Newbie_Neil
Established Member
Hi all
I picked this posting up at another site, now this is really scary: -
"First of all, if you are of a nervous disposition, or are a time served chippy, or you respect your tools far more than your time, stop reading now!
Good, got rid of that lot. I am one of the ones who made their own oilstone box and would while away the hours doing figure of eights etc, etc. Then along came those bloody great rotating wetstone things which for a mere £250 or so, could save a bit of time. Then came those Diamond plate type things which "never wear out". Ha Ha, yes, I fell for that one too.
Right! try this: Get a Cheap as chips belt sander, it doesn't matter how cheap so long as it has a locking on button to keep it running when you release the trigger. Next, take a fairly fine belt and use it to grind your outside wall or the path or something to take most of the newness off the grit. you can even add candle wax as it revolves, don't overdo it though, you do need some abrasion left at the end. Now turn it upside down. If you are squeamish or scare easily, put it in a vice, but its not really necessary. I've been doing this for 5 years, and so far have only lost eight fingers. (joke).
Set the belt running and now look for the sweet spot on the belt. This will be between the front roller and the beginning of the flat plate. Lower the wearing edge gentlyso that contact is made between the whole wearing edge and the 'sweet spot'. You only leave the chisel here applying light pressure and check frequently that it is sharpening evenly. Important. If the metal changes colour to a dark blue or similar, you have just buggerred the temper of the steel. To avoid this, you sharpen for a very short while, then lift off, and lie the chisel end across your palm, you should never leave the chisel on the belt long enough that you burn your hand. Thus you have an automatic temper tester, available all the time.
The great thing about this method, other than the blindingly sharp chisels you are left with in just a few minutes each, is that when next you hit the inevitable nail with your favourite chisel, all is by no means lost, and you will have it cutting across the whole width again in no time.
In fact, the only down side I can see of this method is that it does wear chisels quicker than before. But, they are cheap, my time is not, and every chisel I own, (about 20) is razor sharp nearly all the time.
If you don't hear from me again, it will be because Diamondtron and tormek have put a contract out on me. I am hoping that is a joke."
Cheers
Neil
PS I am in no way advocating using this method.
PPS Perhaps Alf or Mike might like to comment?
I picked this posting up at another site, now this is really scary: -
"First of all, if you are of a nervous disposition, or are a time served chippy, or you respect your tools far more than your time, stop reading now!
Good, got rid of that lot. I am one of the ones who made their own oilstone box and would while away the hours doing figure of eights etc, etc. Then along came those bloody great rotating wetstone things which for a mere £250 or so, could save a bit of time. Then came those Diamond plate type things which "never wear out". Ha Ha, yes, I fell for that one too.
Right! try this: Get a Cheap as chips belt sander, it doesn't matter how cheap so long as it has a locking on button to keep it running when you release the trigger. Next, take a fairly fine belt and use it to grind your outside wall or the path or something to take most of the newness off the grit. you can even add candle wax as it revolves, don't overdo it though, you do need some abrasion left at the end. Now turn it upside down. If you are squeamish or scare easily, put it in a vice, but its not really necessary. I've been doing this for 5 years, and so far have only lost eight fingers. (joke).
Set the belt running and now look for the sweet spot on the belt. This will be between the front roller and the beginning of the flat plate. Lower the wearing edge gentlyso that contact is made between the whole wearing edge and the 'sweet spot'. You only leave the chisel here applying light pressure and check frequently that it is sharpening evenly. Important. If the metal changes colour to a dark blue or similar, you have just buggerred the temper of the steel. To avoid this, you sharpen for a very short while, then lift off, and lie the chisel end across your palm, you should never leave the chisel on the belt long enough that you burn your hand. Thus you have an automatic temper tester, available all the time.
The great thing about this method, other than the blindingly sharp chisels you are left with in just a few minutes each, is that when next you hit the inevitable nail with your favourite chisel, all is by no means lost, and you will have it cutting across the whole width again in no time.
In fact, the only down side I can see of this method is that it does wear chisels quicker than before. But, they are cheap, my time is not, and every chisel I own, (about 20) is razor sharp nearly all the time.
If you don't hear from me again, it will be because Diamondtron and tormek have put a contract out on me. I am hoping that is a joke."
Cheers
Neil
PS I am in no way advocating using this method.
PPS Perhaps Alf or Mike might like to comment?