I made for myself.)