elements of woodturning

Sharpening
Turning Tools
Selected Readings from American Woodturner,
journal of the American Association of Woodturners

American Association of Woodturners | 222 Landmark Center, 75 Fifth Street West, St. Paul, MN 55102-7704
877-595-9094 | www.woodturner.org
 Contents
3 Introduction
The Editors

4 Learn to Sharpen All Your Turning Tools

Alan Lacer

15 Shaping Tool Edges

David Ellsworth

18 Testing the Steel in Turning Tools

Alan Lacer

1 Grinder Wheels
2
Bill Neddow

26 Comparing Sharpening Alternatives

Jim Echter

32 Improving a Grinder
Bob Vaughan

35 Jigs Grind Consistent Edges

Kirk Deheer

38 Turners Test Sharpening Jigs

AAW Members

44 Safety Lessons: Sharpening Jigs

Jim Rodgers

46 Virtues of Wet Grinding

Terry Martin

48 Narrow-Belt Sharpening
Kenneth A. Ray

50 Shop-Built Sharpening Jigs

King Heiple

54 Shop-Built Wide-Belt System

Jim Echter

58 Does Honing Pay Off?

Alan Lacer & Jeryl Wright
Published by American Association of Woodturners,
222 Landmark Center, 75 5th St. W., St. Paul, MN 55102-7704. 64 How to Hone Edge Tools
877-595-9094, www.woodturner.org.
Alan Lacer
Copyright ©2014 American Association of Woodturners. All rights
reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form 67 Scraper Sharpness
without written permission. Readers may create any project for personal
use or sale, and may copy patterns to assist them in making projects. The Alan Lacer & Jeryl Wright
information in this book is presented in good faith; however, no warranty
is given nor are results guaranteed. American Woodturner magazine and
the American Association of Woodturners disclaim any and all liability.
American Woodturner (ISSN 0895-9005) is published bimonthly
by American Association of Woodturners.

Sharpening Turning Tools

ISBN: 978-1-939662-15-6
Printed on Demand in United States of America
American Association of Woodturners, www.woodturner.org

2 www.woodturner.org
Introduction
I
t’s often said that a woodworker is only as sharp as his tools,
and that’s doubly true for woodturners.
Consider a 10-inch bowl blank rotating on the lathe at a
modest 600 RPM. The rim of the blank travels at 1570 feet per
minute, or about 18 miles per hour. Modern tool steel is amazingly
tough and durable, but that’s the same as powering the sharp edge
of a gouge through almost quarter-mile of wood, every minute.
No steel could stay sharp for very long.
That’s why the lathe demands sharp tools, and why every
would-be woodturner needs to develop a workable sharpening
system. Fortunately, as this volume will show, there are several
good technologies and approaches. For beginners it is a matter
of choosing your sharpening procedure, making the investment
to acquire the technology, and learning how to use it. Which is
where this little book comes in.
It’s a common beginner mistake to turn for too long before
sharpening, and consequently to become exasperated by poor
results. The cure is simple: learn how to sharpen, and sharpen
often. Sharpen before you think the tool is dull, not after.

Selected Readings
from AW Journal
From its founding in 1986, the American Association of
Woodturners has published a regular journal of advice,
information, and good fellowship for everyone interested
in the field. Led by a series of dedicated editors and board
members, the AW Journal has evolved to become American
Woodturner magazine, now published in full color six times
each year.
The AW Journal is a genuine treasure-trove of practical,
shop-tested information written by woodturners for their
fellow woodturners. Sharpening Turning Tools is part of an
ongoing series being extracted from this archive. Sharpening
Turning Tools is available as a 72-page printed book, or as a
download that is readable on all your electronic devices.
Safe woodturning is fun woodturning. A little time
spent with this book will help you build strong skills at the
lathe while teaching you best woodturning practices.

www.woodturner.org 3
Learn to Sharpen
All Your Turning Tools
Alan Lacer

W
ere these your first
experiences in sharpening
turning tools?
• You believed the tools came
ready to use?
• You thought because the ad
said you could turn 4,822 bowls
without sharpening, they
weren’t kidding?
• When you did try grinding,
the surfaces looked like a flint-
chipped arrowhead?
• In frustration, you went out and
spent several hundred dollars
for every grinding jig on the
market, only to discover they
had not reached the level of a
pencil sharpener?
• You sent your tools to a
sharpening service only to
have them sharpened like a
saw blade?
Sharpening takes some knocks
because some turners see it as a task
or chore to be endured and not as
a skill—just like turning—that will
take time to learn. The good news is
that sharpening is closely related to
Don’t be too bashful in grinding tools. You really can’t hurt them—you only shorten them.
the skill of woodturning.
At one time every conceivable
woodworker learned sharpening and joiner knives, router bits or bits and cutters that require no
AW 18:3, p52, AW 18:4, p56

skills as part of their activity— shaper cutters—either these are sharpening, just replacement. Alas,
whether it be sharpening saw throwaways or cutting tools sent the poor woodturner still must
blades, axes, spokeshaves, chisels, to specialty shops. Even the other learn to sharpen. However, there are
or plane irons. Today however, few domain where sharpening was numerous benefits from learning
cabinet or furnituremakers sharpen essential to learn—that of carving— this skill.
circular or bandsaw blades, planer has often been replaced by spinning

4 • Learn to Sharpen All Your Turning Tools www.woodturner.org

 Here’s how sharpening skills Working with dull tools is slow speed water grinders to be my
mimic woodturning: You take like trying to drive your car first choice for a grinder. Ditto for
a turning tool and place it on a a belt or disc sander either. At least
tool rest, it meets a round object
with flat tires—it just isn’t 90 percent of the turners I know
approaching the edge, and you very satisfying. worldwide use a wheel grinder—and
manipulate the cutting edge. Sounds for good reason.
like what we do as turners, right? No, power equipment is the Here’s my grinder preference:
Learn the skill to sharpen and you are order of the day for a host of reasons, an 8" dry wheel grinder, with
learning turning—and vice versa. not the least of which is the type of either variable speed or a fixed rate
If sharpening frustrates you, tool steels used today. Most turning of 1725 (or 1800), a rock-solid tool
you may need to adopt a tried and tools currently being sold are not just rest system, and at least one decent
true learning strategy: a progression higher heat-working steels but also wheel. The 8" wheel offers a lot over
from simple and relatively easy higher wear-resistant steels. Your smaller and larger wheels: the 8"
activities to something difficult and grandpappy’s Arkansas oil stone is has 25 percent more surface area
more complex. If you think about it, going to have a tough go on a Glaser than a 6" wheel per revolution.
this is how most skills are acquired. V-15 tool or on most of the English, This translates to greater efficiency,
If you take up playing the fiddle, Canadian, and Australian tools now cooler grinding, and a much longer
you don’t start with the Brahms on the market. And the fact that too wear period before replacement.
violin concerto as your first task. many tools need major reshaping The 10" and greater diameter wheels
You probably start with playing from their new condition, we will leave too little of a hollow-grind for
notes, then scales, Yankee Doodle, need some power assistance to do me—and I use the concave surface
and finally progress in difficulty at the job. as a two-point honing jig (see Spring
the rate of your learning. The same 2002 article).
path that works for learning math, Buying your I prefer the dry wheel as the
cooking, computers, golf, drawing, grinder and wheels action is towards me—this allows
driving, and sailing holds true of I find that it is not as simple as me to determine a lot of things from
sharpening turning tools. “anything will work” for a grinder. the spark trail: where I am grinding,
The good news to all of this If you have a 3600 rpm grinder with the degree of grinding, and when to
is that learning those simple tasks a 120-grit gray wheel, 1/2" wide and stop grinding (sparks just trail over
first has several benefits: Most of worn down to 4" in diameter—it will the top of the tool). With a water-
those tasks are also foundational— be tough sledding. Nor do I find the type grinder, the action is away from
not just easy—and will be the
basis for learning the more
difficult maneuvers.
I wonder how many folks
have quit woodturning over the
years because they either could Light
not sharpen the tools or found
Mirror
they spent more time sanding
than turning? So, if you are early
on in your career as a turner or
you are still frustrated about this
sharpening thing, join me and try
this progressive order of learning to Tool rest
sharpening your tools.
To begin with, you can’t shape
and sharpen your tools by hand.
We can certainly hone the tools
by hand—but honing only keeps a
sharp tool sharp or regains a small
Strong and sturdy tools rests, good lighting, solid mounting and at least one good
loss of keenness on a cutting-type
wheel are minimal requirements for a reliable grinder. The tool rest on the left is an
turning tool. after-market rest. A supporting strap was added to the right rest for increased rigidity.

www.woodturner.org Learn to Sharpen All Your Turning Tools • 5

me and there is no longer a spark Thoughts on grinding is a 60-grit on the left side of my
trail. Those grinders are fantastic for wheels and dressers grinder (I am right handed; reverse
carbon-steel tools like plane irons, First, work with the widest wheel this if you are a lefty) and a 36-grit
cabinet makers chisels, scissors you can fit to your grinder. In most on the other side.
and the like—but not a first choice cases this is 3/4" or 1"—but the wider And finally, how hard should
with most turners. I like the slower the better. Next, throw away your the stone be? Most stones—but not
1725 speed for a grinder. As I aim to gray wheels. Spend a lot or spend a some of the real cheapies—indicate
remove minimal material, the 1725 little, but acquire at least one decent the hardness as shown in the photo.
speed grinder has a cooler action, grinding wheel to sharpen with. This makes a difference in its friable
and I just find it a more gentle action The wheels I would suggest are quality and how well it performs
than a 3600 rpm screamer (those friable aluminum oxide—now in on tougher steels. Stone hardness
seem to double my mistakes!). We patriotic colors of red (okay, often follows the alphabet scale from soft
are now seeing two-speed grinders pink), white, and blue. The word to hard as you go down the alphabet.
and infinitely adjustable grinders “friable” refers to the ability of the Most of the stones commonly found
on the market, which will probably stone to fracture, exposing fresh range from H through K. My first
be common with most grinders at grinding surfaces as you use it. Gray choice is a J followed by the K.
some point. wheels usually are not very friable, Almost as critical as a good
If the tool rest assembly is flimsy, the cutting particles round over, thus stone is a dresser. These are tools that
I cannot consistently grind my tools reducing grinding ability and often perform a number of functions: true
nor is it really safe to do so. Place glazing and generating considerable the wheel to the axis of your grinder,
your thumb in the center of the heat. The color code of these wheels flatten the face of the wheel, remove
tool rest of your grinder and push makes them easy to spot. However, the buildup of metal particles, and
down. You should feel virtually zero there really is a difference between a expose or sharpen the abrasive
give—if it feels springy, improve or $10 wheel and $100 wheel. particles. There are several choices:
replace. You can add extra support My advice: If you have an 8" star-wheel, gray dressing stick, boron
strapping, build a wooden rest, or grinder look for wheels that sell for carbide stick, and diamond. I prefer
purchase one of several after-market between $25 and $55 and you’ll be the multiple diamond dresser (not a
accessory rests. Also, the rest should fine. Two other critical aspects of single point) in a round or tee shape.
be adjustable both in angle and the the wheels: grit size and hardness. I Keep it by the grinder, and use it
ability to slide towards the stone to like to work with two different grits lightly but frequently.
accommodate for wear as well as on my grinder. For initial shaping of Finally, deal with the hazards
keeping the rest close to the stone for a tool or any other heavy grinding associated with tool grinding.
safety purposes. Finally, a light is a operation, I rely on a 36- or 46-grit One of the greatest hazards is to
worthwhile accessory to the grinder wheel. For the actual process of protect yourself from flying particles,
if one did not come attached to it. sharpening an edge, I prefer either whether they are grit from the
a 60- (the new 54-grits are close wheel or pieces of steel removed in
enough) or 80-grit. My ideal setup

Wheel dresser examples left to right: gray It is challenging to look at a wheel and guess its grit size and hardness. Most stones have
dressing stick, tee diamond, round diamond, a code—in this case, the bottom row of numbers.The most important codes to a turner are
star-wheel. In the foreground is a boron circled. The “54” designates grit size; “J” indicates the hardness designation.
carbide stick.

6 • Learn to Sharpen All Your Turning Tools www.woodturner.org

the grinding process. The plastic What is most common is to
shields on most grinders are wear a quality respirator, one rated
worthless to see through after a for small particulate matter. And
short time—a full face shield is my finally, keep the pinch and crush
first choice followed by goggles. factor to a minimum by always
Only use a grinder with metal working with the tool rest as close to 60° to 45° bevel angle
shrouds to contain the wheel just in the wheel as possible.
case it shatters into pieces.
Another serious hazard is the Order of learning
dust produced from grinding. I like From my own learning and watching
to think of it as ground up glass. I hundreds of students try to learn the Illustrations: Angelo Iafrate
know of no turners who use a wet sharpening process, I recommend One version of a side-cutting scraper
dust collecting system to direct the learning the turning tools in
grinding dust into—but this is more this order:
common with jewelers and other 1. Scrapers (all shapes, but not some of the most straightforward
metal workers. And, of course, don’t including profile scrapers) to sharpen. Few turners struggle
direct the dust into your normal 2. Parting Tools with these tools in getting the basic
wood dust collecting system—think 3. Skew Chisels We’ll cover the process, and we
of the drama of sparks and wood above tools in this issue. don’t have to be too fussy about
dust meeting! 4. Roughing Gouges shapes, angles, and multi facets on
5. Detail Gouges the ground face.
6. Bowl Gouges The first rule of sharpening
turning tools: Profile the tool first,
1. Sharpening scrapers then pull a bevel up to meet that
These are tools, of almost any profile. For a scraper, personal
shape, that are intended primarily preference determines the shape.
to cut with a burr and not rub the You will probably discover that the
bevel on the wood. Yes, I know we slight dome on a new “round nose”
violate both of those guidelines scraper you just bought isn’t very
from time to time, but that does not rounded. You may even find you
help someone who is starting out. don’t use one side of the rounded
Of all the turning tools, scrapers are end, so it may take on the shape of

Woodturning scraping tools are quite similar to the cabinetmaker’s scrapers (background,
shown with a burnisher). Both types of scrapers usually cut with a burr and both can make
use of a burnisher to raise that burr. Turning scrapers are thicker and heavier in weight and
come (or can be made into) in an array of shapes for specific purposes.

www.woodturner.org Learn to Sharpen All Your Turning Tools • 7

a side-ground scraper. Whatever a cabinetmaker’s burnisher or the
the specific need or your style of honing stone.
turning, shape the tool first. By using one of the other
Next, rough in the bevel angle. methods, I find it easier to produce
When most of these tools are new, different types of burrs—some for
I find the bevel to be 80 to even 90 heavy work, some for fine finishing
degrees below the cutting edge. I work. In those cases where the burr
believe manufacturers started with is too aggressive for a particular
the notion that a scraper needs a lot piece of wood (you may feel it
of support under the edge since you “picking” at the wood rather than a
don’t have the secondary fulcrum smooth leveling action), try scraping
of a bevel-rubbing tool to add extra with a sharp edge—produced by 25°
an
gle
support (your tool rest is the primary grinding—then removing the burr
fulcrum). Unless your scrapers are on top with a flat honing stone. This Diamond-section parting tool (profile and
1/8" thick, this is a bad notion. is similar to the action of scraping angles same as rectangular tool)
As a matter of fact, if I am using with the edge of a knife or the
the tool at a scraping angle (with furnituremaker scraping the top of
no bevel support) and the bevel a table with a large piece of broken the cutting edge. Flip over the tool
inadvertently touches the wood, glass. When you work a sharp edge and repeat the same procedure on
I can get a catch. I treat the bevels in a scraping action, it may quickly the other side. The objective is to
on scrapers as clearance angles, so dull the edge. However for that produce a single facet with a slight
mine are ground between 45 to 60 window of doing fine scraping, it hollow grind. If your movements
degrees. I also don’t have to worry may be just the ticket. are controlled and steady, this
about single facets and a hollow all happens. If jerky, uneven,
grind on the ground bevel: I don’t 2. Parting tools inconsistent, too much pressure,
hone the bevel on these tools so it There are several variations of this “grind and look” and “grind and
is not as critical as it is with other tool, but the most common is a look,” then things probably won’t be
turning tools. However, grinding rectangular section of steel with the so good.
uniform bevels on these tools cutting edge in the middle that’s Go slow, be deliberate, leave
is great practice for all the tools ground on both sides. This is a great the tool on the wheel, and use only
to follow. tool to learn cutting tool sharpening enough pressure as it takes to keep
The process for sharpening is as it has a relatively small area to the tool from bouncing on the rest.
straightforward. After profiling, grind (the edge is usually no greater I am always surprised how much
proceed to grind the bevel to than 1/4") and the edge is in a of grinding and turning is really
match the profile. If you need some flat plane. about feeling your way along rather
assistance early on in sharpening, For profiling, make sure the edge than seeing.
set the tool rest angle to that 45- to is ground straight across, and the In grinding, most of the action
60-degree window. Start at the back included angles of the ground bevels is on the other side of what you can
of the bevel, keeping the tool flat are around 25 degrees. Fortunately, see. We can help the looking part
on the rest, and progress along the new parting tools most often arrive along—especially when learning
cutting edge until sparks just come profiled in an acceptable manner— the process—by placing our head to
over the top. I don’t look for a heavy not sharp mind you, but routinely the side of the grinder or by the use
stream of sparks, but consistent shaped fine. To sharpen, either set of a mirror (attributed to a North
“tracer bullets” that tell me I have the tool rest at the approximate Carolina turner). In time, most of
reached the cutting surface. angle desired, use the edge of the your grinding will be by feel and
Being a scraper, the raised burr rest as a steady, or use your fingers to watching the spark trail to give the
will be my cutting edge at least 90 adjust the angle. additional feedback.
percent of the time. I can use the Start at the back of the bevel
burr right off of the grinder (useful (called the “heel”), keep the edge
if heavy stock removal is called horizontal, and lap from side to
for) or remove that burr with a flat side on the wheel until you just
stone and pull up a new burr with see sparks trailing over the top of

8 • Learn to Sharpen All Your Turning Tools www.woodturner.org

3. Skew chisels
Fortunately, the sharpening of a Bevel length:
skew chisel is similar to the parting Thickness of blade x 1.5
tool: two ground flat planes that
meet to form a cutting edge. The Approximately 70°
from point to point
only real difference is in the skewed
angle of the cutting end—essentially
a clearing and viewing advantage
over a square-across chisel.
Again, profile the tool first. For
a “traditional” straight-edged skew,
I recommend 70 degrees from point
to point. Rather than measuring Until you have a sense of where you are
included angles to measure the grinding on the tool, it’s helpful to either
steepness of the two ground bevels, place your head to the side of the wheel or
make use of a small mirror. The mirror, shown
I use the thickness of the steel as the
above, allows you to see your placement of
reference. Using this method, grind the tool on the wheel. Typical grinding of a skew chisel
the bevels back to approximately
1.5 times the thickness of the blade.
For the sharpening process,
follow these steps: Keep the edge
horizontal and parallel to the face
of the wheel, start at the heel and
lap back and forth. Continue this
process until sparks just trail over the
edge. Flip over the tool and repeat
the same procedure.
If you have an “oval style” skew
(my last choice for a skew) you will
find it wants to wobble rather than
remain in a flat plane. In that case,
maintain pressure in the center of
the tool with a thumb to essentially
lock it into a fixed plane. As an
alternative, investigate a grinding jig
that locks the darn thing in place.
If you are grinding a curved-
edged skew, simply grind the edge
while it is generally parallel to the
face of the wheel. This will require
a rotational motion that follows the
curve of the edge. If the skew plagues
you with multiple facets, go ahead
and set the tool rest to the suggested
bevel angle. Keep the tool flat on the Using the back edge of the tool rest, pivot the curved skew to grind the edge. Using a
rest and follow the above strategies. I rotational movement, grind in the area that is roughly parallel to the face of the wheel.
have had good success just using the
front or back edge of the tool rest as
a point to slide along for a straight
skew or to pivot on while grinding
a curved edge.

www.woodturner.org Learn to Sharpen All Your Turning Tools • 9

Tests for sharpness If you can see the edge, Profiling is fairly straight
of cutting tools there is no edge. forward. Make sure the tool is
If you can see the edge, there is no straight across when viewed from the
edge. Short of turning, this is the top and viewed from the side. You
best test I know. Use an incandescent plane; the dull tool sounds flat or can have the top corners canted back
light to check for any reflection makes a scraping sound. a few degrees, but not canted forward
along the edge; a sharp edge How clean is the surface when (a forward cant will make a more
disappears into a black line. Dull you stop the lathe for inspection? aggressive tool). The bevel angle
spots will reflect light. Sometimes it is a difficult piece of should be approximately 45 degrees.
What comes off the tool, dust wood, but generally a sharp tool Sharpening begins at one
or curls? Even in dry material, a gives far superior results to the corner, with the heel of the bevel
sharp tool forms a longer chip or surface of the wood. touching the wheel and the cutting
ribbon, dull tools produce dust edge parallel to the face of the
or very short chips. 4. Spindle roughing gouge wheel. Rotate the tool in the same
How much effort does it require The spindle roughing gouge is curved plane until you reach the
to remove the material? Unless perhaps the friendliest gouge to use other corner, then return to the
you are roughing out a large piece, and one of the easiest to sharpen. point where you began by rotating
a sharp tool presented at the right It differs from all the previous tools backwards (but still grinding) to
angle is almost effortless; a dull tool (Fall 2003 issue) as we are now into your original motion. I tend to repeat
requires more force. curved edges. Traditionally, the tool these motions until I have lapped
What does the cutting action is a deep U-shape with a straight all the way to the cutting edge. Stop
sound like? A sharp tool makes a across cutting edge. when the sparks just trail over the
sound reminiscent of a sharp hand top of the edge.

Notes on overheating the tool

By now you may have come up against the problem carbon steel tools—and some of my old favorites are
of bluing the grinding surface of the tool. If you have of that steel—quench in water frequently for heavy
high-carbon steel tools, you have a problem: the grinding or delicate points of skew chisels.
steel has now been re-tempered to a hardness that
is too soft to hold an edge for woodturning. If you If you have high-speed tools, don’t quench in water:
have high-speed or high-heat-working tool steel—no the effect may be too shocking for the steel and
problem. But how do you know what kind of steel? possibly produce small fractures at the cutting edge.
The high-speed steels easily handle temperatures of
Generally the high-carbon tool steels produce a 700 to 1000 degrees F with no loss of hardness (bluing
complex, white, bursting spark when placed on the is around 580 degrees F). If the high-speed tools get
grinding wheel. The high-speed steels tend to have too hot to handle (during heavy grinding), I just place
individual, orange sparks. Often the manufacturer them on a large metal heat sink like a lathe bed and
stamps the handle or steel itself with “HSS” or “High take a short break. The best rule for all steels is learn
Speed Steel.” I have found some inexpensive imported to work without generating a lot of excessive heat and
tools stamped with those designations, but sparked eliminate the need for quenching.
like high carbon tools—so be careful.
Here are some suggestions regarding overheating.
First, learn to grind with a lightness of hand and
movement of tool that does not overwork an area,
thereby reducing heat. Second, use friable wheels that
grind cooler, and dress the wheel often. If you have

10 • Learn to Sharpen All Your Turning Tools www.woodturner.org

Grind the bevel
and not the edge. Detail gouge

On the larger roughing gouges,

some turners like to work about
one third of the edge at a time until
that section is fully sharpened.
They make one final pass along the
entire length of the bevel to blend
it all together. The biggest problem
turners seem to have is moving the 30º
Side view
tool edge in and out when trying to
rotate the tool through that large
curved plane. Use your fingers to
create an artificial plane to lock
the tool in. If you have trouble
staying in that 45 degree bevel zone, Top view
set the angle of the tool rest and
maintain downward pressure to
keep the tool flat and thereby in the
correct orientation.
If by chance you have a large
shallow gouge (3/4" or larger) that 5. Detail gouge tool goes by at least four names:
was packaged in your tool set as What’s in a name? A shallow fluted detail gouge, spindle gouge, shallow
a roughing gouge, here are my gouge with a fingernail shape-- gouge, and fingernail gouge. All of
suggestions. Odds are pretty good primarily designed for spindle work these names point to some truth
it has a domed edge (maybe almost and used for detailing work--will about it, but still leads to much
looks like your thumbnail). You be the same tool no matter what confusion. For this article, it’s a
might consider simply grinding we call it. I wish we could some day detail gouge.
it straight across and sharpening standardize a few names for turning This detail gouge is probably
as suggested for the deep-fluted tools, but that’s a lot to ask for. This the first tool to get your goat. (It
roughing gouge.
If you decide to leave it with
that “fingernail” look—in order to
do some detailing work such as large
coves or beads— then approach it the
way you would the detail gouge.

