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Sharpening

2K views 5 replies 5 participants last post by  Bluepine38 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hello, I have purchased my dads Shopsmith mark v and need to sharpen the lathe tools that he gave me with it. they are Freud tools. I purchased a craftsman utility sharpener that is a wet/dry stone. I've read a lot about not sharpening on a grinder but its ok to sharpen on a wet stone. My concern is that even with the water cooling the tool down it will still take the temper out of it. He gave me some stones and honing oil he used but when it comes to sharpening, not real bright on that subject. Can anybody help with some advise please? Thanks
 
#2 ·
I have been and am still in the same situation of sharpening lathe tools but have a suggestion. As far as I'm concerned Tormek is the best sharpener. But exspensive. I have tried the grinder lightly, and the stone. I don't think you have to worry about a stone getting the tool to hot unless you got more energy than I do. What I have done now is use the Shop smith Mark V that I have and placed a sanding disc on it and turn the RPM's down to slow and lightly turn the tool back an forth on the disc. All you need to do is hold it on an angle and brighten up the grind that is already on there. Then take a piece of sand paper and flatten the burr of the other side. It works for me you might try it
 
#3 ·
If the tools are high speed steel it won't hurt to sharpen them on the grinder. I was a carver before I was a turner. I sharpened my carving tools very sharp the same as my chisels and plane irons. I would never have used a grinder on them. Since I started turning, I found out the grinder is my friend. I sharpen the tools on the grinder very quickly and get to work. I don't even try to remove the burr on the edge either and they work just fine. The only exception is the skew chisel. I sharpen that on my stone and get it as sharp as I can. This works for me anyway.
 
#4 ·
I consider myself an experienced turner. I sharpen my lathe cutting tools on a slow speed, 8" grinder with the Wolverine jig. I consider that an excellent way, if not the very best way to sharpen lathe cutting tools.

I may add that all of my regular tools (except a couple of Easy Tools) are High Speed Steel (HSS). I think maintaining a consistent placement of the tool, via the Wolverine Jig, is the key. In theory, you do not damage your HSS tool by overheating it, but I am still careful to not overheat it.

You may not get quite as sharp of a bite as some other methods, but you can return and touch up the sharpness in just a few seconds.
 
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