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Jeff Caskie
02-25-2007, 9:16 PM
Any thoughts/opinions on the new honing system by Pinnacle (link (http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=20080))? I am thinking of picking one up this sat during the Woodcraft sale. How does it compare to other guide systems? Which one is the best?

Mike K Wenzloff
02-25-2007, 10:45 PM
There are certain limitations and issues with the Pinnacle jig. Which is true of any jig. The Pinnacle's are more critical, however. There was a thread elsewhere and the owner and or designer got involved. It sounds like they are going to address several of the issues ['problems' as I call 'em].

The other main options depend on what you want a honing guide for. The inexpensive Eclipse clone also sold at Woodcraft is a decent design. Lee Valley's MK.II Honing Guide is more robust and extensible--for instance skewed and cambered edge tools are more easily done than other jigs.

Lie-Nielsen will be releasing their series of honing jigs sooner or later. These are remakes and redesigns of the Eclipse-type of side clamping jigs.

Kell makes nice ones.

The Pinnacle I would wait at least for the redesign.

Take care, Mike

Brian Hale
02-26-2007, 4:43 AM
Jeff,

I've never used or seen one but a couple things stand out.....

It appears the rails sit on your work surface and the stone sits between them. Unless your stones are all the same thickness you'll need to reset the angle between grits.

The honing film and plate would solve that problem but adds to the cost.

It looks like it would be easy to run the sled into the end of the guide rails while honing and you'd be chasing the whole setup around your work surface.

The angle Gage is $25 extra.

As Mike mentioned, the LV MKII guide would be a good alternative for about half the price and it come with a angle setter. I have it and it's a very nice guide, the best i've used.

If you decide to go with it, look elsewhere for the honing film. $5 bucks for 2/3 of a sheet of PSA micro abrasives is more than double what LV sells it for and the non-PSA sheets are cheaper yet.

My 1/2 cent worth...

Brian :)

Barry Beech
02-26-2007, 11:53 AM
I have the LV MKII. It functions perfectly plus it is alot cheaper.

http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=51868&cat=1,43072,43078&ap=1

Not affiliated, just a very satisfied customer. :D

Clint Jones
02-26-2007, 12:08 PM
I havent used it personally but I have only heard bad things about it. Here is a thread on another forum telling all about peoples experience with the guide http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=2881913&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=1&vc=1

Jeff Caskie
02-26-2007, 1:25 PM
Thanks for all your responses.... I am glad I asked! It looks like I will be ordering the MKII in the near future... or perhaps waiting to see what LN comes up with.


Jeff