At right are improperly ground gouges:

A: A detail gouge ground too pointy. This

is caused by either rotating the entire tool
parallel to the face of the grinding wheel (as
with a roughing gouge), or over grinding
the sides.
A B C
B: A bowl gouge ground on the side with a
concave profile. This makes an aggressive
tool and one that does a poor job of leveling
if used to shear scrape.

C: A roughing gouge overground along the

edge. This most often shows up as a jagged
or saw-toothed edge.

www.woodturner.org Learn to Sharpen All Your Turning Tools • 11

 trouble detailing elements that are
close together. So, the detail profile
A sharp tool at the
should reflect its intended activities. right cutting angle
Establish a fingernail shape to the is virtually effortless.
cutting edge—thus making the
detail gouge more of a side-cutting
tool, especially when rotated on considerable amounts of steel. Plus,
its side. bowl gouges have at least one tricky
Just as your fingernail would grind that causes some problems.
not grow to a point, so must the The preferred profile is one
end of the tool not be too pointy. of personal choice. Most turners
The analogy with the fingernail is a use one of three common grinds.
Give a protractor a try. good one: the smaller the gouge the What I term “traditional” is shaped
We got a few letters after last more it is like a little fingernail; the exactly like a roughing gouge—
issue’s grinding article about larger the gouge the more it is domed and the sharpening is attended to
grinding the correct angle. This like a thumbnail. I like to profile by in the same manner, only easier
metal protractor—available for holding the tool nearly flat on a tool because of the reduced size. The
about $12—is one inexpensive rest set to about 90 degrees to the “transitional” is one favored by
and reliable solution. wheel. Gauge your progress by the many bowl turners, and may be
view from above—striving to get a the only profile you require on a
balanced radius on both sides of the bowl gouge. Careful study of the
tool (see illustration). Next, rough diagram shows it to be close to
was the first tool I‘m aware of that in an approximate bevel angle of 30 the fingernail shape we put on the
a grinding jig was developed to do degrees. This flatter angle reflects detailing gouge. The side profile
the sharpening.) No tricks of setting the need of the tool to fit between should be straight or a bit convex—
the tool rest at the right angle will details while in use. just avoid concave. Once profiled, I
help, nor will simply rotating the There are several strategies for sharpen in the same manner as the
tool back and forth. Nope, we now matching the edge to the profile, but detail gouge.
have a tool that is in an oval plane I will give you the easiest one for me. The bowl grind that has
with the steel below the edge in Treat the bevel of the tool as having launched more than a few
varying thicknesses. three parts: a middle section, and a commercial and shop-made jigs is
Let me explain. If I shape the right and left side. Start by holding the Irish grind. Although it looks
tool into a fingernail shape, orient the tool with the flute pointed up, formidable with such a long edge,
the tool with the flute facing the contacting the bevel heel in the it is in truth quite tame—if you
grinding wheel, and rotate it along middle section. This will be the have a strategy. Get the profile
a circular path that is parallel to the basis for all detail grinding, and the correct from above, the side, and
face of the wheel, I will probably reference point for grinding of the rough in the steep bevel angle on
produce a pointy or “spear-pointed” bevel middle area or sides. the nose. Then divide the tool into
cutting edge that is not very versatile With a push up and rotation three sections: the two long sides
nor friendly to the user. to the right, move the tool to the and the front nose. Grind the sides
Profiling is essential to the left side of the wheel. Grind as you nearly parallel to the face of the
detail tool. It performs astutely in reverse this action and return to the stone. Finally, grind the small front
forming concave and convex forms original starting point. When both section with the same technique for
in between center work or details sides show sharpness from the spark the detail gouge. I finish with a little
on feet, bases and rims of bowl and trail, blend the center section into blending of the nose into the sides.
vessel work. The shallow draft of its each side.
flute (a low “sweep” if we are talking
to carvers) allows the tool to sneak 6. Bowl gouges
in between details, often on its side I recommend tackling bowl
and do its fine work. gouges last, but not because
The deep fluted roughing they’re extraordinarily difficult.
gouges and bowl gouges have In major reshaping, you’ll remove

12 • Learn to Sharpen All Your Turning Tools www.woodturner.org

Tests for sharpness effortless; a dull tool requires
of cutting tools more force.
• If you can see the edge there • How does the cutting action
is no edge. Short of actually sound? A sharp tool makes
turning, this is the best test a sound reminiscent of a
I know. Use an incandescent sharp hand plane; the dull
Traditional
light to check for any reflection tool sounds flat or makes a grind
along the edge. A sharp edge scraping sound.
disappears into a black line; dull • How clean is the surface 0º to 10º rake angle
spots reflect light. when you stop the lathe for
• What comes off the tool—dust inspection? Generally a sharp
Side view
or curls? Even in dry material, a tool gives far superior results to
sharp tool forms a longer chip or the surface of the wood.
ribbon while dull tools produce
dust or short chips. 30º angle
• How much effort does it require A traditional (fingernail) grind has some
sound applications: the outside of a face
to remove the material? Unless
grain bowl when mounted backwards
you are roughing out a large Top view
(base is at tailstock side) or for opening the
piece, a sharp tool presented interior of a bowl (opening is now facing
at the right angle is almost tailstock side).

www.woodturner.org Learn to Sharpen All Your Turning Tools • 13

 Two ways to sharpen a bowl gouge

About 1"

Transition
grind Irish grind
45º (one variation)
Relief grind
Side view
Side view

60º to 45º bevel angle

70º to 80º bevel angle

Top view
Top view

I recommend the transition grind for new bowl Experienced turners may prefer the more-complicated Irish
turners. You work the outside of a face grain bowl grind. It’s a good roughing tool for bowls, a detailing tool
regardless of the orientation. The ground sides with the elliptical front, a shear-scraping tool, and a tool
provide the opportunity to do a little shear scraping. to make a smoother transition from sides to bottom.

Grinding jigs you just can’t seem to get at all or

This is perhaps sacrilegious, but I consistently. If you fall into one of
am not a big fan of the grinding these camps, get a jig—but at least
jigs. I still find most individuals learn to resharpen your tools by
learn sharpening with no other hand when all that is needed is a
“jig” than their tool rest and light refreshing. The information
hands—at least for most tools. in this article applies to most
But is there a place for the aspects of sharpening whether you
grinding jigs? Yes! For those folks do it freehand or with a grinding
who cannot seem to learn freehand jig. Be forewarned though, jigs still A jig may be helpful in some situations
grinding, those with physical require considerable judgment. of learning to grind.
limitations, those who need a
crutch to get started (like training Alan Lacer (www.woodturninglearn.net)
wheels on your first bike), those is a turner, writer, and instructor living
sharpening a large number of near River Falls, WI.
tools for others (some classroom
or manufacturing situations), or
those one or two difficult tools

14 • Learn to Sharpen All Your Turning Tools www.woodturner.org

 Shaping Tool Edges
David Ellsworth

O
ver time, most turners 1 2 3
develop a working
familiarity with their tools,
or at least a certain confidence in
knowing what a tool is supposed
to do and how to make it work. But
1. Conventional parting tool
when it comes to understanding why
2. Modified with convex edge
a tool works (or doesn’t work), many 3. Ellsworth shop-made tool
people begin to scratch their heads.
It’s that ‘why’ part that I’d like to
address here. Specifically, the more mass a tool The parting tool
Before I get to tool applications, has to support the edge, the more Illustration #1 shows the side view
let me begin with some basic durable it will be, albeit at the sake of a conventional diamond shaped
concepts of tool design that affect of sharpness. Gouges, then, are the parting tool, where the widest part of
all tools. For instance: You get up compromise between the two. They the tip is in the center of the tool.
in the morning and shave. Before sacrifice the sharpness of the skew, Contrast that with Illustration
lunch, you grab your ax and go cut but they gain durability due to the #2, which shows a modification I use
down a tree to turn. Then, after a greater mass supporting the edge. for that same tool. The difference
nice nap, you buck up the sections Friction and abrasion, of is that by grinding a convex shape
with a splitting maul. The razor, the course, will cause any tool to lose under the tip, I have introduced a
ax, and the maul are all cutters in its sharpness. The various grades of small amount of mass to support the
some form. They each have a specific high-speed steel available in today’s edge. The tip of the modified shape
function and are very effective tools, tools will extend edge-life. But some isn’t quite as sharp as the original,
but neither can be used to perform woods are so abrasive they’ll quickly but it works better because it doesn’t
the function of the other ... at least whack the edge off any tool—like vibrate on the wood or burnish as
not efficiently. root burls, which usually contain quickly. The result is that it stays
Now, look at the edges of these pockets of sand, many species of sharp longer. Of course, you can’t flip
tools in cross section and think of Eucalyptus, which contain silica, or it upside down. But, in truth, once
the similarities between the razor any time you’re turning areas of bark the original tool is dull on one side, it
and a skew, the ax and a gouge, the that have been impacted with dust doesn’t work either way.
mall and a scraper. They all have from the wind. Spalted woods can be Illustration #3 shows the side
two surfaces or planes that join to a nightmare, because the black zone view of a parting tool I made myself.
form an edge, and each has a certain lines are not wood anymore. As far as It’s 3/16-in. thick by 5/8-in. wide
amount of mass which supports (or the tool is concerned, they act more scraper turned on its edge, and then
doesn’t support) that edge: the maul like charcoal, and one good slice re-sharpened using the convex/
having the most amount of mass, with your tool and the edge is gone. concave idea from the diamond
the razor the least. Obviously, the Let’s look at some practical shaped tool. Notice that I’ve also
razor and the skew have a sharper applications of specific tools to dropped the tip below the centerline
edge, but because they lack mass, see how this relationship between of the tool. This keeps the tool from
AW 16:1, p38

these edges just don’t stay sharp for sharpness and mass applies to vibrating when cutting.
very long ... they lack durability. cutting efficiency.

www.woodturner.org Shaping Tool Edges • 15

 8 9 12
4 5

12. Top surface on same plane as top of shaft

8. Conventional scraper bevel
9. Steeper bevel for finishing cuts
scraper with a straight tip, I drop
the top surface of the cutter to the
less expensive scrapers look like. centerline of the shaft (Illustration
Illustration #9 shows the same tool #10) to prevent the tool from
4. Blunt edge factory grind but with a steeper bevel so it can grabbing or vibrating on the wood.
5. Custom grind: thinner and sharper be used to make finishing cuts on It’s the same principle described
the inside of a bowl. The steeper above regarding the parting tool.
angle of the bevel in Illustration #9 If the top surface of the tip is above
The skew provides more mass for durability, the centerline, or on the same
Illustrations #4 and #5 show the but sacrifices sharpness. To make the plane as the top surface of the shaft
cross section of two skews. The left tool function, you must add a burr to (Illustration 12), watch out!
one, #4, shows how it usually looks the edge to do the cutting.
straight from the factory with lots It’s worth experimenting with The gouge
of mass behind the tip, but not very different grit wheels on the grinder There are many types of gouges
sharp. The right one, #5, is the way to raise this burr. A 60-grit wheel including spindle, bowl, deep-fluted,
most turners grind the tip to make it will raise a huge burr that is very roughing, detail, hook and loop. But
work properly. Once again, while the aggressive on the wood. But it will the principles of what I’m describing
custom-ground thinner blade shown also wear away quickly, leaving a here apply to all. The steep vertical
in #5 is sharper, it lacks durability so jagged edge that clogs up with dust angle of the edge in the gouge shown
it must be re-honed more frequently from the wood and stalls the cut. in Illustration #13 is fine for cutting
to keep a fine edge. The difference Conversely, a 120-grit wheel may not across the bottom of a deep bowl
between the conventional straight- raise enough of a burr to do the work. where you need to keep the bevel in
bladed skew, Illustration #6, and In my experience, a coarser burr
the radius, or convex-blade design, works well with softer woods and 13
Illustration #7, is that the radius skew a finer burr works best with harder
presents slightly less physical contact woods ... but that’s only a personal
of the edge to the wood during the preference, not a rule.
cut. With less of the edge touching When you are using a small- 13. Side view of steep vertical edqe for
tipped scraper with deep hollowing cutting bottom of bowl
6 7
tools, you will gain increased
control of the tip when the bevel contact with the wood. But it’s not
angle is steeper, like the one shown as sharp or as versatile as the gouges
in Illustration #10. The bevel angle shown in Illustrations #14a and #14b.
shown in Illustration #11 gives a To further illustrate the
6. Conventional skew sharper edge to the tip, but is so importance of the relationship of
7. Radiused Skew
aggressive that it may be too difficult mass to sharpness, we only have
to control ... it’s just one of those odd to look at what’s commonly called
the wood, and assuming the mass cases when the tip is too sharp! As the shearing cut, or the shear-
and shape of the two tools is the well, when using a deep hollowing scraping cut. This cut can be done
same, the radius design creates a bit either with a gouge with a drawn
less drag on the wood and, therefore, 10 11 back edge (Illustration #14b) or
it gives more energy to the cut. a scraper, by placing the edge of
the tool approximately 45 degrees
The scraper diagonally across the surface of the
Illustration #8 shows another side- wood. Regardless of which tool is
view example of what many of the 10. Steep bevel gives better control used, it must have a burr on the
11. Sharper tip is too aggressive

16 • Shaping Tool Edges www.woodturner.org

14a 14b what you want the tool to do. I grind the tool. Try to re-position
hone all my skews and gouges for your body by spreading your feet
spindle turning, because I want apart and unlocking your knees.
a super edge to do the work ... This will allow you to move freely
knowing that the edge will quickly as you continue to practice the
14a and 14b. Side view where angles of edges
are drawn back to create sharper edges burnish away and need to be re- movement of the tool across the
honed. But my preference is not to wheel. Open your eyes to see if the
hone bowl gouges, because a burr tool is still in the center of the wheel.
edge, as a honed edge will simply edge works fine for rough-cutting Now close them again.
be burnished away on the first cut. both green and dry woods. As well,
When shear cutting with a tool that I use a shearing cut instead of a Release tension
has a thin, skew-like cross section, conventional bevel cut for my final Focus on relieving tension wherever
as in Illustration #15, the lack of surface and without the burr the you feel it. What you are learning is
mass supporting the edge will cause shearing cut just won’t work. the process of grinding, without the
the tool to vibrate on the wood. To And I use 100-grit aluminum tension and without wasting away
eliminate this vibration, simply use oxide grinding wheels, because they the tool. Practice this for a minimum
a tool with more mass behind the produce the right size of a burr to do of five minutes. It will feel eternal,
edge, as in Illustration #16. the job and one that doesn’t wear but you will be forever rewarded.
away as fast as a burr produced by a When you do turn on the
15 16 60 or 80 grit wheel. grinder, the tension will likely
return, so continue to focus on
Learning to sharpen relaxing those areas of the body
As a teacher of woodturning, I would wherever the tension appears. This
be remiss if I didn’t offer a few tips on takes practice, but the less tension
15. Thin skew-like edge can cause vibration learning how to sharpen these tools. in the body, the lighter your touch
16. Additional mass behind edge If you find yourself over-grinding will be of the tool to the wheel and
reduces vibration your tools, you’re probably learning the more successful you will be in
two basic things: How to raise your dressing the bevel. Most important,
level of frustration, and how to waste be conscious not to force the tool
Another cause of vibration away a good tool! against the wheel. You can also
comes from tools that are thin and Consider that when you go to practice this method of turning the
very long, like a 1/4-jn. gouge that is the grinder, you are NOT trying to machine off and closing your eyes on
8-in. long, or a long skinny parting sharpen the tool. Instead, you simply any cut you make on the lathe. It’s
tool, or a thin-bladed scraper. It want to dress the bevel. If the bevel a wonderful way of learning how to
seems as if all you have to do is is properly dressed, the tool will be move with the cuts instead of forcing
look at these tools and they begin sharp. It’s automatic. them. And when you’re moving
to vibrate, and I wouldn’t want to Try this. Turn the grinder off. properly, everything just seems to
dangle one of them out over the tool Bring the tool to the wheel in your work a whole lot better.
rest just to prove my point. With the usual manner, either with your
gouge and the parting tool, I simply hands or in a sharpening jig. Make a David Ellsworth is a full-time studio
cut these tools in half! It may seem few slow passes on the non-rotating woodturner who teaches turning
like a waste of both steel and money, wheel so that you feel comfortable. at his home in Pennsylvania. Sketches
but at least they work properly. With Now close your eyes. What you will by the author.
any of these tools, always keep the now feel is your body, and all the
tool rest as close as possible to the tension that has built up in it, mostly
workpiece to reduce the vibration. in your neck and your hands. Relax
that death grip so that your fingers
Should you hone? are simply cradling the tool instead
To hone or not to hone? Now, that of clamped to it. You will also feel
is a good question! Habits and your toes, your knees, and all the
traditions being what they are, other body parts that are keeping
honing a tool really depends on you from falling over when you

www.woodturner.org Shaping Tool Edges • 17

Testing the Steel in Turning Tools
Alan Lacer

F
or several thousand years, a I wanted to see if at least the steel at three points on the sample to arrive
piece of steel (or at least a steel- was the same. The traditional way of at an average hardness.
edged tool) came between determining whether a tool is high- Costs for each test ranged from
the woodturner and the wood. carbon or HSS was with a spark test at $50 to $150 per turning tool, a fee that
Although the skill of the turner is a the grinder. This test turned out not most turners would never consider for
huge consideration in woodturning, to be foolproof, as some tools sparked a tool costing as little as $6 in some
the properties of the turning tool as HSS, but lacked sufficient quantities instances. The lab’s sampling of steel
influence such things as longevity of of those materials that produce the effectively destroyed the tool.
the cutting edge (how long it holds benefits of the genuine article. According to Dr. Jeryl Wright
an edge), whether it tends to break or of Crucible Materials Corporation,
bend easily, and how the tool reacts there are no legal definitions of
to heat (whether in use on wood or HSS. However, there are American
while grinding). and international standards
Since the 1980s, the transition and definitions. The common
from high-carbon steel woodturning understanding of HSS is steel that
tools (0.5 to just over 2 percent carbon) will resist softening at higher
to high-speed-steel tools (iron, carbon, temperatures (usually can withstand
and additional alloys) is now nearly a dull red heat, around 1,000˚F) and
complete in the sale of new tools. excellent wear resistance.
Few high-carbon steel tools are More specifically:
now available for sale in the USA “High-speed steels are high-alloy,
(usually only from sources of used Sections of lathe tools embedded in tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium,
items and estate sales). High-speed composite materials and prepared for and cobalt bearing steels designed
steel (HSS) was developed for the metal emission (spark) test. to cut other materials efficiently at
trades and has been around for more high speeds, and must stand up to the
than 100 years, but is a relatively new Tests at certified lab extreme heat generated at the tool’s
steel for the woodturner. The tests were conducted at Stork cutting edge. This heat can reach
Although steel manufactured in Material Technology (storksmt.com), a 1,000˚F and more depending on cutting
Sheffield, England, dominated the tool certified laboratory in Huntington conditions, coolants used, and other
market for decades, there has been a Beach, California. The warning at operational factors.”
flood of HSS turning tools in recent the bottom of each Stork test stated:
years coming into the market from the “The recording of false, fictitious, or Qualities of HSS
Far East (primarily from China). fraudulent statements or entries on The Crucible Tool Steel and Specialty
This influx of inexpensive the certificate may be punishable as a Alloy Selector handbook outlines HSS
imported tools, often at a fraction of felony under federal law.” characteristics for good cutting-
the price of the English turning tools, Stork’s process involved the tool performance:
really caught my attention. But with cutting up of each tool and subjecting • High attainable hardness,
spiraling shipping costs and steel it to a chemical analysis by optical usually a minimum hardness
prices, how can these tools be sold as emissions. This process analyzes the of HRC 63. Typical metal-
AW 23:2, p52

high-speed steel (sometimes stated as spectra from an arcing area of the cutting tools may be HRC
M2), some at prices below the price of a sample. In addition, the Rockwell 64–68, depending on grade
handle on the English tools? Hardness C Scale (HRC) was measured and application. High carbon

18 • Testing the Steel in Turning Tools www.woodturner.org

 content, along with elements tungsten and/or molybdenum toughness and effective stress-
to promote a more thorough contents promote these properties. relieving.
hardening process, are common When needed, cobalt further • Air-cool to room temperature
to all HSS for this purpose. enhances red hardness. between tempers.
• High wear resistance to The experts I spoke to believe
promote edge retention during Heat-treating HSS that the lower-than-normal levels of
cutting. Constant abrasion The heat treating of HSS is an involved hardness in some of the samples in
wears away tool surfaces. The process. The Crucible Tool Steel the test may have been due to errors
high volumes of wear-resistant handbook referenced also outlines the in the heat-treating process rather
carbides in HSS micro-structures recommended process for M2 HSS (the than a conscious choice to make a
aids in resisting this abrasion. most common steel used in English- softer tool. The heat treating of HSS is
• Sufficient impact toughness made tools): a most critical part of the toolmaking
to handle interrupted cutting • Preheat to 1,500–1,550˚F. process—one that must be done
applications, to avoid chipping • High-heat to 2,100–2,225˚F for precisely and with great care.
during cutting, and to avoid 2 to 5 minutes.
breakage in fragile tools. HSS are • Quench in salt bath or oil Powders and cryogenics
notably tougher than carbide or to 1,000–1,100˚F, then air- There are two terms related to turning
ceramic materials. cool to hand warm (150˚F). tools that confuse many turners.
• High hardness at elevated Temper immediately. First is the use of powdered or
temperatures involves both red • Temper at 1,000˚F or higher particle metals (PM). This is a process
hardness (the ability to stay hard two times for at least two hours. in steel making that yields tiny
at elevated temperature during Tempering at 1,025˚F yields a rounded particles rather than a large
cutting) and temper resistance 63.5 HRC, while tempering at ingot of steel. The particles are then
(the ability to resist permanent 1,050˚F yields a 62.6 HRC. Both compressed under heat and high
softening over time due to high are optimum for maximum pressure. This process yields a more
temperature exposure). The consistent steel and one with greater

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Packard (Hamlet) 2.30 0.00 0.00 0.00 10.70 0.77 4.00 0.00 7.10 0.00 6.60 6.50 B1 68.0 20605
UK

Sorby 0.91 0.27 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.24 4.03 0.00 4.79 0.00 1.75 5.96 B1 65.0 M26
UK

0.87 0.40 0.03 0.02 0.00 0.30 3.95 0.00 4.55 0.00 1.83 5.99 B1 64.0 M26
CHINA CHINA CHINA CHINA CHINA CHINA CHINA CHINA CHINA

Apprentice (Craft Supplies)

