Why Is Sharpening So Hard?
When I discovered that there are only 6 categories of High Speed Steel Turning Tools (excluding specialty hollowing tools) my turning life got much easier. Those categories are: Scrapers, Skews, Spindle Roughing Gouges, Parting Tools, Bowl Gouges and Spindle Gouges. Four type of lathe tools are dead simple easy to sharpen while two can be very puzzling.
Easy to sharpen include: Scrapers, parting tools, spindle roughing gouges and skews.
Not so easy to sharpen: Bowl and spindle gouges.
Why? The easy category involves a simple grind using the platform set to the correct angle; touch the tool to the wheel with an easy sweeping motion while keeping the tool flat against the platform. There is only one variable; the platform angle relative to the grinding wheel.
The bowl gouge and spindle gouge can both require a compound motion and a special holding fixture. They require moving the tool in an arc while rotating the handle at the same time and is best accomplished in one smooth motion. While the spindle gouge is somewhat easier than most bowl gouge grinds, we usually choose to hold spindle gouges in the gouge holding fixture (most folks recognize this as the OneWay Varigrind 1 or 2).
The complexity comes from the fact that there are three variables with many, many choices 1) Desired Nose Angle on the gouge (45, 50, 55, 60 degrees, or more), 2) Distance of the pocket arm from the grinding wheel, 3) The projection or stick-out of the tool from the front of the tool holding fixture (usually either 1-3/4” or 2”). With each variable having a vast number of values there are thousands of possible combinations with only a very few combinations of settings producing the desired results.
Once the desired combination is discovered, repeating it for subsequent sharpenings becomes a matter of attention to detail. Folks use shop-made gauge blocks, scratch marks on the sharpening jigs, marks on the gouge holding fixture and all manner of other inventions in the hope that they can achieve repeatability. There are even commercial setting aids to help. In fact, I’ve developed a very affordable line designed to be easy and fast to use, repeatable, durable and easy to understand.
The number one question I got from turners when I was on the Woodworking Show Circuit was how to set up their lathe tool sharpening jigs for repeatability of the most common gouge grinds in use today. I even produced a video series dedicated to HSS lathe tool sharpening. You can download a free PDF guide explaining the six categories of tools mentioned above. Here is the link: Sharpening Guide. You have to be registered (free) to download the chart.
Sharpening is one of the “Four Pillars” of turning wood – 1) The Lathe, 2) Work Holding methods, 3) Lathe Chisels, 4) Sharpening HSS tools. Sharpening is a specific skill set and takes both understanding and practice to learn effectively. We devote much time and practice learning to roll beads, scoop out coves, turn bowls and hollowing out hollow forms. We must also devote a sufficient amount of time, energy and money toward the skill of properly sharpening our lathe tools. As my friend Kirk DeHeer always says, stay sharp! Because wherever you go, there you are.
Here is my inspiration for this week’s message:
1 Samuel 13:20 MSG That meant that the Israelites had to go down among the Philistines to keep their farm tools - plowshares and mattocks, axes and sickles - sharp and in good repair.
Ezekiel 21:9 MSG "Son of man, prophesy. Tell them, 'The Master says: "'A sword! A sword! razor-sharp and polished,
2 Corinthians 13:11 MSG And that's about it, friends. Be cheerful. Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up. Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure.
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