Bench Grinder and Axminsters sharpening system combo

[Dovetaildave]

I'm starting a new job and want to buy some sharpening kit, particularly for the woodlathe tools and also for the general sharpening needs of the dept.

Has anyone used either of these offerings from Axminster, even better if you have used them together .

If you have, your comments would be invaluable.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-ho ... ne-grinder £49.96 Inc. VAT
http://www.axminster.co.uk/storme-woodt ... ing-system £96.95 Inc. VAT

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Noggsy]

I can't help with the grinder, but I used the Axi jig for a couple of years. It works fine, but I have now upgraded to the Wolverine system from Oneway, which is around £110 for the bases, platform and gouge jig. For me, it's much better for not that much more money. The main difference is the cam-locking, which doesn't mark the arms of the platform and cup, unlike the Axi one, which is a screw and does. This marks the bar and I found that this sometimes made it hard to adjust, as the bar would slip into the pre-existing marks. Not a huge problem, but it irritated me. The build quality is much better on the Wolverine as well, but the Axi is completely usable.

What has made a huge difference, is buying a CBN wheel. It cuts very coolly (no bluing of edges), keeps its shape and doesn't need dressing ever, which for me, is a big deal, because the dust from grinding wheels irritates my skin. They're not cheap, but for me, well worth it.

http://www.toolpost.co.uk/pages/Grindin ... lverineJig

Whatever you buy, enjoy. I find that jigs make a massive difference in terms of speed and ease of sharpening, meaning that I don't have that mental block about doing it that I've seen amongst new turners in my club.