WorkSharp 3000 questions

What does the face (back) of the chisel look like? Did you lap it as well? Even harbor freight chisels can be sharpened to a razor’s edge…it’s just a matter of holding that edge. There’s no reason your Craftsman’s shouldn’t take a keen edge as well.

I’d agree with wunderaa, that the back is probably not flat enough for the cutting edge to do its thing.

My spokeshave has a 30 degree primary bevel and a 35 degree micro-bevel. It is the common high angle spokeshave. Some of the wooden ones and a Veritas low angle spokeshave (used for removing lots of wood) have 20 degree primary bevel and a 25 degree micro bevel.

-- Rich, Seattle, WA

When i have trouble with the back of a chisel or iron not being flat i dont waste the WS sandpaper. I cut a sanding belt in half and use it on glass starting at a worn 60 grit. It seems to work a little faster than the WS and certainlly less expensive. After the 60 grit i just on the WS with 100 grit.

-- "there aren’t many hand tools as awe-inspiring as the #8 jointer. I mean, it just reeks of cast iron heft and hubris" - Smitty

wunderaa I lapped the back of the chisel but maybe not enough. As a newbie its hard to say when its flat enough.

Thanks for the spokeshave angle Rich, now I have a target.

I apologize for not answering sooner, but this thing called work is getting in the way. :-)

-- Mike

scribble the back of the iron/chisel with a black sharpie magic marker, when all the marker is gone you know you’re getting it flat. If only half is gone and some remaining you know which side is out of whack.

-- "there aren’t many hand tools as awe-inspiring as the #8 jointer. I mean, it just reeks of cast iron heft and hubris" - Smitty

chrisstef thabnks for that!

This is what I love about this site! So helpful.

-- Mike

Just makin things a lil easier for ya bro. Glad i could help.

-- "there aren’t many hand tools as awe-inspiring as the #8 jointer. I mean, it just reeks of cast iron heft and hubris" - Smitty