Well it sounds like it may need to if you put it where it is touching in the middle and not touching on the top or the bottom. It will shape it to fit the contour of the wheel.

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John Moody
John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

Excellent tip about the magic marker, John!

John Moody said:

Charles, one thing I did when I first started sharping my chisels to make sure I kept the angle the same was I took a permanent marker and colored in the entire bevel. I put the tool in the jig, and the bevel against the wheel and adjusted the jig until the bevel looked to be touching the wheel from top to bottom. I would then jog the switch to get the wheel to turn and touch the bevel against it. It would remove the black marker and I could see if I was consistent from top to bottom of the bevel. If it wasn't then I moved in or out to the it correct and repeated the above process. Once I had the entire bevel against the wheel I would then turn on the grinder and sharpen the chisel keeping it moving and not pressing against the wheel. You don't want to leave it in one spot and get the tool hot and discolor the metal. Since you don't have the jig you can do pretty much the same thing using the rest that is in front of the wheel. Lay the chisel on the rest with the bevel against the wheel and adjust the tilt until the entire bevel is against the wheel. Use the permanent marker, it really helps to see what you are doing. Also run the grinder on the slowest speed which is probably around 1750 rpms.

I hope that helps.

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John Moody
John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

Charles,

I found it very difficult to get the correct angle on my turning tools using the stock tables on the bench grinder. Here are some links to sites that have "home made" jigs to improve the results-

http://www.am-wood.com/june98/chiseljig.html

http://www.turningtools.co.uk/widgets/grindingjig/grindjig.html

http://www.laymar-crafts.co.uk/tip23.htm

Lewis Kauffman said:

Excellent tip about the magic marker, John!

John Moody said:

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Lew-
Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

Charles, the stock tables are hard to get the correct angle, but I though maybe since you didn't have a jig they would help to hold the chisel at the correct angle.

Here is how I sharpen mine.

1. I use a marker to color in the bevel.

I know it is hard to see that is black.

Then I set it on the wheel and get it where it touches top to bottom with the light behind it.

Then just jog the switch to get the wheel to turn and touch the chisel to the wheel just enough to see if the cut is even top to bottom.

If the place is even top to bottom you are good to go.

Move the chisel back and forth until all the marker is gone and you are ready to turn.

Sorry these pictures are not very sharp. I was using a different camera and not very good light. But hopefully it gives you the idea.

The jig will make all the difference in the world when you get it on there.

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John Moody
John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com