Sharpening Lathe Tools

a gringer and a solid platform are all you need.

-- Roper - Master of sawdust-

For my part I get by with a regular bench grinder (1750 rpm) using white or pink wheels and being careful not to let the heat build up. Once you get the and shape you want all it takes is a quick touch up when you notice the tool is not cutting well.
Next, it is nice to have the tool holders, especially for sharpening gouges. There are several good commercial ones and I have seen several home made ones. With practice and experience you can do it free hand but you may grind away a lot of tool metal learning. I do most of my pen work with a small gouge to round up the stock and a round nose scraper for the final shape and finish….plus sanding. It could also be done with a skew but that too takes some practice to learn how to use it well.

-- Les B, Oregon

Woodcraft is always selling their chinese ‘slow speed grinder’ for a good price. Add a Wolverine jig or look at one and build your own. That should just about do it. Get a black marker while you’re learning. Color the bevel so you can easily see what is being ground off of your tool. If the steel turns blue, let it cool off and start over.

-- Matt - My Websites - http://www.bestinwood.com - Hand Tools :: http://www.workshopgarage.com - Small Shops

Well, I’d say it comes down to the types of turning tools you have. I’ve found that using a bench grinder on my mini detail tools is like using a sledge hammer to drive a tack. I have a “low” speed grinder with the Oneway Wolverine sharpening system. That works great for my full size tools. I grind the the edges and then touch it up with a diamond hone while I’m turning. For my mini tools, I will free hand touch them using the Tormek water cooled grinder I have and again, use the diamond hone to get the final edge. Now, I know that both these systems are rather pricey, especially for a new comer to the trade, so if you have access to a regular bench grinder and use a gentle touch so you don’t burn the steel and then touch the edge up with a honing stone, you will get some good results.

-- "At its best, life is completely unpredictable." - Christopher Walken

I use a slow speed grinder and the Wolverine sharpening system.

-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.

A typical “slow-speed” grinder is 1725rpm . I’m not sure what LesB is referring to as a “regular bench grinder” because your average “regular” grinder runs at 3450rpm.
I recently purchased the Worksharp system and it is very nice and does a great job without overheating your tools , plus there is no water involved .

-- You know you're getting old when you know the difference between you're (you are) and your (belonging to you) AND how to use them in a sentence .

I use a regular grinder and a psi sharpening system (basically a wolverine) and a worksharp 3000

-- Jim in Cushing Oklahoma

I used a regular shop grinder, then I went to a slow speed wet grinder. Now I have the Worksharp WS-3000 and let me tell you it does a fantastic job. I have my chisels sharper now then I ever had. Would highly recommend this worksharp for $199 at most places that sell them.

-- Jerry--A man can never have enough tools or clamps

LOTS of good discussion of this topic in the AAW forums – see aawforum.org, and/or go to their annual meeting next weekend in Albuquerque if you can.