Sharpening system for Turning

[Norm Koerner]

I'm relatively new to turning, at least to the sharpening process. Would y'all recommend the Tru-Grind or Wolverine Stystem? Thanks in advance.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Norm - Welcome to the Creek!

I have the Wolverine system and the Woodcraft slow speed grinder combination and it works great for me! Haven't used the Tru-Grind but highly recommend the Wolverine system!

[Allen Schmid]

Norm,
Welcome!
I also have the same Wolverine set-up or very similar to what Steve has. Might seem a little costly but the ability to put a great edge on your tools (any and all of them) is consistent. I had been sharpening by hand on a wheel and could not believe the difference. Some will say you can be just as good free hand as with these systems but it takes a lot of time and repetition to get to that point. I'd rather be turning! Now if I can only reach the level that most of these guys have obtained....especially Steve's work!
Good luck and good turning.
Allen

[Bernie Weishapl]

Welcome to SMC Norm. I also have the slow speed grinder and the wolverine jig.

[Allen Neighbors]

Hear, Hear! I also have the Wolverine, and recommend it, although I have a Delta variable speed grinder (I usually use it on high speed 3450 rpm). I do my skews on a belt sander, that is reversed, to travel away from the edge.
I also made a homemade replica of my Wolverine for travelling, that I use on my Vicmarc VL100.
The Wolverine with the Varigrind is an awesome sharpening system... you won't be sad if you choose it.

[Gordon Seto]

Wolverine and Varigrind.
No to Oneway skew jig (which you don't need) and wheel dresser attachment (which has better choice if you want one).

[David Walser]

Norm,

I recommend the Tru-Grind over the Wolverine, but the two systems are fairly similar. The primary differences are the Tru-Grind takes up less space, the Tru-Grind has a smaller "cup" for the tool holder to pivot on (which I think makes it more accurate), and the Tru-Grind uses one handle to sharpen virtually all your tools, while the Wolverine system uses one method for sharpening roughing gouges, another for fingernail gouges, and a third for skews. Of these differences, the 1st two are advantages of the Tru-Grind over the Wolverine. The last is merely a difference.

Two differences no longer exist between the two systems: The Wolverine used to have the advantage of an sturdy tool rest that you could use for other grinding tasks, but the Tru-Grind now has a similar tool rest available. The Wolverine used to have a metal flap on it's vari-grind tool holder that could damage your freshly ground edge as you removed the tool from the vari-grind. They've updated the design so it's more similar to the Tru-Grind and nolonger has the metal flap. (You can get an "upgrade" to update older vari-grind tool holders for very little money.)

Having said that, if space is not an issue, I'd buy on price. Both systems are well made and will last forever.

[Jim Kountz]

+1 for the Wolverine and the varigrind although I made my "wolverine" then bought the varigrind later.

[Greg Bender]

Norm,
I also have the The Wolverine System with the 8" Slow Speed grinder and a Craftsman high Speed Grinder and also occasionally use a 1" by 30" belt sander with 400 grit belts to touch up my square scraper and skews.I don't believe you can go wrong with either system although I prefer the slow speed grinder.
Greg

[Bill Wyko]

I use a Jet wet sharpener. I like that it's extremely slow and makes a very sharp edge.