Benjamin’s Best (eBay2) 0.85 0.35 0.02 0.02 0.02 1.18 4.50 0.07 0.29 0.11 0.12 2.41 B1 65.0 UN7
Benjamin’s Best (Penn State) 0.86 0.62 0.03 0.02 0.05 0.36 3.91 0.11 4.73 0.15 1.93 6.34 B1 58.0 M26
Bodger (Highland Hardware) 1.05 0.39 0.03 0.01 0.02 0.50 4.11 0.05 0.45 0.12 0.40 2.46 B1 57.0 UN7
Grizzly 0.85 0.37 0.02 0.01 0.23 0.61 4.13 0.15 2.18 0.15 0.97 4.37 B1 62.0 HSS8
Harbor Freight 0.74 0.17 0.02 0.01 0.00 0.27 4.11 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.04 17.61 B1 62.2 T16
Pinnacle (Woodcraft) 0.87 0.70 0.03 0.02 0.00 0.36 4.21 0.00 4.81 0.00 2.03 6.23 B1 61.7 M26
Sears Craftsman 0.82 0.26 0.0 0.00 0.03 0.56 4.10 0.11 3.97 0.09 0.97 0.05 B1 61.0 M509
Shopsmith3 0.94 0.11 0.02 0.01 0.09 0.22 4.02 0.11 4.50 0.14 1.68 5.84 B1 64.0 M26
1. Balance of tool composition is iron. 5. 2060 is a particle or powdered metal (PM) HSS with 7. Unknown steel. Failed high-speed steel (HSS) test as 8. Meets the minimum amounts to be called an
2. Purchased new via eBay auction. extremely high wear-resistance properties. defined by the American Society for Testing Materials intermediate HSS.
3. Part of a 4-piece bowl-turning set (not the standard 6. M2 and T1 are long-established HSS compositions (ASTM). 9. M50 is a HSS, primarily used for bearings, but with
5-piece Shopsmith turning set). with good track records. HSS must contain specified amounts of carbon, low-wear resistance.
4. Interpretations contributed by Stork laboratory chromium, vanadium, tungsten, and molybdenum.
technicians, Dr. Jeryl Wright, and Jerry Glaser.

www.woodturner.org Testing the Steel in Turning Tools • 19

As a general guideline, high-carbon steel sparks remind some turners of As a general guideline, high-speed steel (HSS) sparks remind some
sparklers. At the grinder, you should notice a complex shower of sparks. turners of tracer bullets and tend to be individual sparks. Note: This
test is not always conclusive for HSS.

toughness (a steel’s ability to resist don’t meet HSS standards, it has several Remaining questions
breaking under stress or shock). choices. It can relabel that shipment, Important questions remain about
The other term is cryogenic deleting the HSS claim. Or it can refuse steel for turners:
treatment of steel. This is a cold the batch, insisting that the supplier • How would each of the steels
treatment of between 100–300˚F below correct the problem. react to “bluing,” which can
zero. According to Dr. Wright and Jerry As a turner, I am afraid “buyer easily occur at the grinder and
Glaser, cryogenic treatment done as beware” does not work with steel even while in use.
a step in the tempering process (after content and how well it was heat • Much has been made about
the first temper, but before the second) treated. I may have to use a tool to find differences of sharpness in
yields a tool that is more uniform in its out its properties. This is a challenge for steels: Some turners believe
heat treating and will offer the inexperienced turner to judge. high-carbon steel gets sharper
increased steel toughness. There are some good buys among than HSS, others believe M2
Some experts question whether the legitimate HSS turning tools. gets sharper than the high-wear
cryogenic treatment performed after And, many tools are a sound choice steels such as A11, M4, 2030
the heat-treating process produces any for someone just entering the world and 2060.
improvement in the steel’s properties. of woodturning.
Special thanks for assistance with this
Observations, conclusions Other tool shortcomings test to the late Jerry Glaser, tool maker
First, beware of generalizations because The design adequacy of the tools extraordinaire and AAW Honorary
the test results were for a single tool (shape and thickness of the steel, Liftetime Member, and Dr. Jeryl
from the company’s inventory. All not the edge profile) is a hard one for Wright, vice president of Technology
tools were purchased recently through the beginner to judge. Some of the for Crucible Materials Corporation and
regular retail catalog channels or new tools were lightweights or had designs one of the largest makers of specialty
through Internet sales. that were not well thought out. Also, tool steels in the USA. Both men are
Second, let’s not forget that a proper heat treating is an unknown. woodturners, so knowledge of both steel
skilled turner can achieve gallery- For consistent and predictable and woodturning are special strengths
quality work with any of the tools tools, true HSS must be forged and of these two individuals.
listed here. With that said, some hardened correctly. One of the
tools will hold an edge poorly Sheffield, England, toolmakers Alan Lacer (alan@alanlacer.com) is a
compared to other steels and some reported that his company performs woodturner, writer, and teacher living
will not hold up to heating as low as a hardness spot test on each batch of near River Falls, WI.
525˚F (bluing occurs around 570˚F). tools delivered from its heat-treating
The more serious problem resides facility. If even one sample doesn’t
in purchasing tools sold as HSS but are measure up to the company standards,
in fact not. If a company spot-checks the entire lot is returned to the
its supplier and discovers that the tools heat treater.

20 • Testing the Steel in Turning Tools www.woodturner.org

 Grinder Wheels
Bill Neddow

speed. Which is best? Probably the

one you have. The main difference
between the 6" and 8" grinder wheels
is the amount of use you get out of
them. When a 6" wheel gets down
to 5" (13 cm), I generally change the
wheel. But I use an 8" wheel until
it is about 6", which is a substantial
amount of extra grinding. Yes, it
costs more to begin with, but you
quickly recoup the extra cost. Is it
worth buying a new grinder, though?
Probably not, unless you are in
continual production mode.
More important than the wheel
size is the speed of the grinder. There
are high-speed (3450 rpm) and low-
speed (1725 rpm) grinders. Low-speed
grinders are increasingly popular

M
ost people don’t realize they of practice make it easy for them to with woodturners because of the lack
might need specialized roll the tool over the grinder wheel by of heat buildup during use. At a lower
grinder wheels when hand and get a perfect edge, whether speed, there is less chance of bluing—
they begin their adventure with it is an old gray grinder wheel or the heating the metal to a blue color. In
woodturning. The first thing they latest ceramic ones. the old days, this was considered a
think of is usually a lathe. Next, The rest of us, however, terrible thing to do, with good reason.
turning tools and wood. Maybe appreciate all the help we can The carbon-steel tools—all we had
sharpening enters into the process get. When we are starting, it is until the last twenty years—lose their
at some point, but grinder wheels? particularly important to simplify temper if the metal turns blue from
Nobody thinks of them. the process and have the most heat buildup when grinding. The
Having proper wheels on your appropriate equipment. tools would not hold an edge and had
grinder makes woodturning simpler I spent more than a decade as a to be ground back significantly to get
and more pleasant than struggling production turner and used a wide rid of the soft metal, wasting metal
to sharpen tools with improper variety of grinder wheels. I have and grinding grit.
equipment. Quality wheels that are tested all the popular types—and The newer high-speed and
balanced and suitable for your needs some not so popular. Some wheels powdered-metal tools are much less
will make sharpening easy. Sharp work quite well, but I have a cabinet susceptible to overheating, but it can
tools make turning fun. full of wheels that do not. Now I want still happen, especially if you put
The old pros can sharpen to share those experiences with you. some pressure on the tool and take it
successfully with just about any beyond the blue stage. Many people
Grinder size and speed
AW 26:2, p23

grinder and grinder wheel. They recommend dunking a tool in cool

probably don’t even use a jig to hold I have used 6" and 8" (15 cm and water to keep the heat level down.
the tool at the proper angle. Decades 20 cm) grinders both high and low I have done this and seemed to get

www.woodturner.org Grinder Wheels • 21

 steel. Hard wheels that happens, the normal reaction
are particularly is to press harder, increasing the
prone to heat. If you have to use a gray wheel,
getting dull. clean it often and use a light touch
when grinding.
Gray wheels
As I mentioned, White wheels
those who have White wheels became popular
been turning for about twenty years ago. They were
quite some time can do a considered a solution to all of our
good job of sharpening using sharpening problems. And, to a
Three aluminum oxide wheels are currently the hard gray wheels that normally certain extent, they were. They were
available. The gray one on the left came on
a new grinder and is meant for grinding soft come with a grinder. For many of these soft and did not burn hard steel tools
steel. The white wheel in the center was also turners, this was all they had, so they as readily. (Most were about an H
on the grinder and is a little too coarse for learned to live with the grinder wheel’s grade.) The softer the wheel, the less
woodturners’ sharpening needs, but would limitations. Gray wheels are designed heat buildup.
be suitable for major reshaping of a tool.
to stand up to the terrible punishment There was a downside, however.
The blue stone is distributed by Oneway
Mfg. and is a type that is designed for associated with metalworking shops It was easy to wear a groove in a
woodturners’ needs. Note: it is rated for where thick steel plate is ground, bolts white wheel. As a result, more time
4,140 rpm, so is meant for a high-speed shortened, and other heavy-duty jobs was spent dressing the wheels to
grinder. Stones are also made specifically performed. Heavy pressure is usually get rid of grooves, causing most of
for slow-speed grinders.
put on the wheel and the metals are the wheel to be ground away by
away with it; however, it can lead soft. Gray wheels are very hard, so the dresser, removing ripples and
to microscopic cracks in the sharp they can do these jobs while lasting a grooves on the face of the wheel,
edge. It is better to use a light touch reasonable length of time. They also white powder piling up. The wheels
when sharpening a tool to avoid tend to heat up the metal, which is not did not last long but did a good job
heat in the first place. a problem in most applications. of sharpening. Another problem
If you have a high-speed We woodturners, however, was that with the quick wear, my
grinder, there are wheels made are performing a light-duty job on grinding jig had to be constantly
specifically for them. Oneway very hard tempered steel—simply readjusted in order to maintain the
Mfg., for example, sells wheels renewing an edge on an already same angles on my tools.
recommended for use with high- sharpened tool. The tool’s hardness
speed grinders. These wheels tend to and the resulting heat are our enemy. Blue wheels
be harder than the low-speed ones, Gray wheels tend to glaze over easily After white wheels came blue wheels,
so don’t mix them up. Personally, and stop cutting efficiently. When which are still popular. They are
I prefer the lower-speed wheels harder, but not hard enough to cause
because I tend to grind off less of my major problems with overheating
tool at each sharpening. the steel. They sharpen tools
quickly and easily. They are
Dressing the wheel great workhorses and last
Speed is not the only thing that longer. I continue to use them.
causes heat. A dull wheel is a major They are a great compromise
culprit. Dress your wheel as soon as for light use on hard metals.
it is not cutting efficiently. When
the abrasive particle contacting the Wheel grit
steel is sharp, a metal shaving is All these wheels are made from
milled from the steel and ejected. aluminum oxide, the workhorse
This removes a significant amount of the metal industry, and they are
of generated heat in a spray of Ceramic wheels. On the left is a Norton SG relatively inexpensive and do a good
wheel and on the right, the 3X wheel. Both
red sparks. A wheel with dull cut faster and cooler than aluminum oxide
job. The blue wheels are the wheels
grit ploughs across the steel and wheels. The SG wheel lasts a very long time. beginners will probably like best. I
transfers much of the heat to the In fact, the wheel on the left has been in keep an 80-grit wheel on one side of
daily use for over two years.

22 • Grinder Wheels www.woodturner.org

a grinder and 120 grit on the other microcrystalline. This means that Diamond wheels
side, the first for shaping tools, and each piece of grit is composed of a Some woodturners use diamond
the second for creating a fine edge. clump of hundreds of tiny sharp wheels. The theory seems to be
The edge produced by the 120 grit is crystals. They continually break away that diamond can cut anything. In
sharper than that produced by the as they are used, exposing millions theory, it does. It is great for cutting
80 grit. It looks almost like a honed of fresh sharp cutting edges. These ceramics, stone, and aluminum. But
edge, yet the edge will not break off wheels cut cool and leave a fine finish diamond wheels do not cut steel
the high-speed tools we use, as it on the tool bevel. By comparison, efficiently. All the manufacturers agree
used to with carbon-steel tools. each piece of aluminum oxide grit is it should not be used to sharpen the
one crystal, which may or may not steel we woodturners use—in fact,
Ceramic wheels fracture under pressure and break anything with iron in it. On metals
There are new and interesting wheels down to expose smaller edges as they with a ferrous content, the diamond
on the market. The ones made from wear. Blunt abrasives rub, which literally disappears.
a ceramic alumina compound are overheats tools. Diamond particles have a fatal
better than the regular aluminum Ceramic wheels are expensive, attraction to the iron in the steel.
oxide wheels. The grit on these wheels but they produce a wonderful edge. The iron attracts away the carbon in
is not made from your granny’s I find that when sharpening with 80 the diamond one atom at a time. The
ground-up teapot, even though it is grit, the edge looks almost like it was two actually bond at the molecular
called a ceramic. Each manufacturer sharpened with a 120-grit wheel. (The level, which means a minute amount
closely guards exactly how it produces finest wheel I can find in ceramic is of the diamond gets carried away
the material, but basically, the 80.) They grind almost twice as fast as with the chip. It sounds like a slow
manufacturer converts a colloidal aluminum oxide (so use a light touch) process, and at room temperature
dispersion of hydrosol containing and produce a keen edge. The wheel it is—thus hand-held diamond
goethite into a semi-solid gel, dries self-sharpens as it grinds, it wears honing stones last a long time.
this gel to a glassy state, crushes it to slowly, and requires minimal dressing. Start adding heat, however, and
the required grain size, and fires it at They can last five times longer than a the process speeds up dramatically
between 1200° C and 1600° C. The white wheel, so they are cost-effective. and catastrophically and you will
final product is an abrasive grit of Because the ceramic is expensive find a mist of black dust around the
alumina microcrystals. to produce, it is mixed with regular base of your grinder, all that is left
A major reason why these wheels aluminum oxide before being of your precious diamonds. If you
work so well is that the grits are pressed into a wheel. The wheels I am put much pressure on your tool—
referring to are 50% ceramic, such as pushing it into the diamond—you
Three diamond wheels. On the left is the the Norton SG wheels sold by many can go through the diamond layer
wheel with 1/8" (3 mm) of diamond/nickel suppliers. Norton also manufactures in minutes. If you are gentle, you
on the rim. The polished spots caused by a wheel that has only a 30% ceramic can get a year or so out of a diamond
sharpening high-speed steel are visible. In content, the 3X. While these cut wheel in use daily, but it will slowly
the center is an unused resin-bonded wheel
and on the right (diamond plated) is the one I cleanly and run cool, some people change from an 80-grit wheel to a
found most suited to my needs. It started out have found the wheel wears faster 120-grit wheel, and eventually will
as an 80-grit wheel and after a year, I am using than they would like. Some who have only be good to use as a hone.
it as a fine-honing wheel. Note that there is no had problems say their wheel has a I have tried several brands of
identification on the two wheels on the right.
bond hardness of I. Mine electroplated diamond wheels, as
has a bond hardness well as resin-impregnated ones,
of K, and has not and an expensive wheel with ⅛"
been a problem. To (3 mm) of diamond embedded in
me, they are good nickel around the rim. They all
value for money, behaved the same way: The diamond
however, the SG, quickly wore down to a finer grit and
with its higher some wheels seemed to need a lot
ceramic content of dressing.
is well worth the Cleaning them with an old
added expense. aluminum oxide wheel can restore
diamond wheels. That worked on

www.woodturner.org Grinder Wheels • 23

 of trouble. It took about a year to If I use a CBN wheel, I never
permanently wear them down from have to adjust my sharpening jig.
80-grit to honing-wheel condition. I can leave it set exactly the way I
The electroplated and resin-coated want, and since the wheel never gets
wheels cost more than $200 apiece, so smaller, I get the same grind every
I do not consider them cost effective. time. One light pass over the 180-grit
wheel is enough to sharpen a tool to
CBN wheels razor-blade quality most of the time.
Manufacturers recommend wheels If my tool is really dull, then one pass
made of CBN—not diamond—for over the 80 grit wheel, followed by a
sharpening tool steel. CBN is cubic light pass over the 180 grit wheel will
boron nitride and it is almost as hard return the edge to perfection.
CBN wheels, my favorites. They cut cleanly, a diamond—it will actually scratch CBN grinder wheels come
quickly, and smoothly. They have been diamond. And, it does not have the in almost any shape desired. The
in continual use for over a year and show fatal attraction that diamond has for choice is endless . . . except for
no wear.
iron. I have had a pair of these wheels simple bench grinder wheels. (The
on a grinder for over a year now and shape of a standard bench grinder
all wheels I tried, but I was reluctant can detect no wear. Of course they wheel is generally called 1A1 for
to use the aluminum oxide on the will eventually wear out, all things do, diamond/CBN.) Bench grinder
electroplated wheel—there is only but the 80-grit is still an 80-grit wheel wheels are available, but you have
one layer of diamond. In fact, that and the 180 grit is still 180 grit. (I have to search for them. Check with your
wheel needed less attention than found I can use the 180-grit wheel to local metalworking shops.
the other types—just cleaning keep my powdered metal tools, like the I intend for this brief survey
with WD40. ones made by Doug Thompson and of grinder wheels to accomplish
The wheel with the diamond/ Dave Schweitzer, sharp as a razor.) The three objectives. First, to provide
nickel mixture wore away the old steel is hard enough, yet flexible information to help you buy grinder
aluminum oxide grinder wheel faster enough, to maintain a scary-sharp wheels with more confidence.
than my daughter’s large cat inhales edge, reducing dramatically the need Second, to make your turning
food. It looked great and cut well for sanding. experience more pleasurable. And
after this treatment. What happens is CBN is used widely in industry third, to help you save money—I
that the aluminum oxide wears away where precise sharpening and shaping know—I have spent far too much on
the bonding agent in the diamond is required. Aircraft manufacturers grinder wheels over the years. It is
wheels, exposing more of the use distinctively-profiled wheels to my own fault, of course, but I am too
diamond. If I sharpened a few ⅝" (16 sharpen end mills and other precision curious for my own good!
mm) gouges on the wheel, however, machining tools to strict tolerances.
the surface seemed to deteriorate into The CBN sharpening wheels have to Bill Neddow spends his retirement creating
a finer grit and the nickel became perform exactly the same job, with no bowls for galleries and taking part in studio
highly polished. It always looked significant measurable wear, shift after tours. He also does some demonstrating.
like it needed cleaning. I eventually shift, day after day. That is why they last Bill considers himself a semiproduction
took that wheel off the grinder and a long time in a woodturning shop. turner, following themes in his bowl
will give it to a stone carver. That is a The CBN wheels I have came designs, but trying something different
$400 loss. prebalanced. I did not have to fuss with each one. He is fascinated not only by
The resin-bonded wheel also with dressing and shaping the how to do something but why it works, a
lost its edge quickly, but would clean wheel when it was first mounted. byproduct of thirty years as a writer, editor,
up well with the aluminum oxide Maintenance of CBN wheels is and publications manager. He lives in
dressing stone. The stink of hot resin simple: Scrub them once in a while Ottawa, Canada, with his wife and about
in the shop was intolerable. That using a toothbrush and kerosene or 3,500 dry rough-turned bowls. His website
noxious odor was even present when I WD40. This removes varnish and is billneddow.com. You can email him at
was sharpening tools. I finally gave the CA glue that gets transferred from bill.neddow@sympatico.ca.
wheel away. turning tool onto the wheel. I have
To summarize, the electroplated never had to use aggressive cleaning
wheels caused the least amount techniques on these wheels.

24 • Grinder Wheels www.woodturner.org

 Identifying Grinder Wheels
Most manufacturers use a system for identifying grinder wheels. There found in diamond and CBN wheels. There are other bond types such
are variations—a number of manufacturers modify the identification as Rubber R and Silicate S.
system to meet their needs, and not all use the complete sequence of
Manufacturer’s Record: A private manufacturer’s marking to identify
identifying codes. Some wheels carry an absolute minimum of informa-
a wheel. The use is optional.
tion. It is possible, however, to figure out the code on most wheels.
There are two systems, quite similar. One is for identifying bonded Identifying a Superabrasive Wheel
wheels (made of such substances as aluminum oxide and silicone The marking system for superabrasive grinder wheels is
carbide). The other is for diamond and CBN (superabrasive) wheels. somewhat different.
I have tried to simplify the systems to cover only the types of wheels Number and Letter Sequence
woodturners generally use.
Abrasive Type D
Identifying a Bonded Wheel Abrasive Grain Size 80
Number and Letter Sequence Grade (Hardness) N
Prefix 51 Concentration 100
Abrasive Type A Bond Type M
Abrasive Grain Size 80 Bond Modification 77
Grade (Hardness) K Abrasive Depth ⅛
Structure 5 Manufacturer’s Record 4
Bond Type V Abrasive Type: The letter D indicates that the abrasive is diamond.
Manufacturer’s Record 05
The letter B or CB is used for CBN.
Prefix: Manufacturers’ symbols indicating the exact kind of abrasive. Abrasive Grain Size: The number 80 represents the average grain size
This is optional, and often manufacturers do not use it. fitting through a linear inch of wire mesh (e.g., 120 grit would mean
Abrasive Type: Identifies the primary grain used to make the wheel. 120 lines of mesh).
A Regular Aluminum Oxide Grade (Hardness): Like conventional wheels the letter N identifies the
WA White Aluminum Oxide hardness of the wheel. Resin- and metal-bonded wheels, however,
Z Aluminum Zirconium are produced with almost no porosity and the grade of the wheel
C Silicone Carbide is controlled by modifying the bond formulation.
SG Seeded Gel (Ceramic)
Concentration: The number 100 is known as a concentration number,
Abrasive Grain Size: Indicates the size of grit particles going through a indicating the amount of diamond abrasive contained in the mix
screen. For example, 80 grit is what goes through one row of screen with in the wheel. The number 100 corresponds to an abrasive content
80 wires in one linear inch. 120 grit means there are 120 lines of screen, of 25 percent by volume. For CBN wheels, the number represents
making the size of the grit going through a 1" (25 mm) linear line of a concentration of 24 percent by volume. Concentration numbers
screen smaller. The measurements range from coarse to very fine. I have of 75 or higher are are preferred. For CBN wheels, Norton drops the
found that woodturners use the medium-grit range (46, 54, 60) and fine concentration section. Norton refers to the concentration as the grade
(70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 150, 180). We most commonly use 46 grit for shap- and uses the letter W for 100 concentration, T for 75 concentration
ing a tool and 80 grit for sharpening. Some turners use a finer-grit wheel and Q for 50 concentration.
to keep the tool sharp, such as 120 grit.
Bond Type: The letter M or N indicates the bond is metallic. Another bond
Grade (Hardness): Hardness is rated from A to Z with A being the weakest is resin, represented by the letter B or R. There are also vitrified wheels V.
bond and Z being the strongest. A weaker bond is preferred for grinding
Bond Modification: This is the manufacturer’s notation of any special
harder materials like tool steel. Most of the wheels we use are in the I
bond type or modification. It is optional information.
to K range. An increase in the hardness grade by one or two letters can
make a dramatic difference. A move from an H to an I, for example, could Abrasive Depth: The working depth of the abrasive section, generally
double the life of the wheel. measured in inches. For example: ⅛" (3 mm). This is very important in
determining the life of the wheel and its initial cost. A bond layer of ⅛"
Structure: Basically the spacing between abrasive grains, represented
provides about half the life of a bond layer 1/4" (6 mm) thick.
by a series of numbers, with the structure becoming more open as the
number increases. A 1 would be very dense. We are after a more open Manufacturer’s Record: As with the bonded wheels, this is optional infor-
structure, which would probably be 5 or above. mation on the manufacturer’s private identification code for the wheel.
Bond Type: The most common bond types are vitrified V and resin B.
Safety Note
Vitrified is basically a vitreous glass much like pottery or glassware fired
Grinder wheels can explode as they rotate at high speed. It is
in a kiln, which is why there is such a fuss about not using a chipped or
absolutely necessary to wear an impact-resistant faceshield when
dropped stone made with this material—it may be cracked and can blow
using a grinder.
up. Resin is more commonly found in cut-off wheels, but can also be

www.woodturner.org Grinder Wheels • 25

Comparing Sharpening Alternatives
Jim Echter

O
ne of the major differences local chapter is that our clubs offer budget and workshop setup, so there
between an expert turner many opportunities to learn how to is no single perfect solution, system,
and most beginners is how sharpen properly. My local chapter or method for sharpening.
sharp each turner keeps his tools. conducts sharpening workshops and
Sharp tools are also are why one we also have a mentoring program to Dry grinders
beginner becomes proficient much help our new members get their tools The standard in most woodturning
faster than another, and dull tools properly sharpened so they have one shops is a bench grinder with two
probably discourage some beginners less barrier to learning. 8" × 1" (200 mm × 25 mm) aluminum
who just give up. Our turning tools This article provides an oxide wheels. Aluminum oxide
really are consumable items just overview of the various sharpening wheels, usually colored white, blue, or
like sandpaper. They need to be systems currently available: dry pink, cut faster and cooler than grey
sharpened much more frequently grinders, wet grinders, belt systems, carborundum wheels. Occasionally
than many beginners imagine, and and the new rotary see-through you can find a price near $100 on an
yes, repeated sharpening does use grinders that have come to market 8" slow-speed (1700–1800 rpm) or
them up although it may take years. in recent years. I will explain dual-speed (1700–1800 and 3400–
When I teach I always advise the primary features, benefits, 3600 rpm) grinder with white wheels,
beginning and intermediate turners disadvantages, and costs of each which is a great deal. Some of these
to spend time learning how to system. Because many turners also machines may have a small water
properly sharpen their tools. A have other woodworking interests, tray for cooling the tool tip; the wheel
key advantage of belonging to the we will also look at other possible itself runs dry.
AAW and becoming active in your uses. Everyone has a different

For everyday sharpening, many woodturners rely on a slow-speed Here’s why: with sharp tools, you can turn cleanly and skip directly
grinder with two 8" × 1" white aluminum oxide wheels. On Jim to your finest sandpaper grit.
Echter’s machine, the left wheel has a TruGrind jig for sharpening
AW27:5, p27

gouges, skews, and parting tools. The right has a Veritas

adjustable-angle platform for sharpening scrapers.

