10 Essential Tricks Hone your sharpening skills...and your .

By Andy Rae

Sharpening straight-edged undue force or stress. In short, a of my sharpening, most of the tools, such as and sharp is a good tool. Anything tips shown here can be used , is a necessary and regular less, and it’s time to sharpen. with other sharpening tools, part of ownership. A dull tool is To keep your sharpening such as oilstones, stones, a dangerous tool. A sharp tool regimen accurate, effective stones, or even–if cuts better and is safer because and fast (so you can get back you’re so inclined–. you have more control, and the to working ) I’ve outlined Implementing these strategies results speak for themselves: You ten tactics for better edges. into your regular sharpening These sharpening methods regimen is bound to boost your free of scratches, crisp lines that are organized into three core sharpening skills so you can hitget theclean, mark flat without surfaces chipping that are categories: grinding, honing get back in the game in short or blowing out, and the joy of and polishing. While I use order, with edges super sharp pushing or pulling a tool without waterstones for the lion’s share for the most demanding tasks.

Photos: Andy Rae Dec/Jan 2014 woodcraftmagazine.com 31 Grinding Tips

Set up your grinder 1 for success Shaping new tools, altering angles, or simply removing nicks in an edge are all part of a ’s job. But not all grinders are created equal. Spinning at 1,750 rpm, a slow-speed grinder generates less heat than a conventional 3,450- rpm grinder, making it less likely to burn, or ‘blue,’ your tools. Listed by the diameter of their wheels, you can Use a dressing sti ck to clean choose from 6" or 8" models. and shape the wheel, making Larger wheels grind more a slight belly in the middle by steel in less time, but will heat a gentle arc, cutti ng back 1 edges more readily; smaller the sides about ⁄64" (inset). models typically cost less. For optimum control, position the grinder high, so A hollow-ground edge is easier to hone that the center of its wheels sits at about the height of your bent elbows (typically 44" to or plane contacts two points lets you lock elbows and use for more stability. your48" from upper the body floor and ). This forearms setup for smoother tool movement side to side. Of course, a sturdy tool rest is essential. Look Hollow left by for a large table that’s easy to Honing stone (exaggerated and one that locks securely. for clarity) Afine-tune tool rest for that's height notched and angle, to surround the wheel is a handy feature for light side grinding. For most tools, a sweep a wide tool completely 120-grit wheel is the best choice. dresser that cuts very fast and off to the side of the wheel as letsthem. you The remove first is deep a diamond grooves bond. These break down easily and imbedded metal particles. I With the right grinder setup, inLook use for to wheelsexpose withfresh a particles, vitrified follow this with a you’llyou would automatically with a flat grind wheel. a reducing heat build-up and dressing stick to smooth the slight concavity into the lessening the chance of bluing. of your chisels and plane irons. Because wheels wear and collect a slight belly. The belly prevents This “hollow-grind” (which metal debris, you’ll need to dress over-grindingsurface and refine and providesthe shape more into matches your wheel diameter) the working surface periodically. control, especially with narrow I use two dressers to keep tools. And since you’re tool much easier to hone by hand, my wheels clean and to shape in the center, you don't have to ashas I’ll the describe benefit onof makingpage 35. the

32 woodcraftmagazine.com Dec/Jan 2015 Reshape an edge Color the bevel 2 to 3 to the grind A square edge is the goal when A consistently ground bevel is grinding most edge tools. The key to a well-sharpened tool. tricky part is But it can be tricky to reliably an accurate reference line to assess your progress during work to when grinding, since grinding. A dark felt marker steel resists pen and pencil. can take the guesswork out of the job, letting you gauge your ’ progress as you grind. Mark the bluingThe fix, onis tothe spray back a of coat the ofchisel fast- entire face of the bevel, and grind orsetting iron uplayout to the fluid, cutting or edge. until all the color is removed. Use a small square and a sharp Once you get the knack for grinding a smooth, consistent etch through the thin, uniform bevel, take a close look at your colorawl or close other to fine-pointed the edge, exposing tool to a precise line that’s square across Color the bevel, and then a photographer’s loupe will the face of the back. You can grind it by keeping the tool helpwork. you A pocket see the magnifier very cutting or grind to the line, or simply use it moving sideways. You’re done edge, and whether it's even and as a mark for eyeballing straight when all the color is gone. without large chips, or whether and square. The thin you need to go back to the wheel. comes right off with a swipe of denatured alcohol, or with two or three passes over your stone. Put the heat 4 in the sink

Upcycle a heat-sink from an old computer and press the back of the tool on it to dissipate heat. Double-faced tape holds the sink to a piece of , letting you cool your tool where you grind.

Spray the back of the tool with Quenching a hot in water a hot blade without stressing the layout fluid, let it dry, and then is a recipe for disaster. Too hot, steel by holding it on a computer scribe a clean line square to the and the plunge can create tiny heat-sink for a few moments. sides and near the cutting edge. fractures in the steel, weakening They're typically free from any the edge. Instead, you can cool off neighborhood computer whiz kid.

