Downtime

Well, I have not had much time to work in the shop this week. My chunky boxes are just waiting for final sanding and finish, but I can’t seem to get the free time at home right now. Maybe this upcoming long weekend, with it being Rememberance day on Monday.

But I did manage to swing by the local PrincessAuto yesterday on my way home, and I walked out with a cheap $12 diamond-plate sharpening block (on sale). It has four 2×6 sides, each with a different grit (200, 300, 400, 600). I had a variety of oil stones, and a small pocket diamond sharpener, but the stones were already getting gouged/worn. I also wanted a larger diamond plate sharpener so I could more easily flatten the face of my chisel which has been in desperate need of a sharpening.

Well, I brought the stone and chisel to work this morning, and being the first in the office has its advantages ;) I worked that chisel over the coarse side for quite a while until I could see the cutting edges were at least “straight”. I then worked through the grits to made the cutting edge actually sharp. For the first time (ever), the sides/shoulders of the chisel are clean and square to the flat base.

Having sharpened it, I’m just worried about using it now… it will get dull again!

Oh well. At least if it gets dull, I can say I spent some time with the wood!

-- Dekker - http://www.WoodworkDetails.com/Blog/MNagy/