26 • Comparing Sharpening Alternatives www.woodturner.org

 Dry grinders that slow-speed grinders are easier
Manufacturer Model Details Cost Web address to control, which is why they have
become so prevalent in our shops. Dry
grinders lists major and popular brands
8", 3600 rpm, of dry grinders.
replace grey wheels While dry grinders are fast
8250W $900 baldor.com
with aluminum
oxide wheels and great for reshaping a tool, they
do leave a ragged burr on the edge
Baldor Industrial Grinder that sometimes needs honing,
especially on fine detail tools like
the skew chisel. Some production
8", 1725 and 3450 rpm, bowl turners prefer the edge right
one 60-grit aluminum deltamachinery.
23-199 $150 off the grinder because they believe
oxide and one 36-grit com
grey wheel its raggedness is like a serrated knife
cutting through bread, especially
Delta Variable Speed Grinder when roughing green blanks.
Some turners use a buffing wheel
to hone their tools, while others
8", 1800 rpm, prefer to touch them up with
replace grey wheels sharpening stones.
G0596 $495 grizzly.com
with aluminum
Dry grinders generally do not
oxide wheels
come with much in the way of
Grizzly Heavy-Duty
Bench Grinder toolrests. While you could cobble
up your own, I believe you will
get best results with aftermarket
grinding jigs and platform rests
8", 1700 rpm, comes
with 60-grit and
designed for sharpening turning
105780 $125 woodcraft.com tools. Good jigs and platforms help
120-grit aluminum
oxide wheels you maintain the tool’s shape and
Woodcraft bevel angle every time you sharpen.
Slow Speed Grinder Gouges are particularly difficult to
sharpen freehand, but inventors
The 8" grinder solution is with their lathe or they bought them at and manufacturers have come up
generally considered fast at both a garage sale. There is much less risk of with a number of clever jigs to help
reshaping tool profiles and putting overheating modern high-speed steel you grind and maintain the correct
new edges on your tools. That is why tools, a big advantage for turners who shape and angle. Adjustable-angle
you are likely to find one in most sharpen often. platform rests help sharpen skews,
woodturners’ shops, woodturning Interestingly, when a parting tools, and scrapers.
schools, and at most clubs. If you learn representative from a major abrasives Recent and noteworthy jig
how to use the 8" grinder, you will be company visited our local club, he innovations include the Hannes Tool
comfortable when you take a class, visit made the point that a 3600-rpm multipivot gouge jig that permits
other turners’ shops, if you teach, or if grinder with proper wheels was the multiangle grind advocated by
you mentor beginners. The 8" grinder actually cooler on the steel than the the hat-turner JoHannes Michelsen,
has two disadvantages: first, with same wheel running at 1800 rpm. The and a heavy-duty angle gauge and
carbon-steel tools it is easy to overheat rep explained that the wheel surface adjustable-angle platform designed
(blue) the metal and draw its temper; was designed to fracture and expose by Stuart Batty of Boulder, Colorado.
and second, the standard toolrest fresh cutting edges at the higher speed.
leaves much to be desired when you I think the higher speed would be an Wet grinders
are trying to shape a gouge or a skew advantage for a professional tool-and- Wet grinders generally feature a
chisel. Many beginners have carbon- die maker who works with metal every 10" × 2" (25 cm x 5 cm) wheel turning
steel tools because they inherited them day. However, most woodturners find slowly in a water bath. The water

www.woodturner.org Comparing Sharpening Alternatives • 27

Grinding jigs and platforms
Manufacturer Model Details Cost Web address

Lee Valley Veritas 05M23.01 Platform rest $55 veritastools.com

Grinder Tool Rest

Lee Valley Veritas Skew-Grinding Jig 05N13.01 Jig for skews, use with platform rest $30 veritastools.com

Oneway Wolverine 2291 Base, sliding arm and platform rest $90 oneway.ca
Grinding Jig

Oneway Wolverine Vari-Grind Attachment 2480 Jig for gouges, use with platform rest $55 oneway.ca

PSI Woodworking
Complete 4-Piece
Precision Lathe Chisel
Sharpening System LCGRIND4 Platform with jigs for gouge and skew $115 pennstateind.com

Sharp-Fast Tool
S900 Jig for gouges $125 tmiproducts.net
Guide System

447-RS Platform with jigs for gouge and skew $140 robert-sorby.co.uk

Robert Sorby Universal

Sharpening System

Tru-Grind woodcut-tools.
TRUGR Platform with jigs for gouge and skew $130
Sharpening System com

HannesTool
Multi-Bevel Grinding,__
is the way of the future, get there
Hannes Tool Vector
now with the new fixture from;
Grind Fixture
hannestool.com Jig for gouges; multibevel grind $140 hannestool.com
Visit for more info or to order online, you
may also call;
802 353 0523

Three gauges for setting grinder

SB Tools Angle Gauges $105 woodturning.org
platform angles

28 • Comparing Sharpening Alternatives www.woodturner.org

both cools the steel and carries away few years ago, also with accessories with their woodturning accessory
the grinding waste. Wet grinders for turning tools. Lately there have kit, many turners felt that system
can produce a very fine, smooth, been some inexpensive wet grinders also was too slow. However, in my
and polished edge, by far the finest coming out of the Far East, although opinion, the jigs available today
edge of all the different mechanical these typically do not have a jig or make sharpening turning tools on a
sharpening systems. Many turners accessory kit for woodturning tools. wet system very comparable in speed
believe there is an advantage to One argument that many to sharpening with a dry grinder.
having such a sharp edge, but many turners have against wet grinders is Wet systems are quite expensive,
other turners believe it is just not that they do not want a water tray especially when you add in the cost
worth the expense for our type of near the lathe because it fills up with of the accessory kits. On the other
woodworking. Beliefs aside, the real chips and makes a mess. Vendors hand, most wet-grinding machines
advantage of a wet grinder is that it have responded with nice covers to include a leather honing wheel, so
is nearly impossible to overheat the help keep debris out of the water, but they do offer a complete solution. If
tool edge, no matter how thin you many turners still consider it a hassle you are a carver or if you use hand
grind it. to have to uncover and cover the planes and chisels for flat work, then
The most widely known wet- unit every time they sharpen. The it will be easier to justify the expense
grinding system is the Tormek T-7. other issue is that compared to a dry of one of these systems.
Tormek offers an accessory kit for grinder, a wet system is considered
sharpening woodturning tools. JET slow when initially shaping a tool
Tools introduced their version a profile. Before Tormek came out

Wet grinders
Manufacturer Model Details Cost Web address

Grizzly Wet
Grinder T10010 10" wet wheel, leather honing wheel $170 grizzly.com

Grizzly Accessory Kit #2 T10024 Wheel dresser, angle guide, tool holder. $55 grizzly.com

Harbor Freight Both an 8" wet and 6" dry

Wet/Dry Grinder 35098 $65 harborfreight.com
grinder, no accessories available

JET Slow Speed 10" wet wheel, variable speed, leather

Wet Sharpener JSSG-10 $350 jettools.com
honing wheel

Tormek Sharpener
T-7 10" wet wheel, leather honing wheel $630 tormek.com

Toolrest, gouge jig, honing

Tormek Woodturner’s Kit TNT-708 $320 tormek.com
wheel, angle guide

www.woodturner.org Comparing Sharpening Alternatives • 29

Belt sharpeners Belt sharpeners
A belt sander offers another way Manufacturer Model Details Cost Web address
of sharpening turning tools. Most
belt-sander systems produce a flat
edge, instead of the hollow-ground Harbor Freight
edge that comes from wet and dry Combination 4" × 36" belt with harborfreight.
97181 $100
grinders. Some turners make the case Belt/Disc Sander 6" disk sander com
that the flat edge gives them better
control at the lathe. Others believe
that a hollow-ground edge makes
for easier honing, and therefore is
sharper. What I find interesting
is that tool vendors and knife Kalamazoo 2" × 48" belt with 7" kalamazooind.
Belt/Wheel 2SK7 $660
makers all use belt systems in their grinding wheel com
Sander
manufacturing processes. Today, one
can purchase high-quality fine-grit
belts impregnated with aluminum
oxide, blue zirconia, or silicon Lee Valley
carbide. These belts are designed Sander/
to produce a mirror finish on high- Grinder 1" belt grinder,
speed steel tools. This makes belt 68Z75.01 $90 leevalley.com
no motor
systems possibly the best all-around
solution for a sharpening system.
The case for belt systems
includes: (1) they are cooler than
grinding wheels because the belts
dissipate heat better; (2) since the Robert Sorby 2" belt system
ProEdge with jigs for robert-sorby.
belt usually is running away from PED01 $550
Plus System turning tools and co.uk
the edge, you cannot jam the tool honing accessories
like you can with a grinding wheel;
and (3) belts are easy to change. You
can switch from a coarse belt for
profiling to a fine belt for sharpening toward the tool edge, whereas other should have been on everyone’s
in a couple of seconds. If the belt is systems have the belt running away tool evaluation and purchase lists.
worn out, it is quick to replace. Belts from the edge so it cannot catch and Jon’s company recently suspended
are consistent and do not change tear, which seems safer. The ProEdge manufacturing this system, but
dimensionally, like grinding wheels, can do this because its various jigs a redesign is in the works and it
and belts do not need to be dressed position the tools in a repeatable will probably be available again.
like wheels. Some belt systems, manner. However, one major Meanwhile, I decided to build my
like most wet grinders, have the disadvantage of the Sorby system is own belt sharpening system based
additional advantage of a buffing or that it uses nonstandard belts. on one of these low-cost import
honing wheel, which gives better One of our industry’s long- sanders, presented elsewhere in this
and more consistent results than time advocates of belt sharpening collection. If you are a woodturner,
honing by hand. is professional turner Jon Siegel of the chances are good that you are
The British tool manufacturer Wilmot, NH. Jon makes a strong frugal and handy and could build
Robert Sorby has recently introduced case for the flat sanding belt plus yourself a system if you wanted.
their ProEdge Sharpening System. It honing wheels. Jon had developed
has several optional accessories that and sold a well-thought-out Rotary see-through
include jigs for gouges and skews plus sharpening system based on an grinders
a honing wheel; these are included inexpensive imported belt sander Recently, two companies, Jooltool
in the Pro-Edge Plus system. What I and buffing wheel. In my opinion, and Work Sharp, have released
find interesting is that the belt runs Jon’s Big Tree Sharpening System affordable rotary grinders into

30 • Comparing Sharpening Alternatives www.woodturner.org

the marketplace, alongside the Rotary see-through grinders
unusual VisiGrind machine. Manufacturer Model Details Cost Web address
These sharpening systems have a
horizontal wheel or sharpening
disk and you sharpen the tool
on the bottom of the wheel, not Clear-View
on the top like horizontal water VisiGrind
wheels. The unique feature is that
See-through
the disks are slotted or perforated perforated
so you can actually observe the K-SM180 diamond disk, $800 sharperdrills.com
tool tip as it is being sharpened. top-
The Work Sharp machine features view magnifier
interchangeable disks and a sanding-
belt attachment, and the company
recently has introduced a tool bar
attachment that accepts Tormek and
JET jigs for turning tools. All three
manufacturers say their systems
run much cooler than conventional
sharpening equipment.
It is amazing to use one of
these systems and actually see the 3M Ninja See-Thru
Intro Pack $300 jooltool.com
abrasive disks
edge being ground. I think for the
experienced and professional turner
who has great tool control, using one
of these freehand rotary Jooltool
sharpening systems may be very
quick for edge touchups. A new
turner might find it difficult to See-through dry
use one of these systems freehand grinder that can
be used top side
or to reshape a new tool. For that
or see-through worksharptools.
reason, the Work Sharp 3000 with 3000 $300
from below. Tool com
JET or Tormek jigs for turning tools bar attachment
might be an interesting though accepts turning-
expensive choice. tool jigs.
Work Sharp

Summary
As in most things in life, there are remember is that you need to touch
multiple methods for solving the up the edge of your turning tools
woodturner’s sharpening needs. before they get dull, so you can
You can get a sharp edge with experience the joy of always turning
any of these: a dry grinder, a wet with sharp tools.
grinder, a belt sharpener, or a rotary
sharpener. It depends on your Jim Echter is a professional turner who
budget, your time, and whether you lives near Rochester, NY. He specializes
want to sharpen other nonturning in making tools for fiber artists, turning
tools. If you are a beginner, attend a custom architectural pieces, and teaching.
sharpening workshop or class, and Jim’s home club is the Finger Lakes
try out different systems. Pick one Woodturners Association, and his website is
and go for it. Whatever system you truecreations.biz.
choose, you will need to practice
using it. The important thing to Note: Prices current 2012—2013

www.woodturner.org Comparing Sharpening Alternatives • 31

Improving a Grinder
Bob Vaughan

I
bought a second-or-third-hand
Baldor 7in., 3600 RPM bench
grinder not long ago. It had
more cast iron than my new Baldor
grinders, and after a little motor
work, it ran quite smoothly. I knew
that it would make a great low-risk
platform for some modifications
that I have had in mind for making
a good grinder better. I felt that with
a little time and effort, and minimal
investment of cash, I could make this
grinder safer, easier, and faster to use.
I ended up making
seven modifications:
1. Tool tray on top of grinder.
2. Electrical outlet under
tool tray. The author’s souped up grinder, ready to use with new tool rests, tray and other
accoutrements. Photo by Bob Vaughan.
3. Larger tool rests and tool
rest posts.
4. Custom overlay plates for
tool rests.
5. Quick adjust handles, instead
of bolts, on the tool rest post
and rest.
6. Larger eye shields.
7. Wing nuts to hold outside
wheel guards, instead of bolts.

The tool tray

Cast iron tool rest holder is much heavier
I wanted a convenient, out-of-the
than the stamped steel ones originally on
-way place to put tools, cutters, the author’s grinder.
dressers, and other items that
normally litter the grinding area. I
An Allen wrench tightens the shelf mounting
also wanted a platform that would bracket. Allen head works well in tight space.
accommodate an electrical outlet
and a gooseneck light. So my first over the motor and switch. A 1/8 was left. Next, I did some measuring.
objective was to mount an 8 in. x in.-thick x 1 in.-wide edge was added I found that I had to replace the two
11 in. x 3/4 in. thick plywood tool to keep stuff from vibrating off. top motor bolts with two lengths of
AW 14:1, p22

tray on top of the machine. Plywood First, I removed the wheel, 10-24 threaded rod and rod coupling
was fine since I wouldn’t put a water flanges and both wheel guards so nuts. Because of the curve of the
pot up there and risk spillage down that only the grinder’s motor itself motor’s end bells, I had to use two

32 • Improving a Grinder www.woodturner.org

rod coupling nuts to get enough
extension to mount the steel angle
brackets. The threaded rod was cut
so that there was just enough rod for
the second nut to hold securely yet
leave enough internal thread for the
angle bracket’s mounting screw.
I mounted the angle brackets to
the threaded couplings, positioned
the tray, and marked the bottom
of the tray to indicate the angle
bracket’s wood-screw holes. Then
I removed the angle brackets from
the threaded rod coupling nuts and
screwed them to the bottom of the
The author holds the old motor bolt in front of the mounting bracket, which already has
plywood tray. Next, I mounted the
all-thread and one coupling nut installed. The second coupler is needed to install the
tray to the grinder. I positioned the angle bracket.
tray toward the rear of the grinder
so it wouldn’t create a shadow or
interfere with grinding activities. allow me the safety and convenience getting them made out of 1/4-in.
I wired and mounted a grounded I wanted for my grinding chores. steel plate. Aluminum will do for a
electrical outlet under the back I decided to mount an overlay while, though.
overhang of the tray. I wired the plate on top of the tool rest and I used my regular wood-cutting
grinder’s switch directly to this custom fit each overlay plate to my handsaw with an old blade to cut the
outlet. Now I have a place to plug in various grinding wheels. If I have aluminum. Feeding very slowly (1 in.
my overhead gooseneck light and to grind something with a short per 15 seconds), it did an acceptable
other things as needed. bearing surface, I can simply remove job, but it did throw aluminum
the plate. chips everywhere.
Tool rest modifications I first mounted the tool rest Now I can safely profile grind
I quickly realized that the stamped and a grinding wheel to determine around the sides of cutter bits or use
steel tool rests that came with this how the inside of the grinding a cut-off wheel with ease and safety.
lower-priced grinder were not rigid wheel relates to the tool rest. I then
enough for my needs. I ordered the marked the top of the tool rest and Other modifications
cast iron ones that are standard on drilled and tapped the surface of The standard GA-10 eye shields
the deluxe 7-in. versions. Instead of the tool rest with two 10-32 holes that came with this model grinder
installing the standard 1/4 bolts and about 1-1/2 in. apart. I put in a good were OK, but I opted for ordering
nuts to hold my tool rest and post, countersink to compensate for the larger GA-11 type (standard on
I ordered quick-adjusting handles potential protruding of the flat-head Baldor’s Deluxe 7 in. models.) They
with a 5/16 inch thread. I thought screws. I then cut out some 3x3 and have a thicker steel rod and wider
that the original 1/4-in. thread was 3x4 plates from some scrap 1/4-inch eye protection area. Again, I had
a little flimsy for these handles. Now thick aluminum. They were aligned to re-tap a 1/4-20 hole for a 5/16-18
I don’t have to go on a wrench hunt on the tool rest against the wheel thread in the inside wheel guard for
every time I need to adjust the angle and marked for the mounting holes. the more secure mounting. Now I
of the tool rest. I then drilled a clearance hole and can clamp on a magnifying glass and
For this thread size upgrade, countersunk so a flat-head screw not worry about movement caused
the tool rest posts had to filed out to would go below the surface of the by vibration.
accept the 5/16-in. thread. Next, the tool rest plate. Because I change grinding
tool rest post and the inner grinding Tool rest plates were made for wheels a lot, I decided to get around
wheel guard had to be drilled and 1/4in. wheels, 1-in. wheels, and the wrench-and-bolt ceremony with
tapped for the larger 5/16-18 thread. a cut-off wheel. I quickly found the outside wheel guards. I got some
The small surface of the that aluminum wasn’t the best 1/4-20 threaded rod and some wing
standard cast iron tool rest wouldn’t material, so I’m in the process of nuts. The rod was cut into short

www.woodturner.org Improving a Grinder • 33

A file is used to open up the adjusting slot in the tool rest support. A hand tap is used to thread the inside wheel guard for quick adjust
Also shown is the newly enlarged and threaded hole for the tool rest. handles. The stud shown is for mounting the outside wheel guard

pieces so that enough protruded to to do something, seek competent Now that I’ve had a while
accepted a wing nut. Now, the only help. Don’t be intimidated by the to enjoy the benefits of these
wrench I need is one for the grinding rudimentary metalwork mentioned modifications, the long-term
wheel. True, there are some slip-on herein. If you’re unfamiliar with payback in speed, convenience, and
arbor nuts available, but I haven’t drilling, tapping and filing metal, safety was well worth the effort.
gotten into that yet. I suspect they know that it’s merely a matter of
won’t hold as securely as standard learning a few simple rules and there Bob Vaughan is an amateur turner who
arbor nuts. is a wealth of good information makes his living rebuilding woodworking
available on the Internet and at machinery in Roanoke, VA.
Tips the public library. There might
First activity: Read this article to the be a recreational metalworker
end before you get the hardware. or machinist in your own
The grinder will have to be partially neighborhood that could help.
disassembled, so plan ahead to avoid Why doesn’t the factory offer
unnecessary activity. these options? My guess is that they
Determine your top tray wouldn’t stay competitive. Also,
dimensions before disassembly, things, like the locking handles and
taking into consideration wing nuts holding on the outside
overhang and interference with wheel guards wouldn’t be at all
shadow, wheel guards, and tool appropriate for industrial situations
sharpening processing. where people of diverse skill levels
And, as with any machine are using the same grinder. For
modification, be careful. Don’t woodturners, the user and the owner
try any of this with the machine will be the same, so the degree of
plugged in; if you are unsure how care will be higher.

34 • Improving a Grinder www.woodturner.org

 Jigs Grind Consistent Edges
Kirk Deheer

I
’ve been fortunate enough to meet Many of them had tried to follow denominator: The bevel of the
many of the world’s best-known the instructions that accompanied tool follows around the side to the
woodturners when they’ve passed the jig, but my setup wasn’t wing. Unfortunately, if you follow
through Provo. Because I’m a self- anything like their instruction the directions packaged with the
proclaimed tool freak, I’ve examined sheets recommended. sharpening jigs, the wing angles are
their tools and watched their every much steeper than the nose angle.
move at the lathe. Adjust your thinking It’s no wonder great instructors
Most of the turners I’ve met are As I researched sharpening jigs, I direct students away from
freehand sharpeners, as I was when I realized that the control leg did not sharpening jigs.
started assisting them at workshops set the bevel angle like I thought but
and demonstrations. adjusted the angle of the grind on the What goes wrong
That all changed when Dale gouge wing. I bet this has happened to you: You
Nish asked me to assist him in a The first major hurdle is that introduce a straight and extremely
beginner’s class. Because Dale is a the instructions packaged with the steep side grind to the work without
freehand sharpener, he asked me to Wolverine jig and similar systems any support (steel in contact with
demonstrate sharpening jigs. And he confuse new woodturners and wood), and the piece grabs the
gave me 30 minutes’ notice! experienced turners alike. The side wing and pulls it into the wood.
Oh my gosh—that was all new grind is not the length of the wing Almost instantly, the gouge rolls
to me. I could quickly see that the (how far the grinding extended), over, allowing the edge to dig deeper
bowl gouge would be the hardest tool as the packaged instructions lead into the wood and “Bang!” Another
to sharpen with a jig. So I grabbed you to believe. Rather, the side catch. Then you put the tool on the
my bowl gouge and started to set up grind is the angle at which the wing shelf because it’s hard to control.
the jig. is ground. Don’t quit—there’s a way to
As I remember, the Although the great turners get comfortable with grinding your
Photos: John Hetherington Illustrations: Roxanne LeMoine

demonstration went well, but there have different preferences for the turning tools—and a better way to
were questions from the class. bevel angle, there is one common grind your gouges.

