Sharpening wood chisels

[james butler]

looked a lot like this but bigger
https://www.ebay.de/itm/RUIXIN-Kuch...harpener-Tool-4-Schleifstein-WA-/173658578875

 

[brightspark]

Just adjust the pressure to keep it square, comes easy after all these years, bit more difficult now the stone is not as flat as it was, doubt this quality stones are available now.

an easy way to true them up is rub them over a concrete paving slab and they will go perfectly flat I got all; of mine from boot fairs worn for 2 quid each there all perfect now

 

[bigegg]

i remember watchoing a youtube video of a guy using a wide diamond file to sharpen knifes.
i would imagine it would do this kind of work really well
had a handle with diamond inserts that looked a lot like these https://www.skiservice-shop.de/toko...MIi7bf7P2Q3wIVDouyCh0UWAo5EAQYAiABEgIYK_D_BwE
and a jig where the knife was clamped up and the jig held the end of the file so when rested on the knife edge it sat at the perfect angle.
if i find the video i will post it up

lansky knife sharpening jig?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lansky-L...g-3-Stone-System-with-Fine-Hones/142794948305

 

[cheb]

I'm glad I didn't buy one then.

 

[james butler]

lansky knife sharpening jig?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lansky-L...g-3-Stone-System-with-Fine-Hones/142794948305

looks like it

 

[cheb]

I'll fess up and admit to having a Tormek too. Much easier than using an oilstone, especially if you want a skew chisel and don't want to buy one.

 

[james butler]

just found this on screwfix site no idea if its any good though
https://www.screwfix.com/p/trend-fts-kit-fast-track-sharpening-system/84728

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

just found this on screwfix site no idea if its any good though
https://www.screwfix.com/p/trend-fts-kit-fast-track-sharpening-system/84728

Yes they are.
Someone stole mine years back but ordered a new one last week. Few links to it posted further back by me.

As long as your chisels are cut to 30/25deg they work perfectly. If there not the initial sharpen is time consuming.
Mine should be close enough as use a guide on a belt sander to set angles.
Il be spending my evenings in front of the box getting 5 sets up to scratch then will be a two minute job to sharpen and hone on site.
Much better than free handing on a diamond box.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

If anyone buys the trend. Buy the 100/600/1000 grit inserts too. Using 240 for initial sharpen is laborious.

Should come with 240 and 480

 

[Welderpaul]

Thanks chaps, I've splashed out and bought a Tormek T4

 

[bigegg]

Thanks chaps, I've splashed out and bought a Tormek T4

you won't regret it.
and if you ever decide to get rid, they hold their value well.

unless you sell it on the bay to finish at 8am on a Sunday morning in the middle of january, collection only from the middle of nowhere (Lincolnshire fens in my case) and with a really rubbish photo + description.

 

[brewdexta]

I use the tormek about every 10th sharpenings. In between I use plate glass and different micron papers to hone a micro bevel. If I get a big ding then I have a white stone on my grinder that is quite cool running to get it somewhere close before going on to the tormek. I use a veritas mk II honing guide when using the micron papers.

Honing on the tormek leather wheel gave a very good edge. Solvol autosol is virtually the same as the tormek honing paste but a lot cheaper.

Everybody has a different system, a friend who is a cabinet maker gets great results from a diamond plate and a quick hone on the back of his jeans. However as this is a hobby for me I'm not as skilled so the system takes out all the guesswork and I get it very sharp consistently.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

I use the tormek about every 10th sharpenings. In between I use plate glass and different micron papers to hone a micro bevel. If I get a big ding then I have a white stone on my grinder that is quite cool running to get it somewhere close before going on to the tormek. I use a veritas mk II honing guide when using the micron papers.

Honing on the tormek leather wheel gave a very good edge. Solvol autosol is virtually the same as the tormek honing paste but a lot cheaper.

Everybody has a different system, a friend who is a cabinet maker gets great results from a diamond plate and a quick hone on the back of his jeans. However as this is a hobby for me I'm not as skilled so the system takes out all the guesswork and I get it very sharp consistently.

The beauty of the cab makers method is he can sharpen his tools anywhere.

For me on site it's about keeping them sharp enough to work. Pointless homing them to perfection. First bit of wood I bang them in and its undone anyway.

Normally sharpen and hone by hand on a diamond block and as they get damaged beyond a quick sharpen I move on to another set and put them to one side for later attention. The above jig makes it easier and quicker mind.

Tried all sorts but the belt sander for reconditioning a chisel still trumps them all for ease and speed.
Much like this. Pot of water to cool if there's a lot to come off. Advantage is I always have my belt sander in the van. Got me out of a few holes when I've hit a nail with a plane.
Imparts far less heat into the metal than dry grinding on a wheel.

 

[bigegg]

I suppose it depends what you're using your chisels for.

I have a set that I don't use very often: 1960s? Irwins maybe even 1950s.Belonged to my grand-dad. They're razor sharp, and I only use them for precision joints in new wood.
Those are touched up, with care, on the tormek and then honed. They never leave my workshop.

I have a second set (marples blue handles) that are my daily workhorses - cutting mortises in fence posts, half laps in 3x2s. That sort of thing - joinery, rather than "cabinetmaking". They get touch-up on the tormek a couple of times a year, and a regular wipe on a piece of 600 grit w+d on a 4in ceramic tile. They spend most of the time in the car.

I also have a 22mm Roebuck which is my "beater". It gets the notches knocked out on the belt sander when they get too bad. That gets used for opening paint tins, or cutting holes in plaster, or cleaning old putty out of windows. Its starting to get a bit short, now. Might have to get another.


I also have probably 20 or 30 old box wood handled chisels from various places. The oldest I have is a socket handled from a company that went out of business in the late 19th century. They're all tormek'd to razor sharp, but sit unused in a box.

 

[jordan1]

This is the Paul Sellers video I referred to earlier - I've done some basic sharpening with it:

Never seen anyone in the trade prat about with wood chisels like that

 

[brightspark]

Never seen anyone in the trade prat about with wood chisels like that

well over the tophalf a dozen strokes over with a strop is well enough after sharpening on a fine stone as I said if it shaves hair it cant get any better than that no matter what you do

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Never seen anyone in the trade prat about with wood chisels like that

hated the not so subtle dig at belt sanders. love to see him lap out a 2mm notch from a hidden nail with his methods.

at the end of the day doesnt matter how you set the initial bevel. as quick and cool as possible. its the micro bevel and final hone that matters

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Ordered yesterday afternoon and just arrived. Cant grumble with that for free delivery. Living ten mins from a major amazon hub helps.

 

[jordan1]

Seems like this tool will not remove any dings and the angle really needs to be correct before using or it will be a long job.

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Seems like this tool will not remove any dings and the angle really needs to be correct before using or it will be a long job.

Yes. Its just a diamond block in a jig.
Designed for a quick resharpen on site with good repeatability.
Works exactly as intended. Like I said in previous posts initially setting chisels to the jig requires a little effort but worthwhile longterm.