| Review by David Murray | posted 1211 days ago | 2304 views | 1 time favorited | 4 comments |  |
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This is my first review so bear with me.
I needed a way to sharpen my lathe chisels, I didn’t want the expence or have to wait to send them to a sharpening service. I have always been intimidated by sharpening tools so I went to a Rockler store nearby for guidance. They showed me the setup they had for sharpening there turning tools. I gained some valuable tips that day and went about researching products for this purpose.
The system I settled on is PSI’s version. I purchased it from Amazon.com it was $10 cheaper than from PSI and included shipping another $10 savings. All in all $114. I spent another $30 on a grinder from Harbor Freight.
The instruction sheet that came with system is fairly clear and easy to understand. It has a brief step by step paragraph for each attachment.
System came with a “V” Pocket Jig for sharpening gouges.
A grinding platform for regular chisels, skew chisels, parting tools and scrapers.
A Fingernail Jig for fingernail profile gouges.(I have yet to use this attachment)
An Offset Skew Grinding Attachment.
This purchase has allowed me to keep my lathe tools razor sharp. I mounted the system with the grinder near my lathe allowing for quick touch up of tools during a turning project. This is very important especially when turning acrylic and plastic blanks for pens.
I am very satisified with this purchase and would recommend this sharpening system.
-- Dave from "The Sawdust Shed"
4 comments so far
richgreer
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4474 posts in 1240 days
#1 posted 1211 days ago
This looks to be virtually identical to the Wolverine system at a much lower price. I’ve used my Wolverine for some time and I’m very happy with it.
I will make one suggestion. Based on the price I assume that your grinder is not a slow speed grinder. Slow speed grinders (running at 1750 rpm) with a 8” wheels work best for lathe tools.
-- Rich, Cedar Rapids, IA - I'm a woodworker. I don't create beauty, I reveal it.
8iowa
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1442 posts in 1927 days
#2 posted 1211 days ago
I’ll also place a vote for the 1750 rpm grinder, which is available from Woodcraft. You will also soon need a diamond dresser for your grinding wheels.
-- "Heaven is North of the Bridge"
dbhost
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4748 posts in 1398 days
#3 posted 1210 days ago
I went with the Wolverine system myself, but had looked at the PSI unit. Had I seen decent reviews like this prior to my purchase, I might have gone with the PSI instead…
Oneway Manufacturing (The guys that make the Wolverine jig) recommend a full speed 8” grinder for sharpening lathe tools, but I see a LOT of advice from folks like the two posters above me saying a slow speed grinder. I went with a Ryobi BGH827 and fitted it with Aluminum Oxide white grinding wheels (60 and 100 grit)... Keeps the tools scary sharp, no loss of temper problem here!
I think if I were not using HSS though, there would be a problem…
-- Manufacturer of fine quality sawdust since 1984. Comments and advice on my shop welcome. Check it out at http://lumberjocks.com/dbhost/workshop. Gladly accepting shop build donations!
richgreer
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4474 posts in 1240 days
#4 posted 1208 days ago
My grinder is actually a variable speed grinder that I can run from 2000 rpm to 3450 rpm. When I grind lathe tools I run it as slow as possible. I have played with cranking the speed up and it just doesn’t feel right.
I’ve also been taught to use an eight inch wheel because smaller wheels create a cut with too much concavity. Thing is – an 8 inch wheel eventually becomes a 6 inch wheel. I’ll have to decide at what point a change to a new wheel.
As an FYI, I use a 60 grit wheel for my gouges and a 100 grit wheel for my skews and scrapers. I always hone my skews after grinding because, while it is important that every cutting tool be sharp, I think it is important that the skew be super sharp.
-- Rich, Cedar Rapids, IA - I'm a woodworker. I don't create beauty, I reveal it.
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