Jig grind at 50 degrees

Hand grind at 50 degrees

Incorrect grind
(steep wings) by using
grinding jig improperly
AW 21:4, p32

www.woodturner.org Jigs Grind Consistent Edges • 35

 40o= 51/2"
45oo= 57/8"
50 = 61/2"

Center line
of grinding
wheel

GOUGE SETUP JIG 83/8"

23o
6"
5 /8 "

2"
Rest on the arm
of the sharpening jig
1/2"
Set at top of second
notch from the top
Notch to avoid
grinder guard 2"
CONTROL LEG Notch to avoid
(Insert into V-pocket of sharpening jig) V-pocket

To be sure, freehand grinding This was the hardest concept distance from the wheel (6" from
is faster. But until you acquire keen for me to grasp and is how most the V-pocket to the centerline of the
grinding skills, the method I’ll woodturners stray off course with wheel), as shown in Photo 1. You may
outline here will help you reduce sharpening jigs. have to elevate your grinder. You can
the variables at the grinder and help rely on this jig regardless of the size
you produce a wing (side grind) that Set the side grind of your gouge or the diameter of your
matches the nose. I believe the control leg should be set grinding wheel.
The process works with all of at 23 degrees from the bottom of the The setup jig quickly locks your
the popular sharpening jigs I’ve gouge flute to the top of the second grinding into a consistent bevel
found on the market, including the notch on the Wolverine Vari-Grind angle. You may wish to make three
Wolverine sharpening jig and the jig, as shown. You can set this angle of these jigs—one each for 40, 45,
Tru-Grind jig. and never have to move it again. and 50 degrees (40 degrees is the
Now, slide your gouge into the most aggressive; 50 degrees gives you
A proven method jig, as shown. To quickly set the jig to the most control).
Place the flute of the gouge against 2", use the notch on the Gouge Setup Now, place the control leg in the
your grinding wheel and get the Jig, shown here, or mount a 2" set V-pocket, as shown in Photo 2. Start
shape (profile) that you want. block on your grinder base. grinding one wing, then pull the
Remember that a straight edge on This 2" setting is key so you can tool away from the wheel and grind
your flute is more aggressive than a get consistent sharpening. If your the other wing. Finally, blend the
curved edge (convex), which is less control leg and the length of the tool wings with the nose.
agressive and easier to control. are the same, you’ve set two sides of In the turning classes I teach
Now you’re ready to set the a triangle. You’re on your way! Now in Provo, I recommend a 50-degree
control leg on the tool holder. The you just need to set the third side (the angle as the best starting point
farther you move the control leg cutting edge) and sharpen without for tool control, as shown in
forward (toward the wheel), the wasting time or steel. Photo 3. If you get confused about
more side grind you remove and sharpening angles, think of 90
the steeper the angle. The farther Set the bevel angle degrees as no sharpened angle and
back you move the control leg (away To set the bevel angle, make a a really steep angle as 30 degrees.
from the wheel), the less side grind Gouge Setup Jig from 3/4" plywood, A metal protractor like the General
you remove. as shown in the drawing. Then use model shown in the photo is quite
this jig to set the V-arm at the proper affordable. It’s a good investment.

36 • Jigs Grind Consistent Edges www.woodturner.org

Common mistakes
• Not setting up the jig the same
way each time. The quicker you
learn to produce a consistent Gouge Setup Jig
grind, the faster you’ll advance
your skills. This method will get V-arm
you back to the lathe quickly.
• Over-grinding the nose of
The Gouge Setup Jig will
the tool. Most new turners V-pocket help you set the V-pocket
start grinding at the nose of the at the proper distance from
tool, then grind one wing, hit the grinding wheel for
the nose again, grind the other 1 consistent bevels.
wing, and finally return to the
nose. This means you spend too
much time on the nose and end
up changing the profile. Don’t
do that! Follow the step-by-step
instructions above.
• Grinding in one sweep.
When you do this, you have Control leg
a tendency to hesitate as you in V-pocket For best control of
Vari-Grind jig sharpening, hold the
transition from the wing to the
Vari-Grind in your hand.
nose and from the nose to the Avoid attempting to control
wing. This causes a bird-beak 2 by gripping the tool handle.
grind, which is challenging
to control.
• Failure to keep the tool
moving. You will create flat or
straight spots if you over-grind
in one area.
• Gripping the tool handle.
For better control, grip the tool
at the grinding jig when you
sharpen, as shown in Photo 2. 50˚
An inexpensive metal
protractor will help you
Kirk DeHeer (kdeheer@cs.com) lives in 3 measure your tool bevels.
Provo, Utah. He is a full-time woodturner
and demonstrator.

www.woodturner.org Jigs Grind Consistent Edges • 37

Turners Test Sharpening Jigs
AAW Members

M
ost turners know the Roger, my woodturning friend
value of sharp tools, but down the road who had attended the
few enjoy sharpening Sorby demonstration with me and
more than they like lathe work. For also purchased one of the jigs, wasn’t
most it’s a necessary chore. Many having any problems with his. A visit
turners, as Clay Foster writes here, to Roger’s shop, immediately showed
still prefer working freehand. But why. I had a 3/4-in.-wide wheel,
there is now an amazing variety of Roger had a 1-1/2 in. wide wheel.
sharpening jigs on the market, and So, I called in an order and in a few
more and more turners are using days had a new 1-1/2 in. wheel on my
them. Many turning teachers rely grinder. That wider wheel made all
on jigs to help beginners get over the of the difference in the world. The
sharpening blues. jig worked just the way I thought
Because there are so many it should.
sharpening jigs on the market, The gouge must stick out of
the AW Journal asked members to the tool holder approximately two
discuss the ones they liked best. inches for the jig to work properly. It
is pretty hard to measure this while
holding the tool holder, trying to Robert Sorby Fingernail Grinding Jig
Sorby Fingernail secure the tool in place in the holder,
Grinding Jig and at the same time tightening an
Allen screw. I made a mark on my 65 degrees. With this angle of grind,
When I attended a Robert Sorby workbench two inches in from the my spindle gouge required a slightly
demonstration at the Woodcraft edge. Now, I slip the gouge into the different hold than I had been using
store in Seattle, I was impressed tool holder, press the tool holder on it. It was a bit too steep for good
with the fingernail grind on their against the edge of the bench, push spindle work, but boy did it work
new tools and ordered one of their the gouge through until it lines up great for bowls. You could start at the
Fingernail Grinding Jigs. When with the mark on the bench, and rim and cut in one continuous sweep
it arrived, I mounted it on the left tighten the set screw. Then I screw to the center without a problem,
wheel of my grinder (I have a Veritas the little wheel down to check that just like the professionals. The
jig mounted on the right hand the tool is properly oriented in the factory setting worked great for my
wheel). I carefully set it up to the tool holder. The wheel should touch bowl gouges, but I finally modified
AW 13:4, p23, AW 14:1, p35

dimensions given on the instruction both edges of the flute. the angle for my spindle gouges,
sheet that came with the jig and The jig comes from the they seem to work better with a
started to grind one of my 3/8-in. factory set to replicate the medium longer angle.
spindle gouges. I immediately had fingernail grind that Sorby puts on I’ve been hand-grinding a
problems getting the long sweep their fingernail-grind gouges. The fingernail grind on my bowl and
back that I wanted. angle of the grind looks to be about spindle gouges for several years,

38 • Turners Test Sharpening Jigs www.woodturner.org

but each sharpening left me with a V-arm a little better. This just allows
slightly different grind that required for a little smoother operation.
me to adjust my cutting angle. The The gouge is held in place in
Sorby jig eliminates this problem. the Vari-Grind jig via a screw-and-
The grind is repeatable and smooth leaf-spring clamp that puts pressure
from side to side, one continuous on the flute of the tool and keeps
grind, no facets. it from rotating while sharpening.
—Fred Holder, Camano Island, WA After numerous grindings you will
probably run out of flute and the
leaf spring will no longer seat on the
OneWay flute. Not to worry. You can eyeball
Wolverine System OneWay Wolverine System
the position of the gouge, lock it
in position and extend the life of
I was introduced to the Wolverine the tool.
grinding system by Nick Cook or the side-grind on deep-fluted Probably the biggest
while I was visiting the Georgia bowl gouges. disadvantage of the Wolverine
Association of Woodturners. Prior Personally, I would purchase system is that if you are
to that I had always sharpened the Wolverine Grinding System organizationally challenged as I am,
by hand. because of one other attachment, you end up with a lot of accessories
At present, I use the OneWay the dressing attachment. I’ve used laying around the shop getting in
system in conjunction with everything from the star wheel your way. The solution is really very
sharpening by hand and I really dresser to dressing sticks and I like simple: hang them up. A few spare
like to use the system with students the Wolverine dressing attachment minutes, a bit of pegboard, and the
for the same reason Nick does. At best by far. Now, I true and clean disaster area becomes manageable.
a workshop, I don’t have to spend my wheels two or three times a day I would caution that the
all my time at the grinding wheel rather than waiting until they are Wolverine Grinding System or any
and can spend more time with totally loaded up and ineffective. grinding system is not a panacea
my students. The attachment consists of for all your sharpening problems.
As Nick showed me, the system a support arm, a holder for the Ultimately, you still need to know
is based on two mounts that attach diamond tip and the diamond tip what you want that tool to look like
permanently to the base under your that does the dressing. The support and what you want it to do after you
grinder. Once the system is set up, arm slides into the grinding jig base have finished grinding it. A jig will
it’s simple to install two separate and dressing is accomplished by help, but it will not do it all.
tool supports. sliding the diamond-tip holder back —Bob Rosand, Bloomsburg, PA, with
The first support or tool rest and forth across the support arm. Nick Cook, Atlanta, GA
is a large flat adjustable platform Fine adjustments are accomplished
fitted with a locking lever, making
it easy to adjust. The large (3-in. X
via a knob on the diamond-tip
holder. I found it useful to apply a bit
Wolverine Tips
5-in.) flat surface is ideal for scrapers of wax on the support arm to allow Prior to owning a sharpening jig, I
and parting tools. The second the holder to move more freely. struggled to get acceptable edges on
support is a sliding V-block fixture, The only attachment that I my tools, especially the gouges, and
which supports the base of your do not use is the skew grinding fell into the bad habit of delaying
tool, allowing you to maintain a attachment. It works fine, but I sharpening at the expense of good
consistent bevel as the tool is rolled prefer a more radical angle on my quality turning.
against the wheel of the grinder. It’s skews. I also grind a radius that I am Happily my Wolverine jig
good for roughing gouges and deep- not able to obtain with a jig. has given me a new outlook on
fluted bowl gouges. The Vari-Grind attachment will woodturning. My tools now have
The optional Vari-Grind jig, allow you to obtain both a fingernail uniform, facet-free grinds, and I
made to fit the sliding V-block grind as well as a side grind. It works spend more quality time at the lathe
fixture, enables you to create a beautifully. However, you might and less time fussing and cussing at
fingernail grind on spindle gouges consider grinding the base of the the grinding wheel.
support to allow it to pivot in the

www.woodturner.org Turners Test Sharpening Jigs • 39

 I believe that grinding jigs can 1. The horizontal distance (in a minor adjustment, usually on the
provide smooth, reproducible grinds mms.) that the V-arm juts out from V-arm setting. As your tools shorten
in the hands of the less experienced the end of the clamping fixture. I with many repeated sharpenings,
and less talented woodturner. measure from the front end (the end and your grinding wheel shrinks in
With a bit of practice and careful nearest you) of the clamping fixture diameter, your settings will change a
adherence to the manufacturer’s to the front end of the V notch bit, so update your notebook as time
instructions, it is not too difficult to tool handle support. This is all you goes on. I find the above practice to
get satisfactory grinds. These jigs, have to record for roughing gouges, be much better than marking the
however, will not do your thinking parting tools and skew chisels. tool shanks, the V-arm shaft and
for you. As Bob Rosand notes in 2. In addition to the V-arm the Vari-Grind attachment with
his commentary on the Wolverine measurement above, when using the a marking pen because you get as
system, “You still need to know what Vari-Grind attachment (for spindle many pen marks as you have tools
you want your tool to look like and and bowl gouges), I measure the and the marks wear off and you soon
what you want it to do after you have distance from the end of the tool get confused. Instead, record your
finished grinding.” tip to the front end (the side closest settings in your notebook.
There are an infinite number to the tool tip) of the U-shaped —Frank Koubek, Cincinnati, OH
of settings (and resulting grinds) clamp; and,
available from a gouge grinding jig,
such as the Vari-Grind attachment
3. I measure the setting of
the angle arm adjacent to the
Glaser Jig
of the Wolverine jig. So, unless wing nut on the Vari-Grind jig. Having taken enough turning
you’ve got the Sorby fingernail To help you with this there are courses to be able to grind the
gouge, it takes a little study and seven unnumbered graduated lines fingernail gouge freehand, I was
practice with the attachment to get inscribed on the attachment by the always haunted by the fact that no
in the ball park and ultimately to manufacturer. I gave them numbers: matter how hard I try I could never
get the desired grind on your tool. 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, etc., up to 3.0. For a grind a gouge without facets. Since
Once you have established your regular fingernail grind, with the I felt this was a shortcoming in my
grind, subsequent re-sharpenings fixture set in the “up” position, the technique I began to use a jig. This
are duck soup. reading is 0.0 or just beyond 0.0 (the experience came in handy, when,
For those of you who own or arm on my Vari-Grind goes just a working for a turning supplies
contemplate buying the Wolverine little beyond the zero line.) In the dealer, I was assigned to grind
system, I’d like to pass on a few extreme “down” position (for a side the tools before they were sent to
tips on getting reproducible grinds grind), the reading is 3.0 or just customers. Since the company was
with the jig. To begin with, prior beyond 3.0 (the arm of my Vari- using the Glaser jig I taught myself
to sharpening, I coat the bevel of Grind goes just a little beyond the how to use it. Use it we did. We
my tool with a waterproof, felt-tip last mark.) A mid-arm location ground hundreds of gouges: short,
red marking pen and periodically would be 1.5. Currently, I’ve been medium and long grinds with swept
inspect it during grinding. When all using this position for my gouges edges, radical grinds with various
of the red has disappeared, I know to get a medium fingernail grind. swept edges, all without one, single
that I’ve worked over the entire Something a little further down facet. So it was natural for me to use
bevel from one side to the other and would be 1.9, etc. the same jig in my shop.
from heel to tip. I, of course, also With the above information in The Glaser jig is an articulated
watch for sparks over the top of the hand, whenever you need to re- arm with a pivot point in the
tool, to avoid burning the steel. sharpen a tool, you just flip open floor. The jig is beautifully made
A second tip is to keep written your notebook and set the V-arm to Glaser’s exacting specifications
records of the jig settings for each distance and the Vari-Grind tool using hard maple. The tool is held in
individual tool. Being a retired position and grind angle number a V-block guide 3" from the edge on
engineer, I keep prodigious records and you get a grind identical to the the wood block.
of my turning activities, so the previous one. The jig is somewhat fussy to
first time I sharpen each tool to the Before you start the grinder, it set up as there are a number of
desired grind, I log the following is always a good idea to eyeball the measurements to be made and
data in my notebook: tool from the side to be sure the calculations needed to locate the
bevel is on the wheel. If not, make pivot point on just the right spot

40 • Turners Test Sharpening Jigs www.woodturner.org

 choose the angle setting for spindle time. I learned to sharpen the gouge
or bowl gouge, and sharpen it. As pretty well in my shop, though the
the instructions explain, the easiest grind never was exactly as he taught
method is to grind the profile of us and I always had lots of facets
the finished fingernail shape before on my bevel. Then, David came up
clamping it in the jig, then use the with a wooden jig. It made a genuine
jig to sharpen to that edge. Using improvement in the facets removal.
8-in. diameter white wheels (80 grit I did not take the time to precisely
and 120 grit) running at 3600 rpm, setup the jig stand so I never quite
it is, at first, somewhat unsettling achieved a replication of his grind,
to present the tool without a but it was close and acceptable, at
standard tool rest. However, with a least to me. Then, recently he sent
smooth running grinder that has me a new cast-aluminum version. It
trued and balanced wheels, there came with detailed instructions on
is little bouncing on the stone. The how to set everything up, so I did.
fingernail shape comes freely off the Bingo! I can now sharpen the thing
wheel with simple hand motions. the same way every time in less than
No compound movements to ride 10 seconds. That’s a good thing.
the stone are necessary to achieve However, the Ellsworth jig is
the fingernail shape. not intended for, nor can it be used
I use the jig to sharpen all for, any other tool. It is a single-
my spindle gouges and all my purpose jig, for the 5/8-in. superflute
bowl gouges including the big Ellsworth gouge.
3/4-in. gouge. The jig is capable of The jig doesn’t make me a
sharpening any style of cutting edge better turner. It doesn’t improve my
from the most benign flat grind to designs. It just allows me to grind
the most radical swept back grind. the tool the same way every time.
The jig does them all and is easily re- Any person who wants to be able
settable so that a new edge removes to do the same thing would benefit
as little steel as possible. The best from having this jig. This would
Glaser Jig thing is that I no longer feel any
guilt about having a faceted tool
but also in the knowledge that I
on the floor. Fortunately, the cannot blame a poor grind on a
directions provided are clear and tool for bad turning.
simple. Following these instructions —Angelo Iafrate, New
carefully will insure a correct set up Canaan, CT
the first try.
The purpose of the jig is to
provide a simple and repeatable
Ellsworth Jig
method to grind fingernail shapes The Ellsworth jig does what it
on spindle and bowl gouges. The is designed to do and that is,
articulated arm is to provide put David’s swept-back grind
different bevel angles at the nose of on the 5/8-in. Superflute gouge,
the gouge as compared to the side also known as the Ellsworth
of the tool. It also has two suggested Signature Gouge. I learned
settings: one for spindle gouges (26 about the tool when I attended
degrees) and the other (37 degrees) David’s class; I learned to use
for bowl gouges. the tool standing at my lathe.
After set up, using the jig could In class, David taught us how
not be simpler. Just clamp the tool to grind the tool by hand, no
into the articulated head as directed, jig. The jig wasn’t invented that Ellsworth Jig

www.woodturner.org Turners Test Sharpening Jigs • 41

have to be primarily David’s past Tormek
students, who spent a couple of
hours of a Friday morning in David’s
Sharpening System
shop agonizing over the correct way The Tormek water-cooled
to sharpen that tool. sharpening system is made in
If you can’t attend David’s Sweden and is one of the most
weekend class, but want to learn his versatile sharpening systems
gouge techniques, his sharpening on the market.
video is a must. It is not a glitzy, The Tormek can be
MTV-style tape, but you’re going to customized for cabinetmakers,
learn far more than you expect. It woodturners, and wood
is an Ellsworth style presentation carvers by selecting from the
(read: nothing fancy.) It is a down- company’s wide variety of jigs
and-dirty instructional. The shots and guides for the particular
are clear and steady. He has the blades or tools that you need
turner in mind. You want to see to grind.
when somebody shows you how to If you have to sharpen a
do something. The camera angles let lot of different cutting edges
you see... up close and personal. The in your shop, everything from Tormek Universal Gouge Jig
video quality is excellent. carving gouges to scissors, the
After demonstrating each type Tormek variety of guides and
of cut using his signature gouge attachments might be just the thing Although I do not use the
-- roughing cuts, hogging cuts, for you. All of these accessories Tormek exclusively, I have been
smoothing cuts, shear cutting are designed specifically to go on using it more and more and find it a
and back cutting -- he shows the company’s grinders. These useful addition to my shop.
sharpening techniques using the grinders can run both water-cooled —Willard Baxter, Gainsville GA
new sharpening jig. I can’t disagree grinding wheels, which are available
with what Clay Foster writes here
about knowing how to sharpen your
in different grits, and a leather
honing wheel.
In praise of jiglessness
tools freehand without jigs. He’s For the woodturner, gouges In the beginning, there were no
correct, of course. But, on the other (both bowl and spindle) are easily jigs for grinding a deep fluted bowl
side, when I am in the throes of sharpened and maintained with gouge with a long cutting edge. My
turning and the rhythm is flowing, I the SVD 180 jig shown here, which first attempts at freehand grinding
don’t want it interrupted by an inept can be easily adjusted to a particular produced a bevel that looked like a
experience at the grinder. And, I grind that meets the desires of the plowed field. It had more facets than
like the fact that I can get the same individual turner. The SVS 50 multi- Liz Taylor’s diamond collection.
tip and edge every time. That way, grinding jig makes sharpening the After a little practice and a few
the tool action becomes predictable. skew chisel easy and has proven to be inches of gouge, I eventually got
(At least I can’t fault the tool when I very useful in my shop. the hang of it. Grinding is now a
mess up!) The Tormek sharpening system reflexive action that takes very little
This tape does not address can prolong the usefulness of gouges time to produce a sharp tool with the
issues of design, but it does show by sharpening without grinding exact profile I want. For the person
the techniques we can use for fixing away so much metal. I find that desiring to grow beyond occasional
that questionable curve. He shows the skew is easier to sharpen on the turning, I think free hand grinding
how to avoid the annoying little nub Tormek than on a conventional is the best option.
in the bottom of our bowls. There grinder. The addition of the profiled All of the sharpening jigs I have
is essential information about how honing wheel is helpful for polishing seen will do a good job of grinding a
to get a clean cut on a natural-edge the flute of gouges and the ground gouge, some with more alacrity than
bowl. I think that’s pretty neat. surface of all tools. The profiled others, but none of them are as fast
Especially when all the cuts utilize honing wheel is actually a rotating and convenient as freehand. Like
only one tool. profiled leather strop. most people, if something is quick
—Dick Tuttle, Schwenksville, PA and convenient, I am likely to do it

42 • Turners Test Sharpening Jigs www.woodturner.org

more often. Obviously, this includes
tool sharpening. I’ve never met
anyone that I thought sharpened
their gouge too often, but I’ve known
a lot of turners who put it off until
it was too late and made a mess at
the lathe.
Learning to grind a gouge
freehand develops graceful
movements and a light touch of the
hand. Can you think of another
related activity where these skills
would be desirable? Hint: if you don’t
Sharpening Carbide Cutters
know the correct answer to this I figured out a way to sharpen Easy Finisher carbide cutters. I like using
question, it may explain why your carbide cutters, but they are $18 and eventually need to be sharpened
work has that awkward, bludgeoned (or thrown out). Sharpening is easy. The cutters pictured are the Easy
quality to it. Rough Rider and Easy Finisher tools, but almost any round or square
Freehand grinding is an cutter should work in this simple jig.
acquired skill, just like any other
Mount a small length of hardwood into a 4-jaw chuck and turn the end
aspect of woodturning. You learn
round. Next, find a wood screw that fits the hole in the carbide cutter
it by doing it over and over again.
and fills the recess area for the screw and is positioned below the surface
In order to consume less tool while
on the cutter. I used a number x 1" (25 mm) screw in the setup shown.
learning to grind, try practicing
However, carbide tool manufacturers would recommend obtaining the
with the grinder turned off. You can
same tapered-head screw that mounts the cutter in its handle.
feel the bevel matching up to the
wheel and the correct arc of the tool Insert a small drill bit into a Jacobs chuck in the tailstock and bore a small
through space without watching pilot hole in the center of the turning. The screw should screw in snugly
your expensive gouge being but not split the wood. If the hole is not centered or the screw is not
transported to the shop floor in a tight, the cutter could move around and be sharpened unevenly. Do not
meteoric shower of sparks. over-tighten the screw.
In the end, it comes down to
what you choose to spend: your Tighten the carbide cutter up to the wood handle and if necessary, turn
time or your money. You can spend away more excess wood for good access. Spin the cutter to a moderate
your time developing a skill, or your RPM. Use a flat diamond file and hold it against the proper angle of the
money on a jig that will almost do carbide cutter. You may have to experiment a little, but the spinning
it for you. Either choice is valid, and cutter will get a razor-sharp edge with a little patience.
no proponent of either method has
If the cutter is flat on top, it is most important to dress the top surface.
any right to feel superior. I have no
The diameter of the cutter will slowly decrease with repeated sharpening,
regrets that I had to learn how to
but you will get a lot more use out of these cutters first.
grind a gouge the old fashioned way
when there was no choice. It’s still This procedure does generate fine carbide dust, which can be bad news
the choice I would make now. for your lungs. Consequently, wear a dust respirator whenever you
—Clay Foster, Krum, FX sharpen carbide, and if you find yourself doing it a lot, figure out a way
to add a water mist to the setup.
—Ken Rizza, Mike Hunter and Phil Vetra

www.woodturner.org Turners Test Sharpening Jigs • 43

Safety Lessons: Sharpening Jigs
Jim Rodgers

A
s the use of sharpening jigs the wheel and potentially injuring tool too close to the maximum
increases, so, too, do the the operator’s hand; tools can slip diameter of the wheel
instances of sharpening forward in the tool holder itself (the equator).
accidents. Injuries that result from causing similar problems. • The process of sharpening tools
fragmented grinding wheels and tools While mechanical failure of is hurried.
and holders that have slipped have sharpening jigs contributes to some • Small-diameter tools are
sent woodturners to the hospital with injuries, human error is usually the improperly placed in jigs not
serious injuries to hands and/or eyes. cause. Here’s why: meant to handle their smaller size.
Sharpening jigs were developed • The person sharpening the tool is
so that we could quickly and distracted and the tool no longer Proper use of grinding jigs
repeatedly produce a tool shape, rides on the wheel. A quick turn • Firmly lock the jig’s extension
bevel, and edge. When using these of a person’s head can easily cause arm and recheck it by pushing or
jigs, however, woodworkers need to the movement of a tool off a 1"- pulling on it.
be aware of some potential dangers. wide grinding wheel, jamming it • Establish a more acute bevel angle
Tools can slide off the face of the between the wheel and the body on your turning tool. Placing
grinding wheels and wedge between of the grinder. the tool high on the sharpening
the wheel and the frame of the • An improper handhold on the jig wheel’s surface reduces the
grinder; the arms of sharpening can cause fingers to be driven into possibility of an accident.
jigs can slip outward away from the still-running grinding wheel. • Reduce the amount of downward
the wheel, causing the tip of the • Too much pressure is applied pressure applied during
tool to move down the surface of to the tool causing mechanical sharpening; this will save tool
the grinding wheel until the tool slippage of the jig’s arm. steel and reduce heat buildup.
grabs at the wheel’s equator and • Improper grinding-jig geometry
instantly wedges itself, fracturing is set, placing the tip of the

AW 24:4, p25

Using a simple shopmade template to set up your sharpening jig for Wrong way! If the sharpening jig slips, fingers will contact the rotating
repeatable distances saves time and tool wear. wheel before the jig does.

