If you haven't checked out the scary sharp process for sharpening chisels, and other flat blades, I suggest that you do.  Do a google search on the term "scary sharp."  There are a lot of videos and documents describing the system.  It is not a daunting process but the name implies the sharpness that can be obtained on your tools.

 

One of the things that you will keep hearing is adhearing the sandpaper to a marble slab.  I have found that plate glass works just as well and so does MDF.  In a pinch a countertop with formica also will do the trick.  When I was at a friend's shop, I demonstrated the technique using his table top saw as the base since he didn't have any other item to adhear the sandpaper to.  Acetone will remove most spray adhesives.  If that doesn't work, try mineral spirits or naptha.

 

Get out there and give it a try.  My chisels, palnner and joiner blades have never been so sharp.

Hey Phil,funny you should mention a table saw for this, that is what I use, my first go to. Just seems to easy not to use it. But I changed the method just a bit, I tape the paper down on the edges instead of using spray on adhesive.

But back to your original premise, this is an excellent method for sharpening, and for flattening planes!

The Worksharp is available for 99.00 at sears (I believe).

Throw your stones away!!!

I have a old, OLD Veritas sharpener that will sharpen to 5000 ppi and then with the diamond polish I can get sharper than surgical OR scary!!!!!

And it's alot quicker too!!!

I use the Worksharp also. I have also used scary sharp. I salvaged the glass doors of an old stereo cabinet from a yard sale. The glass was thick and big enough for all my grits. I would throw down a piece of the rubber shelf liner to keep it from sliding around.

Hey Mike, what model "Work Sharp" is it? I haven't been able to find the WS3000 for less then 200 bucks!

Thanks

dragon1 said:

The Worksharp is available for 99.00 at sears (I believe).

Throw your stones away!!!

I have a old, OLD Veritas sharpener that will sharpen to 5000 ppi and then with the diamond polish I can get sharper than surgical OR scary!!!!!

And it's alot quicker too!!!

Just surfed over to Sears, and they have the WS3000 for 179.99, that's a great deal, the WS2000 for 119.99, another great deal. I have been in the market for a work sharp, just never pulled the trigger, anyone know the pro/cons of the 2000 or the 3000?

Last christmas I talked my freind John's wife into buying it for him instead of ( or with) new underwear and a sweater.

She actually asked if it was for me or him LOL.

I have an old veritas sharpening system that they no longer make but is simular to the worksharp.

The cheap one(WS2000) is ok but doesn't have angle guides and other stuff that allows you to sharpen plane blades and other woodworking tools. It basically sharpens chisels at only 1 angle and you could sharpen some knives.

The 3000 allows for bigger chisels, has a better guide for the chisels and is closer to the system I have. I believe you can use veritas sharpening guides on it but You should check out the accessories for it.

As always, you have a learning curve with the machine but any idiot can do it.

And just imagine EVERY plane and chisel, turning tool and knife in your shop SUPER SUPER sharp!!!!

And no more spray adhesive or water on your tablesaw!!!! (Bad boy, bad boy!!)

By the way, be prepared to go slow (and not turn your chisels blue because you are pushing a blade against a moving friction source (sandpaper) and to buy sandpaper from them in all sizes. (get a couple of extra plastic discs too so you don't have to do anything but change to the next finer grits.

I kid you not, once you start with this, you won't stop until you have EVERY tool in your arsenal SUPER SHARP!!!

note: (don't tap your finger on the blade after 400 grit, you will not feel it going in but you'll see the blood!!)

Let me know if you've got any more questions!!

Thanks Mike! Very informative post, your the best.