Sharpening question please.

[Alan Tolchinsky]

When sharpening a plane blade what grit stones do you use on the microbevel? Do you go through all of them or just the higher ones? What stone grits do you use for plane sharpening? thanks Alan in Md.

[Tom Scott]

Alan,
For plane irons I will use 1000, 5000, and 8000 grit waterstones. The 1000 can sometimes be skipped if it is just a touch-up, but I usually wait too long for that.
I sharpen free-hand, so I don't do microbevels.

Tom

[Richard Gillespie]

When sharpening a plane blade what grit stones do you use on the microbevel? Do you go through all of them or just the higher ones? What stone grits do you use for plane sharpening? thanks Alan in Md.

Please disregard my earlier post. I was upset about something that occured outside of this forum.

When I worked with water stones I finished with a 8,000 grit. I've seen some recommendations to use stones up to 12,000 grit. I currently use scary sharp method with grits from 150 to 2500. I use a strop to finish with.

[Alan Tolchinsky]

When sharpening a plane blade what grit stones do you use on the microbevel? Do you go through all of them or just the higher ones? What stone grits do you use for plane sharpening? thanks Alan in Md.


Thanks guys for your help. Alan

[Terry Beadle]

I use micro bevels sparingly but when I do, I use my 3000 grit and then finish up with the 6000 and 8000. Usually the main bevel straight off the grinder is too rough, so I always hit it with the 1000 and work my way up. Since the main angle blade work leaves a very smooth surface, I don't see the need to drop down to 1000. Even the 3000 work on the micro bevel is just 20~30 strokes. Micro bevels are small so they don't need a lot of shaping, just polishing. .. my 2 cents.