44 • Safety Lessons: Sharpening Jigs www.woodturner.org

A safer way to hold the jig is on the top. If a slip occurs, the hand Potential danger: Using a long fixture arm and a blunt sharpening angle
is protected. brings the tip of the tool too close to the wheel’s equator. If the arm of
the jig slips or too much pressure is exerted, it could cause the tool to jam
against the wheel.

Wear safety gear occur when the hand hits the that contributed to most accidents.
A faceshield or safety glasses should rotating wheel during a slippage. Currently two manufactures,
be worn while at the sharpening Sharp Fast and Oneway, have
station. Eye injury is possible while Light touch introduced jigs that eliminate the
sharpening as a result of flying Sharpening should be done with a accidental sideways movement
debris. When dressing a wheel for light touch; this reduces the amount while maintaining the proper
cleaning or reshaping, wear a dust of metal being removed and the heat sharpening geometry. As a teacher
mask. The aluminum oxide dust buildup during the sharpening. A of woodturning at both high school
from a grinding wheel is potentially light touch also allows the operator to and adult levels, I would not be
damaging to lungs. react quickly when a slippage occurs, without such a jig!
perhaps saving a finger.
Proper hold Jim Rodgers is past president of the Bay
When holding the sharpening jig, New sharpening jigs Area Woodturners and director of the
never place your hand between the Until recently, most sharpening turning programs for Mt. Diablo Unified
jig and the grinding wheel. Place one jigs managed the sharpening School District. He can be contacted at
hand on the handle of the tool and geometry well, but still allowed jlrodgers@aol.com or jlrodgers.com.
the other on top of the jig. Accidents for uncontrolled side movements

Better: Create a more acute bevel angle on your tool, which Consider learning how to hand sharpen turning tools. This allows
will place it higher up on the wheel in a safer position you to place a toolrest close to the grinding wheel, eliminating many
when sharpening. potential dangers.

www.woodturner.org Safety Lessons: Sharpening Jigs • 45

Virtues of Wet Grinding
Terry Martin

M
ore than 30 years ago, an equipment. My response was always, far and away the most difficult thing
old-school turner showed “No, I’m fine, thanks. I can do what a beginner has to master. That’s why
me how to sharpen my I want quickly and easily, and I I always teach them to use a jig, so
tools freehand on a grinder, and I don’t need a jig to do it.” In reality, they can concentrate on doing what
practiced for years to get it right. although what I did was sufficient, it they want to do—turn wood.” Glenn
I burnt tool edges, ground multi- was not as good as it could be. showed me how effectively he uses
faceted bevels, and wasted a lot of his wet grinder, and although I did
valuable metal. I considered these Change of thinking my demonstrations with my regular
efforts a rite of passage and mastered A set of unusual circumstances grind, the seed had been planted.
the process reasonably well. I was combined to change my mind. I It might have ended there, but
convinced it was the best way and traveled to Ireland to demonstrate back in Australia, I was watching Theo
never saw the need to change. at Glenn Lucas’s woodturning Haralampou demonstrate turning to a
On a good day, I was able to get school, where he and I discussed large crowd at a tradeshow. The main
an edge that would produce crisp the comparative merits of different thing he was asked was how he got his
shavings that flew off the tool in long grinds. He showed me how his grind tools so sharp. When he explained he
ribbons. When asked, “What angle do does exactly what he wants every always uses a wet grinder and showed
you grind your tool bevels?” I would time. He then told me something them how he does it, they were
joke, “What day is it?” With the that really affected me: “I get return deeply impressed. When Theo asked
development of jigs for sharpening, students all the time, but they don’t me if I wanted to try a wet grinder,
I was approached by manufacturers come back to learn to turn. They I declined. My reaction was just the
and offered a chance to try their come back to learn to sharpen. It’s kind of habitual response that came
from set-in-my-ways thinking.
Theo insisted and invited me
Sharpening a bowl gouge
to his shop. A week later, he showed
me how to grind and hone my bowl
gouge, and I learned I had been
wrong. He reproduced my preferred
grind exactly using the wet-grinder’s
jig. We mounted a piece of wood onto
the lathe, practiced a few cuts, and
I could not believe how easy it was.
After just a few passes, I turned to
Theo and said, “I feel like I’m cutting
twice as well!”
I now have my own wet
grinder, a Tormek, and I was able
to master the sharpening process
quickly because of the excellent
handbook and demonstration DVD
AW 29:3, p22

that comes with it. Also, there are

helpful tutorials online covering
every aspect of wet sharpening. Even

46 • Virtues of Wet Grinding www.woodturner.org

The wheel rotates away from the tool’s The leather honing wheel removes the
cutting edge. grooves from the wet wheel.

How sweet it is!

made a good point about the relative

safety of the two systems: “If you
accidentally touch a spinning wet
wheel, nothing happens, but if you
touch a dry wheel….”
The edge of a gouge sharpened on my The same edge after wet sharpening The only drawback of wet
dry grinder and honing grinding is that initial shaping is
very slow. My Tormek’s black wheel
better, I found objective evidence double the turning time is relatively coarse and makes the
to support my impressions that wet between sharpening. process quicker, but there is a place for
grinding is superior in an article • In one test, after 18 minutes of pre-grinding to speed up the process
by Robbie Farrance, addressing all continuous turning, the wet- of reshaping a tool. To facilitate using
of the questions on comparative ground tool was cutting 3.5 times a dry grinder before wet sharpening,
quality of edge, durability, and faster than the dry-ground tool. Tormek produces a bench-grinder
quality of cut. His conclusions are I agree with Farrance’s mounting set that will give you
backed by microscopic analysis and conclusions. The more I have learned exactly the same shape you can then
timed cutting tests with the results about wet grinding, the more take to your wet grinder for finishing.
shown in graph form. It is a thorough enthusiastic I become. Dry grinding This jig works well. For grinding to
investigation and technically is likely to affect the temper of your reshape a bevel, I would use a ceramic
minded readers will appreciate his tools and even if you don’t burn wheel, or one of the more recent
commitment to unbiased analysis: the edge, the heat has an effect on CBN wheels.
(tormek.com/en/leaflet/pdf/wet_or_ the integrity of the metal. After wet There are other wet grinders
dry_en.pdf) grinding, you are cutting with metal on the market—Grizzly, Delta,
Farrance’s conclusions can that has not been substantially altered Makita, Work Sharp, JET, Northern
be summarized: from its tempered state. This means Industrial—and they will also do a
• After initial shaping, wet the tools stay sharp longer, so you good job. I am certain any of them
grinding is simple, quick, don’t have to sharpen as often. Some will produce a better result than dry
accurate, and repeatable. people have never experienced using grinding. Because Tormek regularly
• Wet grinding creates a polished, a truly sharp tool, but when they do, improves its system, that’s the brand I
burr-free edge, does not overheat they will find it takes less force to cut selected. Try wet sharpening; like me,
the tool, causes less friction in and it cuts so cleanly that the savings you will be amazed how much better
use, and so extends the life of in abrasives alone are significant. your turning experience is.
the edge. Additional benefits in safety are
• Tool life is prolonged because less worth considering. There is none of Terry Martin is a wood artist, writer, and
material is removed. the hot and dangerous debris that curator who lives and works in Brisbane,
• Wet-ground tools produce flies off a dry grinder. Slow-speed wet Australia. He can be contacted at eltel@
cleaner cuts with more than grinders never disintegrate, so there optusnet.com.au.
is no need to wear a faceshield. Theo

www.woodturner.org Virtues of Wet Grinding • 47

Narrow-Belt Sharpening
Kenneth A. Ray

I
have been using a 1-in. X 42-in. angle so that a very small amount I have added a motor-reversing
belt grinder to sharpen my lathe of metal is removed. Setting the switch to run the belt backwards
tools. I still use a 6-in. bench table angle to a 6inch-diameter when sharpening scrapers. It is not
grinder on certain tools, but the belt round wheel is rather difficult. necessary to reorient the belt, even
grinder, with its flat, adjustable table, • The belt can be quickly changed, if it is lap-spliced. Running the belt
offers significant advantages: often without moving the table, upward past the tool produces a more
• The tools are laid flat on the table from coarse for fast shaping to pronounced burr, essential for good
and never lifted during any of the medium for a finished edge. scraper performance.
grinding operations. This greatly • The long belt seems to dissipate I use a 1/2 horsepower
simplifies the sharpening of side- heat better than a small-diameter (1/4-horsepower would be adequate),
ground gouges. wheel, so that tool edges are less 3450rpm motor and a pulley
• By using a set of simple plywood prone to overheating. ratio that results in a belt speed of
templates, the table can be In spite of these advantages, 3,951 feet per minute. I have not
quickly set to different angles. the belt methods do not supplant felt the need to experiment with
Thus the face of each tool can be a regular grinder when a concave other speeds.
presented at the exact appropriate bevel is preferable, as for beading and For general sharpening, I use
parting tools. Some prefer a hollow a 120-grit aluminum oxide closed-
grind on skews also. (Photo 1) coat belt, the least expensive version
The grinder I use is a Delta. Any available. I have tried many different
1-in. or 2-in. belt grinder can be used, belts, ranging from medium to
provided the table has the ability to premium grade, and I find the extra
tilt down about 60 degrees from the cost is not justified. A butt splice will
horizontal. If the table as supplied give a much smoother performance
cannot do that or moves too far from than a lap splice. I have never had a
the belt when tilted to the extreme, belt fail at the splice. If a large amount
an auxiliary table can be added. The of metal needs to be removed for the
table of the Delta grinder can be initial shaping, I recommend a blue
moved closer to the belt as needed. zirconium 80-grit belt.
I tighten the table pivot bolt so You can achieve a finer surface
that firm pressure is required to tilt with a 220-grit (or finer) belt, at
the table; a jam nut maintains the the expense of a slower grind and
position. The table angles are set possible overheating. You can obtain
with plywood templates, as shown a highly polished finish by using a
in the photos. The template angle leather belt charged with a polishing
is the sharpening angle (measured compound and run backwards, away
from the vertical) plus 90 degrees. from the cutting edge. The left hand
The Delta grinder has a rather large supports the tool close to the edge,
table, which is convenient for long and any onset of overheating can
and heavy tools. On small and be detected before the metal loses
miniature tools the tool handle will temper. Dipping the tool in a large
interfere with flat positioning on the container of cool water will help
table. Place a small piece of wood keep the temperature down. I use
AW 9:4, p24

of the required thickness under the a brace against the back of the belt
shaft of the tool to provide clearance platen to prevent angle changes,
1. Author’s 1-in. belt grinder and angle
during sharpening. however slight, when pressing the
templates for flat-grind tool sharpening.

48 • Narrow-Belt Sharpening www.woodturner.org

2. To sharpen a side-ground gouge, the tool is kept flat on the table and the handle is swung from side to side as the tool is rolled.
The more swing and roll, the more pronounced the side-grind.

tool against the belt. The pressure and skews to slide better across the can vary from a mild side grind
required is very light, making it easy tool rest. shown on the Jerry Glaser gouge to a
to maintain smooth movements Spindle gouges and large more pronounced grind on a Sorby
during sharpening. roughing gouges are also ground at 57 deep bowl gouge. The relief angles
You sharpen a straight-ended degrees using the 147-degree template shown in the photo are arbitrary. For
scraper simply by laying it flat on the and keeping the tool flat on the table, the sake of convenience, I use the
table and sliding it from side to side. except, instead of sliding or swinging 147-degree template on the Glaser
I am in the habit of moving even the tool, you roll it. Small-diameter gouge to get a 57-degree relief angle
narrow tools across the face of the spindle gouges are held at right angles and the 135-degree template to get a
belt. This helps in keeping the tool to the belt and simply rolled back and 45-degree relief on the Sorby gouge. I
cool and in evening the wear on the forth along the table. A large-diameter grind the new 7/i6-in. M4 detail gouge
belt. I sharpen a round-nose scraper roughing gouge may require a change by Glaser at a 57-degree sharpening
using the first finger of the left hand of position on the table to keep it in angle and use a 155-degree template
as a pivot and swinging the handle range of the belt. This will not show to get a 65-degree relief angle. If
from side to side. A quick glance at up in the finished surface. A flat you are using different angles on
the result after the first momentary diamond paddle is useful for touching your tools, make your templates
contact will show a shiny line across up edges between grindings, and a to correspond.
the entire bevel, confirming that the tapered diamond rod is indispensible There are many variations
angle has been duplicated exactly. for removing the light burr inside possible using the belt and table
I use two angles for scrapers. The gouges and polishing the flute. system. The photos show my version
majority are sharpened at 35 degrees To create the side-grind on a of the nib-gouge grind by Melvyn
(all bevel angles are measured from deep bowl gouge you again keep Firmager. I use the 147-degree
the vertical, the tool horizontal). the tool flat on the table and now template and rock the tool slightly on
Some small narrow scrapers I sharpen do two movements at once: swing either side of center before completing
at 25 degrees, since the larger angle the handle from side to side, rolling the roll as you would for a normal
would remove too much material the tool slightly as you swing. Start gouge. This creates an S-curved edge
from the underside of the tool. Steep- the roll when the tool passes center on each side with a nib in the center
angled chisels, such as Rude Osolnik’s and increase it progressively until and two pronounced wings at the top.
round-point chisels, are ground at a reaching maximum roll at the end of These raised wings will cut quickly
57-degree angle, using the 147-degree the swing, as shown in the photos. and smoothly but are prone to
template. I chamfer the underside There is nothing sacred about catching in some situations.
edges of all flat tools such as scrapers the amount of swing and roll; it

3. Three different grinds: A mild side grind on a Glaser gouge, left. Center, a more pronounced side grind on a Sorby deep bowl gouge.
And right, a nib-gouge grind.

www.woodturner.org Narrow-Belt Sharpening • 49

Shop-Built Sharpening Jigs
King Heiple

A
s fingernail grinds for turning
tools became steadily more
popular, I struggled to learn
to create them freehand. And with
persistence I gradually acquired
reasonable proficiency, but I never
could produce exactly the same
angle each time and often had less
than perfect results.
After buying two different
commercial systems for fingernail
grinds, I got much better results.
But many of my fellow turners
in the Northcoast Woodturners
chapter in Cleveland were reluctant
to make such an investment for
something they doubted could
make a difference in their work.
Author uses his sharpening system to grind a large roughing-out gouge. The support arm
When our club decided to purchase can be adjusted to accommodate all sizes of gouges, so that each can be ground to the
its own grinder to go with its three correct angle every time. The rest at right can be used for scrapers and skews, or can be
lathes, though, I suddenly decided replaced with a second gouge support.
that the club had to have a dedicated
sharpening jig system to be really make two slides at once, to avoid the but you may use a slightly different
useful. In light of the club’s budget, I hassle of changing the slide between angle. This system will also do a
decided to build one from scratch. the two wheels. By having an spindle gouge very nicely, but the
The result of my work is shown economical way to obtain two slides, slide will be moved in towards the
in this article. I used it at home for you’re already better off than you wheel until the nose angle is closer
a month and now prefer my gouge- would be with a commercial unit. to 45-degrees. Again, you may prefer
holding jig over the commercial ones Figure 1 represents the side something slightly different.
I also own. view of the grinder on its base. I built this base from
The height of the wood block will 3/4-in.-thick plywood, carpenter’s
Base and slides vary, depending upon whether glue, and screws. Note that you
The only metal parts are two 5/16-in. your grinder has 8-in., 7-in. or 6-in. have to match fairly closely the
T-nuts and matching thumbscrews, diameter wheels. Size the pieces centerline distance between your
available from any local hardware, so that the pivot dimple in the grinder wheels. In addition, after
and enough construction screws to block is 4 in. below the midpoint of laying it out carefully, put in your
assemble. Glue all the joints together the face of your wheel. When I’m T-nuts before assembly as it would be
during assembly as well; the unit has sharpening/grinding a bowl gouge impossible after it is together. Better
to withstand lots of vibration over the distance from the face of the also if you recess the T-nuts flush
AW 14:4, p28

time. Make the base first, as shown wheel will be about 7 in. Vary this to avoid catching your slide. Any
in Figure 1, then custom fit the slides to set the nose angle on your bowl 2x2- in. stock would make the slides,
to move easily. It’s a good idea to gouge. I set mine to get 65 degrees but I used some left over maple as it

50 • Shop-Built Sharpening Jigs www.woodturner.org

will be more durable and dent less
from the thumbscrew. The slides
should move easily in their tunnels.
If you put the grinder at the
front edge of your base you will have
trouble using the thumbscrews. Keep
its base 3 in. back from the front edge
of your base.

The gouge holding jig

The various components of Figure 3
detail the Gouge Holding jig. Note
that the figure has a dimensional
scale along its top edge, as the
dimensions of this need to be
accurate. If the scale lines are not
1 in. (dots = 1/4 in.) apart on the
illustration, enlarge (or reduce) for a
more accurate copy.
This jig requires one 5/16-
in. T-nut and matching 1-1/2-in.
thumbscrew, plus 6 in. of 5/16-in.
metal rod (which could even be
from an 8-in. carriage bolt). Use
any fine-grained hard wood for this
jig. Trim to 1/2-in. thickness. Note
that the grain is run vertically on
the sides, as it must resist tension in
this direction. While you’re at it, cut
yourself enough pieces to make three
or four jigs at once. You probably will
spoil one or more and you may want
to have an extra one besides. The author’s simple jig, used in conjunction with his shop-built support arm, makes it
Cut the strips for the bottom possible for anyone to obtain consistently perfect results when grinding the fingernail
first, and drill for the pivot rod profile favored by many contemporary turners.
and T-nut. Put in the T-nut before
assembly as it will be buried and The side pieces (Figure 3B) need the end as is shown in Fig. 3C, so
impossible to reach later. Again, to be carefully shouldered until the that the corners of the jig do not hit
it should be flush with the wood center opening is just a bit (1/32 the grindstone.
surface. The angle for the pivot in.) wider than the widest gouge you To make the jig usable with 1/2-
rod needs to be fairly close to will need to sharpen, for example in. diameter or smaller gouges, make
130-degrees from the horizontal 21/32 in. for a 5/8-in. gouge. And a 30-degree V-shaped centering
(or 50-degrees measured the other then you can cut the top strip to strip, as shown in Figs. 3B and 3D. It
way). If the angle is off significantly, match this spacing. should fit loosely and move up easily
ream out its hole a bit and use epoxy A metal strip of any kind to clamp in a smaller gouge. A small
or thick super-glue to set the rod at cemented into the top of the bent finishing nail at each end will
the correct angle. The lower end of opening, as shown in Fig. 3B, will prevent it from falling out.
the pivot should be rounded and prevent your gouge edges from Although this jig is primarily
smooth and make sure the upper eroding your jig. When the unit designed for bowl gouges, it does
end does not protrude into the has been completely assembled work quite well on spindle gouges.
center opening. and aligned, and the glue is dry, You may not wish to bring the grind
trim it on a disk sander and taper back quite so far for spindle gouges.

www.woodturner.org Shop-Built Sharpening Jigs • 51

Take one of the several jigs you made
and increase the angle between the Figure 1
gouge and rod to 145 degrees (or 35
degrees measured the other way)
to produce a shorter side bevel. My
entire grinding system was finished
with water-based polyurethane. It’s a
simple-to-apply, durable, and easy-
to-clean finish.

Scraper or freehand rest

For sharpening a scraper, cut-off tool
or performing some other semi-
freehand sharpening job, some sort
of steady rest is very helpful. The
one in in the drawing offers many
possibilities. Go back and add a
vertical 3/4-in. hole in each of your Figure 2
slides, 1-1/4 in. ahead of the V.
Cut a support block 1-1/2-in.
X 2-1/4in. X 8-in. long and put a V
on one edge to match the V on your
slides. With it in place snugly in the
V, mark the end through the hole in
the slide for drilling (a dowel center
is handy for this). Drill a vertical 3/4-
in. hole in the end and glue in a 4-to-
5-in. length of 3/4-in. turned dowel.
Now trim and sand the piece
until it is a snug knock-in fit. Leave
the dowel long enough to make it
easy to knock out.
Pick the angle you like to grind Figure 3
scrapers at (mine are about 15
degrees) and mark the block to be
trimmed for your rest platform so
that its front edge is at the midpoint
of the wheel.
The essentials of this rest are
shown in the drawings. A similar one
with just a round rod for a platform
is also handy.

