Why a sharpening station
I don’t know about you, but no matter how much I love sharp tools I hate sharpening. I’m not sure if its the time it takes, the set up and back up, or the fine black metal dust that seems to stick to my hand for days, but I just can’t seem to get excited about. My plan to help to overcome this is a dedicated sharpening station. One set up, ready to go, so I can walk over, sharpen and go back to work.
(Sharpening station by Tom Fidgen featured in Fine Woodworking.)
Design Brief
The build needs to incorporate the equipment I have, the timber I have, meet a budget, be a good height for me, and allow for expansion without taking too much time or shop space.
Equipment; 5-6 Shapton Glass water stones, Stanley honing guide, bucket with water, MDF mount for stone, and that’s about it. Future upgrades which I want to account for, slow speed wet grinder, various guides, slip stones etc.
Timber; I have some river red gum and coastal blackbutt from previous projects which should work well.
Ideas;
- Although a granite or marble top would be great, there is a cost limitation.
- A large baking cookie tray, lined with a rubber non-slip mesh, should be able to support the stones and contain the water, this could simply drop into a frame.
- A simple frame, similar to Fidgan’s, would be quick and simple.
- I have some nice blackbutt panels sitting around, I wonder if I can use them.
- My shop gets dusty, should I have a wooden lid that can cover the stones, and act as a desk when not in use.
Research
-- Daniel - http://theloveofwood.blogspot.com/
3 comments so far
JohnnyW
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83 posts in 1202 days
#1 posted 1126 days ago
Hi Dan,
As I was reading your thoughts, a potting bench style table came to mind. It would allow you to wipe it clean or brush off the mess from the front. You could slope the sides and attach your desktop surface (if it were horizontal, it’s likely to get used to store stuff on). The top shelf might not be needed, but I though it would be a good place to put a strip light so you can see what you’re doing, and it would make a good place to put some device to hold the desktop surface in the upright position The main sharpening table could be removable so that you can adapt it as your methods change.
Good Luck!
-- John
Ecocandle
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1014 posts in 1237 days
#2 posted 1126 days ago
I like the way you laid out your thought process. I need to do that, it would make me more organized.
-- Brian Meeks, http://extremelyaverage.com
bigike
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4023 posts in 1460 days
#3 posted 1126 days ago
some great ideas here for different stations, now i just need the space. LOL :)
-- Ike, Big Daddies Woodshop, http://www.icombadaniels@yahoo.com
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