I learned something about sharpening today

[woodfarmer]

After my long battle turning a greenheart bowl I decided to have a go at something simple. So took a little ash blank out of the pile. My favourite gouge my 1/2" Crown wouldn't cut it ! So I gave it a little wipe in the grinder but still no go. Odd, so investigated. The grinding wheel surface was near polished. very smooth with no gritty feel to it. Usually I use the side of a devilstone across its flat front faces to ensure the stone is flat and true ( I grind on the front face). This has worked since I got it. So to roughen it up I used the end of the devilstone against just one side. Then when I felt the stone it felt gritty again. So another wipe of the gouge and all is well . cutting as it should.

But I still don't know how using the stone on its side just this one time should have left the grinding wheel smooth ? never done it before (or since----yet).

Yesterday spent half an hour re cutting the threads by hand in the bowl base as the oak has shrunk a little on the sides making the threads tight to turn.

 

[chipmunk]

I can recommend one of these dressers....

http://www.axminster.co.uk/diamond-dressing-block

The advantage is the grinding wheel's always flat afterwards but use dust extraction with it.
HTH
Jon

 

[woodfarmer]

I can recommend one of these dressers....

http://www.axminster.co.uk/diamond-dressing-block

The advantage is the grinding wheel's always flat afterwards but use dust extraction with it.
HTH
Jon

Thanks , may well get one next time I am in Axy

 

[blackrodd]

If you get stuck again, I think you'll find the carborundum stick, used for sharpening hooks and scythes etc is the same grit as the wheel cleaning "stick" that is still sold by APT and others for around a fiver.
Regards Rodders