Fingernail grind
on a bowl gouge
If you are starting out with a
conventional standard grind, the
kind you might expect straight-
from-the factory, as shown in Figure
4 (or even squarer), begin by putting
a 65-degree nose angle on it as in

52 • Shop-Built Sharpening Jigs www.woodturner.org

 here, but the distance should be the nose. If this happens you will have
same every time. to further grind back the wings to
Put a distance mark or stop on eliminate them as they will produce
Figure 4 the base so you can set it the same digs and catch in use.
every time. Set the slide pivot point
about 7 in. from the face of the
wheel and visually check the nose
angle. Adjust to about 65 degrees (or
the angle of your choice). As your
wheel wears away, you will have to
move the slide in slightly to keep
Figure 5 the nose bevel grind close to 65
degrees. You can’t ignore this factor.
I just touch the nose to the stopped
Figure 5, unless it already has one of wheel and check visually that it is
this angle. in complete contact with the wheel
Then turn the tool face down before starting.
Figure 8
on the wheel and grind off the face At least 95% of your grinding
of the top at about a 30-degree angle with a bowl gouge will be on the
to the long axis, as indicated in the two sides of the gouge. Skip the tip Finally, the jig will also do
sketches. Continue cautiously until entirely until the very last pass or equally well on a spindle gouge
the complete outline of the desired two and then keep a light touch as with slight changes in technique.
fingernail is seen as in Figure 6. The you swing the tip over the wheel. Still leave the tool protrude 2 in.
face will now have flats on each side Initially you will not swing the tool from the face of the jig but move
of the fingernail. These will need to handle through enough arc to get the slide in until the nose angle is
be totally ground away before the the wings ground back properly. The about 45 degrees (or your choice).
tool will be sharp. Note that the sides tool handle will have to go through You do not need to grind the top face
have much more metal to be ground greater than a 180-degree arc, from at all, just start the tool through its
away than the tip. more than 90 degrees left to more full swing on the wheel. The major
Mount your gouge in the than 90 degrees right, to get the difference is, in a complete reverse
130-degree (50-degree) sharpening sides of the grind back as in Figure 5. of the bowl gouge, that you will
jig. The tool should protrude about Keep looking at the grind from the now seem to have to spend most of
2 in. from the face of the jig. It is not side. The two wings should have the your grinding time on the tip rather
necessary to be excessively exact same height and contour, and should than the sides to avoid having an
excessively sharp pointed tool. One
smaller 3/8-in. spindle gouge ground
this way, however, so that it has a
rather pointed fingernail, makes an
excellent detailing gouge.

Figure 7 King Heiple is a turner and retired

orthopedic surgeon in Pepper Pike,
OH. He is a member of the Northcoast
either be flat or slightly convex in Woodturners chapter in Cleveland.
profile, not unequal or concave as
the near edge of the tool in Figure 7.
In addition, unless you just
barely touch the tip of the tool to
the wheel as you swing past the
midpoint of the arc, the tip will
grind back too far and leave two
Figure 6 cheeks sticking out ahead of the

www.woodturner.org Shop-Built Sharpening Jigs • 53

Shop-Built Wide-Belt System
Jim Echter

W
hile researching
sharpening systems for
woodturners, belt systems Modifications to the low-cost belt-disk
piqued my interest. For years I sander include, from left, a sliding jig
for spindle-roughing gouges, skew
have been sharpening on an 8"
chisels, and parting tools, an adjustable
two-wheel dry grinder equipped mounting post for gouge-sharpening
with a jig for gouges on one wheel, jigs, and a honing wheel with a
and an adjustable-angle platform shopmade combo toolrest and guard.
for scrapers on the other. But the
argument for a flat grind instead of
the usual hollow grind made sense
to me, so I decided to buy a belt-disk
sanding machine and modify it to
my purposes.
I possess the frugality gene,
which means I needed to find
a machine within my limited
tool budget. Luckily a couple of
members of my local AAW chapter,
who also have the frugality gene,
discovered that an effective system
could be built using an imported
belt-disk sander. So off I went to
the Harbor Freight store with my
20% off coupon from the Sunday
newspaper. I came home with their
combination 4" × 36" belt/6" disk
sander, catalog number 97181, for
about $100 (2013) (Photo 1). The
modifications included:
• dismantling the sander table for
parts to make a jig-mounting
post for gouge sharpening
(Photos 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 17)
• extending the disk-sander shaft
to mount a buffing wheel for
honing (Photos 7, 11)
• making and mounting a combo 1 2
guard and toolrest for the A catalog photo showing the Harbor Freight For this modification, unpack the parts but
AW 27:6, p20

honing wheel (Photos 8, 9, 10) belt-disk sander fully assembled. Watch for a do not mount the disk sander or its table.
• making an adjustable tool holder sale coupon before you buy it. Also, remove the back cover and bottom
for spindle-roughing gouges, dust port, the sanding-belt guard, and the
drive-belt cover.

54 • Shop-Built Wide-Belt System www.woodturner.org

 Jig post and socket
(5) Install the parts into the front table
hole and tighten the side screw. Between
the side screw and the front screw,
the post can be positioned to suit the
sharpening jig you use.

3
Dismantle the disk sander’s side table
and extract these parts, which we used to
make a post and socket to hold jigs for the
abrasive belt.

6
Turn a jig socket to slip over the upright
post; my post was .470" in diameter so I
could drill a 1/2" hole. The jig’s ball pivot
4 5 fits into the socket on top of the turning.
Assemble the salvaged parts like this. Photo 17 shows how this works.

Honing disk and guard

7 8 9
The 1/2" arbor will need a nylon spacer Use the long bolt and the 1/8" steel bar to Tap the 5/32" holes in the bolt for two
to connect it to the metric disk shaft. Drill make the combo toolrest and guard for the 10-32 × 1/2" machine screws for
out the spacer to match the disk sander buffing wheel. Drill two 5/32" holes in the mounting the steel guard bar.
side shaft. Drill clearance holes to match mounting bolt. Drill 13/64" clearance holes
the arbor set screws. in the steel bar.

10 11
Run the long bolt into the hole in the To stiffen the buffing wheel, turn a pair
machine base, then screw the steel bar of support disks from 1/4" hardboard and
to it. Bend the bar at 2" for about 30° or back them up with the fender washers.
what looks right against your wheel. These disks are about 4-1/2" in diameter.

www.woodturner.org Shop-Built Wide-Belt System • 55

 skew chisels, and parting tools polishing compound, will edge and you are quickly back at the
(Photos 12, 13, 16) remove the wire burr. Once lathe, enjoying the sweetness of a
• twisting the drive belt to you start using this system sharp tool.
reverse the direction of the to sharpen metal tools, never
sanding belt and honing sand wood with it. Wood Getting started
wheel (Photos 14, 15) With dust and metal sharpening This system was easy to build. It took
this setup, the belt and disk sparks do not mix. And longer driving to my local hardware
both run away from the sharp always remember to wear your stores to purchase the parts than the
tool edge, eliminating the risk safety glasses. actual build time. Listed below are
of a dangerous catch. Bowl The beauty of this system is that the parts I had to buy, a grand total
and spindle gouges can be you can change belt grits quickly. of about $20 less the arbor, which I
sharpened in the same manner Use a coarse-grit belt to change the already owned.
using the same jigs as you profile of a tool and a fine-grit belt • One 12 mm × 130 mm bolt
would with grinding wheels. for putting on a fresh sharp edge. • Two 10-32 × 1/2" machine screws
Since the belt runs away from Charge the buffing wheel with an • One .500 OD × .385 ID × 1"
the edge, a quick touch to the abrasive polishing compound. Just nylon spacer
buffing wheel, charged with a light touch will remove the wire • One 6" buffing wheel and
polishing compound
• One 1/2" arbor
• One 1-1/2" wide × 1/8" thick × 9"
Adjustable tool holder long steel bar stock
• Two 1/2" fender washers
• One 8" × 28" hardwood board
• One 12" T-Channel
• One T-Bolt
• One Knob to suit
• Five #8 × 1-1/4" panhead screws
for mounting sander to board

Jim Echter is a professional turner who

12 13 lives near Rochester, NY. He specializes
in making tools for fiber artists, turning
The sliding V block that holds the handle Drill a 1/4" hole for the T-bolt and plastic
of the tool being sharpened is a piece of locking knob, and drill a second hole near custom architectural pieces, and teaching.
1-1/2" maple with 1/4" hardboard scraps the front for a small piece of 1/4" dowel to Jim’s home club is the Finger Lakes
forming the pocket. It slides in a 12" help track the V block. Marks on the blue Woodturners Association, and his website
length of T-channel in a routed groove tape index the V block for different tools. is truecreations.biz.
that is centered on the abrasive belt (not
on the board).

Reverse direction

14 15
To reverse the direction of the sanding belt Tighten the motor mount bolts but let the
and honing wheel, loosen the motor bolts motor twist as much as it can to minimize
and twist the drive belt into a figure eight. wear on the twisted belt.
Remount the drive-belt cover.

56 • Shop-Built Wide-Belt System www.woodturner.org

 The machine Pioneers of belt sharpening Jon Siegel
in action Woodcraft Supply popularized the belt-buff
sharpening concept in the 1970s with their
Mark II system, which featured a 2" (5 cm) belt
running over a large round contact wheel. Today,
those machines are collectors’ items. When new,
they were expensive—$1,400 when corrected
for inflation. After using the Woodcraft machine
and liking its results, I decided to make my own.
It needed to be portable for teaching, to have a
flat platen instead of a round contact wheel, an
incrementally adjustable pocket jig, and a much
lower speed.
I retained several things from the Woodcraft
design: a five-second belt change, pocket jigs Woodcraft introduced the belt-buff concept 40 years
instead of a platform, the ability to sharpen and ago with this Mark II system.
buff on the same machine, and upward belt Photo courtesy Guild of
travel, away from the edge. This quest led me New Hampshire Woodworkers

to converting low-cost imported 4" × 36" (10

cm × 90 cm) belt sanders. I sold more than 200
16 through my company, Big Tree Tools LLC.
Here is the machine in action, In 2012, we decided to stop making the
sharpening a skew chisel. For easy
machines. Woodworkers continued to ask about
repeatability, the sliding V block
indexes against marks on the blue
them, however, and I reconsidered how I could
tape. I removed the rubber feet from further the belt-sharpening revolution. I have
the sander and used five #8 x 1-1/4" assembled a team to design a new and better
panhead screws to mount the sander belt machine that will be capable of sharpening
on the wooden base. most woodworking hand tools. Having already
built hundreds of the previous models, we have
good ideas about what we need to improve.
17
Advantages of a belt machine
Converting woodworkers from wheels to
belts involves big changes, but the advantages
are huge:
• G rinding wheels run too fast, overheating the
steel, intimidating beginners, and sometimes
causing accidents.
On the Big Tree Tools flat-platen belt machine, both
• I t is time-consuming to change the grit in a sides of a skew chisel can be ground and sharpened
grinder wheel system; turners will settle for from a single jig position. The belt machine works
using the same grit for everything, which limits equally well if the edge of the skew is straight
versatility. Belts can be changed in five seconds. or curved.
• With a belt-buff system, chisels can be
sharpened in ten seconds (including setup To get started before our new machines are ready
and deburring). This eliminates sharpening for market, consider following our approach, as
procrastination and fosters turning with truly developed by Jim Echter in his DYI belt-sharpening
sharp tools. system article. You will be delighted to have
The Tru-Grind gouge-sharpening jig evolved beyond the stone age of sharpening.
pivots in the socket turned into the
• A belt-buff system virtually eliminates time-
top of the jig-holding sleeve. consuming hand-honing, while accurate jigs Jon Siegel can be contacted at
assure repeatable setups that allow you to big@proctornet.com.
remove the minimum amount of metal.

www.woodturner.org Shop-Built Wide-Belt System • 57

Does Honing Pay Off?
Alan Lacer & Jeryl Wright

I
have heard many discussions How do you test for sharpness? a woodturner would be using the
and fielded a lot of interesting There are tests used in the cutlery tool. The surface finish that a tool
questions while traveling trade to measure the amount of creates on wood has significance:
amongst woodturners. A common force needed to cut rubber bands Does one need to start with 40-grit
assertion is that some steels don’t or to measure a knife’s penetration abrasive or is sanding even needed, a
get as sharp as others or that high into various objects. While this decision that will have an impact on
carbon steel (HCS) tools get much can be an easy test for a flat knife the turned object’s shape and detail,
sharper than high speed steel (HSS) blade, testing for sharpness is a amount of dust produced, surface
tools. Another common view is that bit harder to do with gouges and finish, and time spent sanding.
honing is a waste of time: the burr thick skew chisels. With the help of
will “strop off” in the wood; honing Jerry Wright, I decided to conduct Tool preparation
takes so much time it’s inefficient; empirical sharpening and turning We tested skew chisels and
or woodturners don’t need a really tests and let readers judge which bowl gouges from major tool
sharp tool. Often, such views about sharpening methods produce the manufacturers. First, we ground
steel and honing are spoken as fact, best turned surface. Images of highly the edges using a dry wheel grinder,
not just opinion. My experiences magnified cutting edges and turned adhering to standard methods
run counter to these viewpoints, so surfaces are provided as objective of sharpening. We ground them
I knew something more was needed data. From these images one can freehand, using a rigid platform
to test these “facts” in an objective, judge the degree of sharpness of an for support. The grinder ran at
scientific manner. edge and the impact that edge has 1,725 rpm and had a 60 grit SG,
on a piece of wood, cut in the way 8"-diameter wheel. Grinding was

Methods of honing To place the bevel of

a skew chisel correctly
Polishing flutes To polish or refine the
on a diamond hone, flute of a gouge, use a
hold the handle wheel made of MDF,
securely and use an turned to a convex
up-and-down motion, shape that fits the
starting at the back of profile of the flute.
the bevel. Move the Coat the wheel with
hone to simultaneously an emery stick. Work
touch the area just only the last 1" or so
below the cutting of the flute. The wheel
edge and the back of should spin away
1 the bevel. 3 from you.
The flute of a gouge
must also be honed.
The curved radius of a
slipstone or a tapered (4A) Gouge flute with
diamond cone is held milling marks (100X).
AW 24:2, p22

flat in the flute and

worked with a back- (4B) Gouge flute
2 and-forth motion. 4A 4B after polishing (100X).

58 • Does Honing Pay Off? www.woodturner.org

conducted until the sparks came
evenly over the top of the tool’s edge.
Polishing flutes: progression
For each tool’s bevel, we produced a of honing and polishing
single facet, slightly hollow ground.
Bevel angles were uniform from tool
to tool.

Methods of honing
We honed the bevels of the skews
and gouges with the flat side of
a 600-grit, diamond slipstone
and used the curved edges of the
slipstone to hone the inside flutes of 5A 5B
the gouges. A flat hone for the skews Gouge edge, ground only (20X). Gouge edge, bevel honed (20X).
and the outside bevel of gouges,
combined with a tapered diamond
hone for the flutes of gouges, would
have worked equally well. To avoid
rounded over cutting edges, we (5C) Gouge edge,
maintained a two-point contact bevel and flute
of the bevels (hone touching at honed (20X).
the back of bevel and just below (5D) Gouge edge,
the cutting edge). When honing bevel honed,
the inside of gouges, we held the flute honed and
rounded edge of the hone flat inside 5C 5D polished (100X).
the flute. For tools freshly ground,
the honing process took under three
minutes. Less than one minute usually takes less than five minutes. the lathe. Bowl gouge cuts were from
is normal for honing between (Photos 4A and 4B) smaller to larger diameters, with the
grinding. (Photos 1 and 2) The cutting edges of gouges flute pointed in the direction of cut.
are shown as they are refined from This is a common method of using a
Polishing flutes an initial ground state through the bowl gouge and never approached a
We polished the flute of one of progression of honing and polishing. finishing-type method of cutting.
the gouges to determine if this Note the removal of grinding burrs.
additional preparation had any (Photos 5A-5D) Wood cutting basics
impact on the sharpness. To polish Cutting edges of skew chisels are Much has been written about the
the flute, we turned a disc of shown as they are refined from the process of chip formation and
medium density fiberboard (MDF) ground state to the honed state. Note resulting wood surfaces, because of
and then created a bead to fit the the reduction of edge roughness after its importance to commercial wood
profile of the flute. The MDF can be honing. (Photos 6A-6D) processing. The most important
mounted on a faceplate or an arbor variables affecting milled or planed
as shown in Photo 3. (Either work Methods of cutting wood wood surfaces (other than wood
from the back of the lathe, or if you To provide a chall1enge, we chose species, moisture content, and grain
intend to run the lathe in reverse, dried redwood (8% moisture orientation) are cutter velocity,
secure the faceplate or arbor to content) for our tests, since it’s not feed rate, depth of cut, and cutting
the spindle.) With the direction of particularly desirable for turning. edge sharpness. Higher cutter rpm,
rotation spinning away from you, To test the gouges, we mounted slower feed rate, shallower cuts,
charge the bead area with a stick of the wood on a screw chuck, grain and higher degrees of sharpness all
emery. We polished only the last 1" orientated as for bowl turning. improve surface finish. Within the
of the flute to remove the milling When testing the skew chisels, the limits available to woodturners, tool
marks. Depending on the hardness wood was mounted between centers, sharpness is the strongest variable.
and toughness of the steel, this grain direction parallel to the axis of It has been shown in commercial

www.woodturner.org Does Honing Pay Off? • 59

 Polishing flutes: edges of skew chisels

6A 6B 6C 6D
Skew chisel edge, bevel ground Skew chisel edge, ground and Edge view of skew chisel edge, Edge view of skew chisel,
only (20X). honed (20X). ground (200X). ground and honed (200X).

milling operations that very minor Intersections of rough surfaces series of stones of increasing fineness.
improvements in cutting edge create blunt or jagged edges while On the other hand, woodturning
sharpness cause fourfold reductions intersections of smooth surfaces tools can have complex, curved
in surface roughness. create sharp edges. This is commonly shapes, often ground from two
Cutting edges are formed by accepted for those familiar with sides. Admittedly, these edges can
the intersection of two surfaces. chisels, plane irons, and knives. It is be difficult to grind and hone.
The refinement of the cutting routine to bring these linear edges to
edge determines its sharpness. high degrees of refinement using a

Grinding wheels Hardness of materials

With the advent of modern HSS and produces a high-end 8" version To see why traditional hones and
high-wear steels for turning tools, and a new line of 3X wheels. grinding wheels may have trouble
choosing the right grinding wheel They perform quite well. The less with HSS and high-wear steels,
is a must. First of all, gray wheels are expensive wheels do not have as compare the different hardness
out. They grind slowly or hardly at high a percentage of the crystalline values below. All HSS and high-
all, require constant dressing, go dull material as the premium wheels, yet wear steels contain significant
quickly, and generate too much heat. they grind well on modern tools. quantities of vanadium carbides,
A premium friable aluminum oxide which exceed the hardness of
wheel in 60 or 80 grit for sharpening Regardless of the type of grinding
many abrasives.
and 46 grit for heavy grinding in an wheel you use, you must regularly
I, J, or K hardness (I is the softest, dress it to clean, sharpen, level, and Relative Knoop hardness values:
true it. For SG wheels, a diamond – Diamond = 7000 to 8000
K harder, and J is my preferred
choice) will work well. Expect to pay dresser is a must, but diamond – Cubic boron nitride (CBN) = 4700
between $45 and $75 each for an 8" dressers also work great on any – Vanadium carbide = 2500
quality wheel. wheel. Avoid the cheaply made
plated wheel dressers, opting for – Silicon carbide = 2400
The newer seeded gel (SG) wheels either a jigging system with one – Aluminum oxide = 2100
work even better and have a longer large diamond or a T-shaped system – Tungsten carbide = 1900
life. Constructed of submicron for freehand dressing. Dressing – Hardened steel (65 HRC) = 825
crystalline particles that constantly grinding wheels frequently and
– Quartz (silica) = 700 (Arkansas
reveal sharp edges, these wheels lightly keeps them in top shape.
and Washita stones are classified
grind aggressively and have a
as silica-quartz.)
long life. The Norton Company

60 • Does Honing Pay Off? www.woodturner.org

Methods of examination Skews: effects of
The variously sharpened skews and grinding and honing Gouges: effects of
gouges and turned redwood were Skews manufactured from M2 HSS
examined and photographed using were chosen to demonstrate the grinding and honing
a 54 megapixel optical imaging impact of different edge-preparation
microscope, at magnifications up methods on the appearance of
to 200X. The field of view at this the cutting edge as well as the
magnification is approximately appearance of the cut wood surfaces.
3/64" wide. This high magnification, We then chose skews manufactured
unusually high depth of field, and from PM (powdered metal) M4,
color photography make possible the 2060, and CPM (Crucible Particle
easy observation of the cutting edges Metallurgy) 10V (A11) to determine
and the relative smoothness of the whether fine-edge preparation
cut surfaces. techniques would be successful
on these highly alloyed steels. A 7A 7B
Gouges: effects of skew chisel made from HCS was (7A) Cutting edge of a M2 HSS gouge,
grinding and honing also examined to judge the edge ground only (200X).
Gouges manufactured from M2 HSS quality versus the base M2. Often, it (7B) Resulting cut wood surface
were chosen to demonstrate the is thought that HCS can produce a (100X).
impact of different edge-preparation better edge.
methods on the appearance of Skews are deceptively difficult
the cutting edge as well as the to sharpen. The cutting edge is the
appearance of the cut wood surfaces. intersection of two ground surfaces.
Then gouges manufactured from The relative coarseness of each
2030, 2060, CPM 10V (A11) and surface has a decided impact on the
CPM 15V were chosen to determine edge as the surfaces interact with
whether fine-edge preparation each other. As a result, the fineness
techniques would be successful on of the grinds directly affects the
these highly alloyed steels. edge sharpness.
We prepared the gouges to test Skews were prepared two ways: 8A 8B
three ways: only the bevel ground, bevel ground and bevel ground (8A) Cutting edge of a M2 HSS gouge,
the bevel ground and honed, and and honed. Photos 12A, 12B, 13A bevel ground and honed (200X).
the bevel ground and honed and and 13B show the edges of the (8B) Resulting cut wood surface
the flute honed. Photos 7A, 7B, 8A, skew and the cutting results of the (100X).
8B, 9A and 9B show the progression wood’s surface, using an M2 skew,
of edges from coarse to refined as ground and ground and honed. The
the burrs are removed by honing, cut wood surfaces show a marked
as well as improvement in cut- difference from rough and torn, to
wood surfaces. The edges become much more level and uniform.
smoother as the intersecting surfaces The results we received from
become more refined. As a result, HCS, as well as highly alloyed
there is a huge difference in wood materials, demonstrate that similar
surfaces cut with a gouge that was results are also possible with low
only ground and one that was alloy HCS as well as PM M4, 2060,
ground and honed. (Photo 10) and CPM 10V (A11), again, grades 9A 9B
Results from the highly alloyed that are often thought to be difficult (9A) Cutting edge of a M2 HSS gouge,
materials are shown in Photos or impossible to sharpen. bevel and flute honed (200X).
11A-11D. We also noted that similar (9B) Resulting cut wood surface
results are possible with 2030, 2060, (100X).
CPM 10V (A11) and CPM 15V, grades
that are often thought to be difficult
or impossible to sharpen.

www.woodturner.org Does Honing Pay Off? • 61

 Observations
From a woodturner’s perspective,
Gouge comparison there are a number of conclusions
to be drawn from the examination
of tool edges and the wood cut with
those edges.
• All of the different steels got
sufficiently sharp to cut the
wood cleanly and that is what
it’s really all about, rather
than some mystical concept
of sharpness. The method of
preparing the edge is the key to
tool sharpness. Clearly, an edge
that is not honed produces a
torn surface when cutting poor-
quality wood, regardless of the
steel. Some woodturners believe
that there is no need to hone, as
10 the burr will simply strop off in
the wood; however, experience
Even with an unmagnified view, huge differences are observable in surface finishes.
The upper half was cut with a freshly ground M2 bowl gouge, while the lower half with HSS and especially the
was cut with a 2060 bowl gouge, bevel and flute honed. higher wearing steels (10V, 2030,
2060, 15V) is that the burr is
tough and does not readily strop
Effects of gouges off in the wood.
• Diamond honing materials
can easily cut all of the
steel alloys on the market.
Traditional stones
(Arkansas, Washita, India,
crysolon, ceramic) are
ineffective or require an
inordinate amount of time to
achieve an improved edge on
11A 11B HSS and also on the high-wear
Magnification 100X, wood surfaces cut Magnification 100X, wood surfaces cut steels we tested. This is because
with PM 2030 gouge. with PM 2060 gouge. the common HSS, like M2 and
M4, super HSS such as PM 2030
and 2060, and the high-wear
steels such as CPM 10V and 15V,
contain significant quantities of
hard carbides. These tungsten,
molybdenum, and vanadium
carbides far exceed the hardness
of traditional sharpening stones.
Jerry Glaser, who championed
the use of highly alloyed PM
11C 11D materials, referred to traditional
Magnification 100X, wood surfaces cut Magnification 100X, wood surfaces cut honing materials as “old
with CPM 10V gouge. with CPM 15V gouge.
methods” and diamond as “new
methods” of honing—we have

