Post by Pete on Feb 11, 2020 15:47:03 GMT
OK I will come clean, I am going on a turning course, which includes the possibility of my tools being seen by the instructor possibly in front of a group.
My usual method of sharpening is quick and often often freehand, with the honest intention of frequently getting the jigs out and making sure I have not drifted by much. I do have the honing wheel and also the polishing mop, but they mostly stay in the drawer.
As I said, my tools are sharp, but are about to be seen by somebody else, so I have had a proper look at them, they were not great! parting tools where the cutting edge is 2mm off centre, function and really doesn't bother me much the tip of a spindle gouge was a bit too pointy, the back of the wing on a bowl gouge showed a bit of blue where I have been careless and my 40° half inch bowl gouge was an odd shape because it is now so short it really does not fit into the jig properly.
Anyway, I have spent the day sharpening and making sure my tools are not going to embarrass me but over morning coffee and toast I decided on a refresher on the use of the pro-edge. I am sure you all watched the video's either before or just after buying, I would encourage you to also watch them again. Little things get forgotten and bad habits creep in.
Good official video Official video
Good non sorby video Mike Waldt video
As shown in Mike's video all of my handles are marked with the angle I need to set the pro-edge to, it can be worked out every time, but once marked it speeds up the process and because I was actually re-profiling and spending more time cutting the metal I also used a small bowl of water to be certain that I didn't leave any embarrassing blue spots on my tools.
Finally I used the polishing mop with honing compound on everything to give all my tools that well cared for look with accurate perfect shapes all round.
That is it really, Pro-Edge is generally not thought about as a fun power tool, it is just functional and a key part of my lathe work, but today I have had a very enjoyable and productive day without turning on the bandsaw or the lathe.
My usual method of sharpening is quick and often often freehand, with the honest intention of frequently getting the jigs out and making sure I have not drifted by much. I do have the honing wheel and also the polishing mop, but they mostly stay in the drawer.
As I said, my tools are sharp, but are about to be seen by somebody else, so I have had a proper look at them, they were not great! parting tools where the cutting edge is 2mm off centre, function and really doesn't bother me much the tip of a spindle gouge was a bit too pointy, the back of the wing on a bowl gouge showed a bit of blue where I have been careless and my 40° half inch bowl gouge was an odd shape because it is now so short it really does not fit into the jig properly.
Anyway, I have spent the day sharpening and making sure my tools are not going to embarrass me but over morning coffee and toast I decided on a refresher on the use of the pro-edge. I am sure you all watched the video's either before or just after buying, I would encourage you to also watch them again. Little things get forgotten and bad habits creep in.
Good official video Official video
Good non sorby video Mike Waldt video
As shown in Mike's video all of my handles are marked with the angle I need to set the pro-edge to, it can be worked out every time, but once marked it speeds up the process and because I was actually re-profiling and spending more time cutting the metal I also used a small bowl of water to be certain that I didn't leave any embarrassing blue spots on my tools.
Finally I used the polishing mop with honing compound on everything to give all my tools that well cared for look with accurate perfect shapes all round.
That is it really, Pro-Edge is generally not thought about as a fun power tool, it is just functional and a key part of my lathe work, but today I have had a very enjoyable and productive day without turning on the bandsaw or the lathe.
. I can't imagine your "everyday tools" being anything but sharp!