Day Out at Yandles

[Waka]

I'm probably going to get slated here, because I know that the experts on here don't need all the help I do. My limited turning experience has really been shadowed by my lack of really sharp tools, (not this old chestnut again).
Having done a lot of research with reading, watching DVD's and youtube, I came to the conclusion that help was really needed. After emptying my money box I trundled off to Yandles, where I bought wood for my turning projects and a couple of new turning tools, oh and the Chestnut buffing system.
Now to aid with the sharpening I bought this,

Not had a chance to use it yet, Should find time this coming week.

Has anyone else succumbed to buying the pro edge and if so do you think it's a good buy?

 

[paulm]

The pro edge is an excellent bit of kit for sharpening generally Tony and for woodturning gouges in particular, definitely a good buy.

Once you have figured out the grits you use most it's probably worth buying a few from a specialist abrasives firm, around half the cost of the sorby ones !

Cheers, Paul

 

[ianedge]

keep us updated on your first impressions of the Pro Edge, it is what I have my heart set on but going to be a few more months before I can afford one, on the plus side I cant do much turning at the moment as I am expanding my small business single handed which involve planting 35,000 more strawberry plants hopefully before the end of feb 2015 so its all work 7 days a week but the extra income means I can go out and do some serious tool shopping next autumn

 

[Grahamshed]

I was using my Pro Edge only an hour or so ago. It is so easy to use and the edge I got on my spindle gouge was incredible. It is a joy to use.

 

[Waka]

keep us updated on your first impressions of the Pro Edge, it is what I have my heart set on but going to be a few more months before I can afford one, on the plus side I can't do much turning at the moment as I am expanding my small business single handed which involve planting 35,000 more strawberry plants hopefully before the end of feb 2015 so its all work 7 days a week but the extra income means I can go out and do some serious tool shopping next autumn

\

Just been down and had a little session on the Pro Edge. Started with the roughing and spindle gouges, they required taking back to basics and starting again. In total took about 15 minutes to get an edge that i didn't know existed, should have the whole lot completed by week end.

I found that their DVD online is very informative, I've watched it so many times I feel I know the guy personally.

 

[JonF]

Have been using the Pro Edge for about 6 months now and it is an excellent piece of kit. Consistent edges, ultra sharp results, very quick to use. I hadn't realised just how good it was until is sharpened one of my Crown cryogenically treated gouges, stunning sharpness with ease.

I'm starting to sound like an advert so to downsides... fiddly belt centring (had to do it three times so far).... that's it can't think of any more.

 

[woodpig]

Great piece of kit and very easy to use. Only downsides are the cost and belt changing could be easier.

It makes all the jigs available for double ended grinders look a bit silly in comparison but then again they are cheap I suppose.

 

[Waka]

I agree there are a few minor niggly bits, but the quality and the sharpening far outweighs these.As to the belts I've only used the zirconium so far, but Paulm has recommended the ceramic as being the best, so I'll be looking into that shortly.

 

[woodpig]

This is the nice thing about the Sorby, the choice of belts. I use a much modified Record Power belt sander for tool sharpening and although I can order the same range of belts I need to buy ten of each.

 

[KimG]

Slated? No way, there is nothing wrong with using a guide or a jig of some sort for sharpening, sure, some turners can do a fine job by hand, but I would happily wager that they are in the minority, even experienced turners use jigs (Cindy Drozda for one). A Jig can get you a perfect angle and a first class edge with the minimal amount of material removed, over time this will increase the lifespan of your tools, and it is surprising how fast they can disappear over a relatively short time!

I think your investment will prove to be a wise one.