62 • Does Honing Pay Off? www.woodturner.org

 Skews: effects of grinding and honing

12A 12B 13A 13B

Cutting edge of a M2 HSS skew, Resulting cut wood surface Cutting edge of a M2 HSS skew, Resulting cut wood surface
ground (200X). (100X). ground and honed (200X). (100X).

to learn to work with diamond. does smooth inner flutes when To be fair to all of those who
All of the different types of done with a slipstone or cone, have argued that honing is a waste
diamond (synthetic mono but for those who don’t hone, or of time or that certain steels do not
and polycrystalline, as well as those with flutes that have very get as sharp as others, it seems as
natural) on the market will hone deep grooves from the milling though those viewpoints are based
contemporary turning tools. process, there is a problem on the honing material being used.
However, the type of diamond, of sharpness. Traditional honing materials work
smoothness of plate, and how • A well-manufactured flute, free well on HCS tools but poorly, slowly,
diamond is attached to a plate of deep milling marks, is a big or virtually not at all on HSS and
determine the longevity of a plus and can speed the honing high-wear steels, so if you don’t
diamond hone. process. Polishing the flutes hone HSS and high-wear steel with
• A cutting edge is the intersection is an option, but it would be a diamond hone, they will not be as
of two planes—and both of admirable if was already done sharp as HCS that has been honed.
those planes should be smooth by the tool makers. Honing
to produce a fine edge. On skew with diamond will, to a large Alan Lacer (www.alanlacer.com) is a
chisels, this is not an issue once extent, cut through most of the woodturner, teacher, and writer living
you have honed both surfaces. milling marks sooner or later, so near River Falls, WI. Dr. Jeryl Wright (jeryl.
However, with gouges, the polishing may not offer a huge wright@crucible.com) is a woodturner and
bevel is produced by grinding increase in edge sharpness over vice president of technology for Crucible
and honing, while the inside regular honing. Specialty Metals in Syracuse, NY. He earned
surface is a product of the a ScD in metallurgy from Massachusetts
manufacturing process. Honing Institute of Technology.

www.woodturner.org Does Honing Pay Off? • 63

How to Hone Edge Tools
Alan Lacer

F
or me honing is like a cold invariably you’ll grind a short bevel
swim-quickly in and quickly just behind the cutting edge. Or
out. The honing process when honing, you’ll dub or rollover
should be under 45 seconds in most the edge.
situations-even with a large tool When we talk of honing there
like a roughing gouge. If it takes are usually two ways to understand
longer, then either I have a poor it: hand-honing and power-honing.
honing technique or the edge is When hand-honing, you use a
past the point of being honable. stone, rubberized abrasive or piece
Then it’s back to the grinder. of leather. Among turners, some
Shaping the tool and grinding type of stone is most common.
properly are fundamental and are
more critical than honing. You The proper stone
can’t hone a poorly ground tool First, select a suitable stone. I’ve had
and it’s a complete waste of time to the best luck honing contemporary
hone unless you’ve performed these tool steels with the man-made India
other steps well. slipstone in a medium grit and, of
Assuming you have acquired a course, with diamond (fine and
serviceable shape for the task, grind super fine). Technically the India
the tool to a level where honing will stone is an oilstone, but I tend to
both be possible and beneficial to use them dry and regularly clean
the turning process. Here’s what the build-up of metal particles with
works for me: Aim for slight hollow- WD-40. The India slip is fine for
ground bevels and minimal facets- diameter wheel produces. A smaller- removing burrs from the inside of
especially facets above the concave diameter wheel produces such a gouges and the flat side functions
face of the hollow-ground bevel. deep hollow that it may weaken the to hone the outside bevel of gouges.
edge; a larger diameter produces However, in a short time the flat
Why hollow-ground almost no hollow and is more side becomes concave and does not
bevels work best difficult to hone. work so well for skews and parting
Why a hollow-ground, why not Producing a ground surface tools. It is still okay for gouges, but
a flat or convex bevel? The only with minimal facets is essential. not for the flat tools.
reason I see for the hollow- ground If there are multi-facets that arise For flat tools (and an occasional
bevel is that it provides a built-in above the line from the heel of outside bevel of gouges and ring/
honing guide. As long as there is the bevel to the cutting edge, hook type tools) I prefer a diamond-
a two-point contact surface, I can then you’ll be honing only the coated stone (usually diamond
better feel the honing process (see high points and not refining or applied to a mild steel plate).
illustrations). However, there must improving your edge. Just as in For gouge flutes, the diamond-
AW 18:1, p50

be a balance between too much grinding the edge, I train myself tapered rod or cone works quite
and too little hollow grinding. I not to hone the edge - focus on well. Be careful with diamond-
prefer the concave profile a 6" to 8" the bevel. If you focus on the edge, coated systems, as not all are of

64 • How to Hone Edge Tools www.woodturner.org

the same quality. Cheaper stones last operation, at least with gouges,
often incorporate fewer diamond is that I have another built-in
particles or a type of industrial honing guide: hold the slipstone
diamond that breaks down quickly. or rounded rod flat in the flute,
My caution: You get what you not touching the edge itself, but
pay for. focusing on the two planes that trap
the area we call the edge.
Honing technique There is another approach that
I have seen many variations of can be used in combination with
honing techniques: hand-honing or as a substitute
1. Fixing the honing stone to for it: power-honing. This is most
a flat surface and working the tool often done with a motorized wheel
back and forth along the stone. or a wheel mounted on a lathe
2. Bracing the tool against the arbor. Wheel materials include felt,
tailstock lock and moving the stone stitched cotton, leather, cardboard,
along the edge (tool is stationary). rubberized abrasive, plywood,
3. Placing the butt end of the and MDF. For turning tools, I
handle firmly upright on a bench tend to stay away from the softer
or the lathe stand and moving the surfaces (felt, leather, cloth and
stone along the tool. When honing, support the turning cardboard). With our heavy-weight
I prefer to stand solidly with the tool handle solidly against the tools and too much pressure, a
tool against my body, then, move body. The grip shown keeps the soft wheel runs the risk of rolling
the stone along the tool. tool stationary. over the edge. My first choice is
As for the actual honing also a frugal one: medium density
process, I always begin at the heel two-point contact with the hone fiberboard (MDF) charged with a
of the ground bevel. Next, I start bridging the slight concave region buffing compound that cuts high-
the action of honing with a back between the heel of the bevel and speed steel.
and forth motion from the heel the area just below the cutting edge.
towards the edge. When I feel Remember, you are honing the MDF wheel
the bevel adequately I lower this bevel and not the edge. You can glue up the MDF wheel
honing action towards the cutting If the tool is a gouge or hook/ from discarded cutoff scraps from
edge until I feel that second point ring type of tool, I finish by honing a cabinet shop. I make the wheel
of contact. Always maintain this the inside flute. The nicety of this diameter approximately the size

Honing Strategies
Gouges: Hone the outside bevel. Ring/hook tools: These come two
Then hone the inside flute with a ways, ground bevel inside, and
slipstone, round rod, or cone. ground bevel outside. On both
styles, work the outside surface
Skews: Hone four faces on these with a flat hone. If the ground bevel
tools: the two ground bevels is outside, work the inside of a
(be- gin here), the top edge that hook tool with a narrow slipstone.
will refine the long point, and the Skews have four surfaces to hone:
Choose a round honing rod for
bottom edge that will refine the two ground bevels and two side
ring tools. If the inside is ground, a
short point. edges that define he short and
tapered or round stone in a drill are
long points.
Parting tools: Use a flat hone to favorites, hand-hone the surface
work both ground sides. On thin- with the same stone used for
kerf parting tools, hone the flat grinding.
sides to refine the corners.

www.woodturner.org How to Hone Edge Tools • 65

of the grinding wheels in my shop bevel on the wheel. Do not focus on
so that the hollow ground area is the edge, because you will round it
simpler to feel. Since I grind on over in a nano-second. When I see
an 8-in. wheel grinder, my MDF the blackened mud trail just coming
flat wheels are 7 in. to 7-1/2 in. in under the edge, I stop.
diameter and 1-1/2 in. wide (two Power-honing is a quick process.
3/4-in. pieces glued together). I If-a-little-is-good-more-must-be-
mount the wheel on an arbor and great is the wrong approach.
turn the wheel to a round flat disc. Personally, the only tool I
Here are some suggestions to routinely power-hone is the skew
mount your disc: arbor-mounted chisel, its long edge benefits from
directly onto a 1/4 hp or 1/3 hp 1725 this treatment. Occasionally I
rpm motor; pillow block and shaft, power-hone the outside bevel of
or left on an arbor that mounts gouges when I have a particularly
on the lathe. It’s best to avoid difficult piece of wood. In that case I
mounting the wheel on the lathe either use the slipstone to hone the
you’ll be working on, as it is not inside flute, or I have MDF wheels
practical to remove work from the with turned beads that fit the inside
lathe to hone. flute of the gouges.
Whatever system you choose,
Stop power-honing when you see
set up to hone with the wheel a mud trail at an MDF wheel charged Alan Lacer (AlanLacer.com) is a
turning away from you. Remember, with honing compound. woodturner, teacher, and writer
honing is quick operation. I find living near River Falls, WI.
that high speed is not necessary. I Techniques at the wheel
prefer 600 rpm to 1,000 rpm. The power technique is
Choose a buffing compound straightforward and similar to hand
rated for stainless steel. I’ve had honing. With the wheel moving
great luck with the Dico brand and away from you, charge it with
Zam, a green honing compound. honing compound, place the heel of
Whatever you use, watch for the the bevel towards the top of the
honing compound to turn black as wheel, cutting edge up.
you hone. This indicates that you Gently lower the bevel onto
are removing some metal and not the wheel until you have that same
simply polishing the tool surface. two-point or full contact of the

66 • How to Hone Edge Tools www.woodturner.org

 Scraper Sharpness
Alan Lacer & Jeryl Wright

A
woodturner’s scraper can Scraping vs. cutting
remove wood with the What makes a tool a scraper? It is
brute force of a bulldozer not really the name of the tool, as
or the finesse of a barber’s razor. one can “cut” with a scraper and
This flexibility parallels that of the “scrape” with a cutting tool such as a
furniture- or cabinetmaker’s scraper. skew chisel.
Such craftspeople know that The answer lies in presentation
their scrapers can remove planer angle. Like the cabinetmaker’s
marks and dried glue or leave a finish scraper, the tool is presented to the
on wood superior to sandpaper. In wood with no bevel supporting the
skilled hands, a scraper can even edge, only the wood passing over
level a cured finish. These broad the edge.
abilities are all the result of the way In a cutting action, the edge
in which the scraper is sharpened has some support of the bevel area
and presented. to essentially lever away the wood,
The woodturner’s scraper is a rather than scrape it off. Think of
relative newcomer in our field. Turning the difference between scraping off
scrapers made their widespread the skin of an orange with just the
appearance in general woodturning edge of a knife versus coming in at a
after the introduction of electric low angle to peel away the skin. Or,
motors to power the lathe. Unless a closer to woodturning: Try grabbing
turner worked on a small scale and/ a carving tool or bench chisel and
or in dense hardwoods or ivory, presenting it in such a way as to
it was difficult to remove wood scrape off the wood with just the
with a scraping action on human- edge, versus attacking it at a lower
powered lathes. angle, using the bevel as a fulcrum to
Scrapers have been popular start cutting away the wood. Finally,
in the patternmaking trade and most turners’ scrapers are made from
with students in shop classes. In flat stock with only one side ground • when sacrificing a burr rather
patternmaking, they were often a (unlike a parting tool or skew chisel). than a sharp edge is preferable
favorite for creating specific shapes Specific applications often (working bark, glue, or dirt when
with close tolerances, where clean dictate how scrapers are used. Early rough-shaping a piece);
cuts were not always the object (torn English turning books taught the • when a safer approach than
grain could be filled and sanded). mantra that “wood prefers to be a cutting tool is required (in
In some school settings, scrapers cut rather than scraped.” Although aggressive areas on bowls,
were the only tools, as gouges and generally true, here are situations hollow turning);
skew chisels demanded more skill. where a scraper is extremely useful: • when leveling or blending a
The shop teacher required a higher • when the surface finish does not surface (inside bottom of a bowl
level of woodturning skill to teach matter (facing off the outside or the large face of a plate or
AW 23:4, p46

such tools, and scrapers were often bottom of a bowl for a faceplate platter); or
thought to be a safer alternative. or chuck or roughing the inside • when a fine-finishing tool is
of a lidded box); required (leveling a finish).

www.woodturner.org Scraper Sharpness • 67

Preparing new scrapers All of these burr types have
A new scraper needs a considerable different applications. The burr off
bit of tuning. First, the sharp corners the grinder does not seem to differ
behind the cutting edge require radically with the grit of the wheel,
softening. Some tools come sharp but you can vary the amount of
enough on these edges to cut flesh— pressure applied with the burnisher
and tear up tool rests or drag on the rest. and hone when raising a burr.
A belt sander is the easiest tool with
which to soften these edges. 1 How to raise a burr
Second, the top surface is often To pull a burr with a burnisher or a When using the burnisher or a
an abysmal surface either because of diamond hone, steady the tool and present diamond hone, begin at the grinder
pitted steel or deep milling marks. the burnisher (triangular, oval, or round) at to raise a burr. Remove the grinder
In the worst cases, use a belt sander/ a 3- to 5-degree tilt toward the top of the burr by honing the top of the
tool. Make one steady pass. The amount of
grinder with a flat platen to remove scraper, and then pull a fresh burr
pressure you apply changes the burr from
the marks. To remedy less-severe light to heavy. with either a burnisher or hone.
factory marks, polish the top surface As the burr wears, hone the top
(polish only the first 1" to 2" with a again to remove any evidence of the
600-grit or finer diamond hone, burr, then pull up a fresh burr. You
WD-40, and a little elbow grease). can usually perform this raising,
As for shape, the beauty of a removing, and raising again three to
scraper is that the shape is whatever five times before you must return to
you need or desire. For most the grinder to create a new burr and
applications, a French curve or side repeat the sequence.
radius (only the left side) performs 2
well. For the bevel angle (actually
In “normal” scraping, the tool is held flat on
Two approaches to wood
a relief angle on scrapers), 20 to 40 the tool rest (positioned close to the work) Turners use one of two approaches to
degrees off 90 degrees (most turners with the handle raised slightly in back and contact the scraper and wood. The
would call this a 50- to 70-degree with only the edge contacting the wood. first is what can be called “normal”
angle) works well. scraping mode: The blade is flat on
When you buy scrapers, the the rest, handle in back is slightly
factory grind often has a minimal elevated, rest at a level to allow only
relief angle. We do not want this the edge of the tool with no bevel
bevel to contact the wood—it can to contact the wood (Photo 2). The
inadvertently produce a horrendous turning stock is usually contacted at
dig-in. the centerline or slightly above.
Rather than grinding scrapers In what turners have dubbed
to a negative-rake angle, grind a 3 “shear scraping,” tilt the scraper in
greater relief angle. Most negative- A finishing technique to remove small the direction of the cut to around 45
rake scrapers also arrive with a amounts of wood is often called “shear to 70 degrees, usually cutting higher
grinder-produced top surface—not scraping.” The tool is no longer flat on the (above centerline) on the workpiece
well polished. rest but canted in the direction of the cut at and again with no bevel contacting
around a 45- to 70-degree angle.
the wood (Photo 3).
Develop the edge
The key to preparing the scraper is burnisher (Photo 1) can pull up a The test
developing a feel for burrs. Every burr. A diamond hone (flat, round, or With tools tuned, with different burrs
skilled cabinet- or furnituremaker a slip) will perform the same task. (or even without a burr) and used as
knows that a scraper takes a different Many years ago, some turners described above, the authors wished
burr for removing planer marks than raised burrs on scrapers with an to determine the nature of the burrs
for finishing off figured maple. India slipstone, and it worked. When and the wood finishes produced.
The majority of turners use diamond hones evolved, we found For turning stock, we selected
the burr off the grinder. However, out they raised burrs even easier. kiln-dried yellow poplar (not an
a cabinet- or furnituremaker’s easy choice for scraping methods).

68 • Scraper Sharpness www.woodturner.org

The poplar was approached in a To illustrate the true underlying Shear scraping (Photos 6 and 7)
challenging way: hollowing end grain structure of the poplar, an provides a somewhat better surface
grain. Turning trials used poplar from end-grain face was sanded through than flat scraping, but the effect is
the same long section of 3×3" stock, a series of papers to 1,000 grit (Photo small when compared to the effects
the same lathe speed (around 1,000 5). Note that this image clearly of edge and top-surface preparation.
rpm), and the same size and shape of illustrates the beautiful nature of the The shapes of the burrs are a
high-speed steel (HSS) radius scraper wood with the reddish intersecting function of how they are raised
(1-1/4" wide and 3/8" thick). After fiber elements and the large and the finish of the top surface on
Alan completed the turning trials, he population of sectioned white resin- which they are raised.
shipped the five scrapers and turned filled vessels or pores. The degree to Simply polishing the top of
samples to Jerry. Labels did not hint which this underlying structure is the tools prior to raising a burr by
which wood was prepared with revealed by the tool cutting action is grinding improves the resulting cut
which scraper. assumed to be a measure of relative surface dramatically. This also may
edge sharpness. suggest that a finer grind might also
The wood Based upon the appearance of improve burr quality.
Although it is known that various the cut poplar faces, the sharpest
sharpening methods produce cutting edge was Scraper #5, closely Alan Lacer (AlanLacer.com) is a
different edges, does sharpening followed by Scraper #4. Each of these woodturner, teacher, and writer living
really affect the way in which the tools was polished on the top face near River Falls, WI. Dr. Jerry Wright (jeryl.
tool cuts? prior to raising the burrs. There is a wright@crucible.com) is a woodturner and
The poplar end-grain samples clear improvement between #1 and vice president of technology for Crucible
were examined at up to 100× under #2, indicating that polishing of the Specialty Metals in Syracuse, NY. He earned
the same imaging microscope (see top of the tool improves the quality an Sc.D. in metallurgy from Massachusetts
sidebar). A low-magnification image of the raised burr. Institute of Technology.
of the poplar is shown (Photo 4).
All magnified images were made Observations
with the same grain orientation. In Burrs are tiny! The largest burrs
each sample, an area of cross-grain observed were on the order of 0.001"
turning was selected because it has to 0.002" in height. It is amazing
the highest probability of tearing. how effectively these small edges
can cut.

0.010" 0.010" 0.010"

4 6 7
This poplar sample was turned by shear This poplar sample was turned by shear
0.010" scraping using a tool prepared as Scraper scraping using a tool prepared as Scraper
#4 (burr raised by burnishing). White pores #5 (burr raised with a diamond hone). It
are beginning to be resolved. However, the contains reasonably resolved white pores
wood fibers are more clearly defined than and clear structure definition. The wood
by scraping alone. fibers are somewhat better defined.

www.woodturner.org Scraper Sharpness • 69

 Under the 0.010" 0.010"

microscope
Woodturners know that their fingers
are precise measuring devices. They
use them to size vessels and wall
thicknesses, and measure the progress
made toward a smooth turned or
sanded finish. They also use them to #1 Top View #2 Top View
determine the sharpness or presence
of an edge on turning tools. Our fingers
are excellent for feeling the presence or 0.010" 0.010"
absence of a burr on a scraper. Turners
can’t see such burrs, but they know
they're there!

Much has been written about the many

ways to develop the perfect cutting
edge, but little has been published to
demonstrate what these edges truly
look like. One of the reasons for this #1 Side View #2 Side View
lack of photographic evidence is the
difficulty in producing images with a
combination of high magnification and
0.010" 0.010"
extensive depth of field. Traditionally,
this has been accomplished through
the use of scanning electron
microscopy (SEM). The downside of this
approach is that color images cannot
be produced and only small samples
can be examined.

In the past few years, digital imaging

optical microscopes have become
Turned with #1 Turned with #2
available, which not only allow high
depth of field color photography, but Scraper #1 was prepared by grinding the Scraper #2 was prepared in the same
also allow the computer assimilation of bevel on a 60-grit wheel. The top of the manner as #1, except that prior to
multiple photo “slices” into images with tool was the ground finish as received raising the burr, the top of the tool was
extraordinary depth of field. from the manufacturer. The burr was polished. Note that this polishing appears
produced by the deformation of the tool to have helped create a finer burr with
The tool edges and corresponding edge by the force of the wheel surface. shorter and more frequent stipples.
wood surfaces in this study were The top surface finish appears to have
examined with a 54 megapixel optical increased the coarseness of the edge. The Poplar sample #2 was turned with a tool
imaging microscope. Each edge was burr has a stippled appearance. Note that prepared as #1, except that the top was
photographed at a magnification at this magnification, the burr still does polished prior to grinding. Again, the pores
of 200×. The field of view at this not appear sharp. are nearly obscured and there is some
magnification is approximately 3/64" evidence of wood tearing.
wide. Photos of top views as well as Poplar sample #1 shows a torn surface. It
angled views depict the nature of the was turned with the scraper as received
cutting edge as well as the roles played from the factory (not polished on top,
by the bevel ground surface and the tool sharpened on a 60-grit wheel). The
finish of the tool tops. white pores are nearly obscured and
the reddish fibers are barely visible.
All scrapers were determined to be Fracturing and tearing
type M2 high-speed steel (HSS) and of the wood matrix is apparent.
confirmed the manufacturer’s labeling
as HSS. Scraping was accomplished
using two turning methods—flat
scraping and shear scraping.

70 • Scraper Sharpness www.woodturner.org

 0.010" 0.010" 0.010"

#3 Top View #4 Top View #5 Top View

0.010" 0.010" 0.010"

#3 Side View #4 Side View #5 Side View

0.010" 0.010" 0.010"

Turned with #3 Turned with #4 Turned with #5

Scraper #3 was prepared as scraper #2, Scraper #4 was prepared in the same Scraper #5 was prepared in the same
except that the burr was removed by manner as #3, and then a burr was raised manner as #3, and the burr was then
polishing. There is no evidence of a burr using a burnisher. The burnisher deforms formed using a diamond hone. The burr
and the top view shows the jagged nature the edge. The top view of the tool edge raised is similar to burr #2 and reinforces
of the 60-grit bevel grind. The sharpness indicates that the burnisher raised a the concept that the top finish is important
of the cutting edge is limited by the continuous burr, which is different in in burr formation.
intersection of the two surfaces. character from the grinding wheel-
induced burrs. (The pressure applied Poplar sample #5 was turned with a tool
Poplar sample #3 was turned with a tool during burnishing can control these whose burr was raised with a diamond
with the burr removed by polishing. burrs.) The edge view shows a varying hone. It shows reasonably resolved white
The poplar sample illustrates a smeared degree of stippling which suggests pores, clear structure definition, and no
structure with multiple tears. that this edge is controlled by the top evidence of tearing.
polished surface.

Poplar sample #4, turned with a scraper

with a burr that was raised by burnishing,
contains white pores that are beginning
to be resolved and clear evidence of the
reddish fibers.

www.woodturner.org Scraper Sharpness • 71