Illustrations: Frank Rohrbach III Dec/Jan 2015 woodcraftmagazine.com 33 Honing Tips

Prep and hold 1 your stones For good control, set up your honing station relatively low, or about 30-36" from the

I use a series of waterstones forfloor honing to the and top polishing.of the stone. For rough work, where the edge is badly deteriorated, start with an 800-grit stone. But for most sharpening, begin with a 1,200- Etch grit in grit stone for honing, and then end of stone. move directly to a 6,000- or 8,000-grit stone for polishing. A shop-made tray holds coarse and fi ne stones for honing. Mark the grit on your Stones are wedged securely between tapered sti cks (inset). stones by labeling their ends (not their sides) with a hard, pointed object such as a Honing tray carbide-tipped pen. If you use Plywood tray #4 brass screw, an awl instead, be prepared 1 3 ⁄2 × 10 × 16" ⁄4" long to resharpen it afterward. To prevent chipping, slightly all the sharp edges on both new and worn stones by rubbing them with a 150-grit stone. (See page 35.) Pay particularsanding block attention or a flattening to the ends, where chipping is most likely, making the wider here. A simple plywood tray will 5 ⁄16" tapered sti ck, hold stones securely, and can 9 3 ⁄16" × 3 ⁄8" long be conveniently dogged to your 1 ⁄4" edging, benchtop. Keep a spray bottle 3 ⁄4" wide; miter corners of water on hand to wet the and glue and to tray. stones as you work. When honing 1 1 1 either the back or the bevel, I ⁄16" ⁄16" ⁄2" resist conventional wisdom by positioning the tool sideways on the stone, and then moving Positi on stone on Eq. tray, then place sti cks Stone parallel with tray and touching wider that this approach provides porti on of sti cks. moreit forward control and and backward. allows I find Secure with screws. greater tactile feedback while allowing me to maintain the 9 ⁄16" tool at a consistent angle. Taper exaggerated for clarity.

34 woodcraftmagazine.com Dec/Jan 2015 Keep your Hone the back 2 stones flat 3 flat–fast

The backs of new chisels and plane irons need

sharpening sometimes requiresflattening, a similarand regular amount of work. To Use plenty of speed up what is often a A rubbing block, sawn to fit your 3 water and push laborious process, make a 1 4" hand, speeds up flattening backs. 1 1 the flattening × 4" × 7 2" hardwood block and⁄ a series of ⁄16"-deep 1 stone as you ⁄ grooves spaced every ⁄8" across would a plane, leading edge as you push both the bottom and wet the bottom with even pressure toolfirmly and press block it over1"-2" the over stone. the Rub for increased grip (inset). front and back. Deep grooves until the back has an even luster. trap waste and speed up the flattening process (inset). Hand-hone 4 the bevel Flat stones make for precise sharpening, so it’s important A consistent angle is paramount to true your waterstones on a when honing the bevel. And regular basis. You can use any thanks to the hollow-ground bevel left by the grinding wheel, honing by hand is well within the skill set andstone diamond to flatten stones another, are muchbut of the novice. Place the bevel on faster-cutting.commercial flattening A coarse stones (220- the stone, and rock it slightly until grit equivilent) diamond stone stone and leaves a slightly theyou backfeel it (depending firmly seated. on how Grip wide the On a wide iron, position two smoothercuts faster surface, than a flattening but it typically ittool is) withand, onesimilar to three to grinding, fingers lockon or three fingers close to the costs three times as much. your elbows and move the tool cutting edge, and push down Using plenty of water, rub with your upper body, not your hard. Rub the blade slightly arms. Your other hand simply past the stone’s ends to forth on your honing stone, supports the weight and helps prevent dishing the stone. pushingthe flattening straight stone ahead back and and move the tool back and forth. occasionally skewing it at an Once you feel a full- angle. Once or twice, turn the honing stone 180° and repeat. length burr, flip the tool over and hone the back. For a longer- with no dark or light spots. lasting, tougher edge, consolidate and refine the already sharp It’s flat when it’s an even color, edge by flipping the tool repeatedly, decreasing the pressure each time until you finish with aDec/Jan light touch 2015 onwoodcraftmagazine.com each side. 35 Polishing Tips

Look in Dub the 1 the mirror 2 corners When you need to plane a wide surface, rounding over the corners of your plane irons will reduce track marks on your work. The approach is simple, but care should be taken not to your stone. Using a 6,000 or 8,000 stone, hold the iron at roughly 45° to the You can prevent plane track marks surface and drag the tool back on your work by rounding over, or Look for a mirror polish on dubbing, the corners of your plane the bevel and the back for the almost lift the blade as you pull, iron, cocking the blade at an angle toughest, longest-lasting edge. thentowards make you. two On or the three first more pass, and taking three or four light passes with just the weight of passes over your finishing stone. the blade on the stone. n Under a microscope, metal that’s polished to a mirror-shine still reveals scratches similar to those found on a surface with a dull, or About Our Designer/Builder Andy Rae is an award-winning furniture maker whose career spans several decades. He has authored a number of books amatte, polished finish. surface Although is tougher both are on woodworking, including The Complete Illustrated Guide to andsufficiently more durable sharp tobecause cut wood, the Furniture and Cabinet Construction (Taunton Press). He currently edge has shallower scratches. makes his home in the mountains of Western North Carolina. As you did with the 1,200-grit stone, use a 6,000 or 8,000 stone and hone the back and the bevel, Convenience-PLUS BUYING GUIDE 1. Rikon 8" Slow Speed Grinder #158512 $139.99 the burr , while decreasing flipping back and forth to remove 2. Aluminum Oxide 8" × 1" Grinding Wheel, #01W47 $36.99 White, 120 Grit polishing a freshly-ground 3. Veritas Grinder Tool Rest #153365 $57.99 bevel,pressure it takes with onlyeach seconds flip. If you’re to create a tiny, polished strip of 4. Diamond Dressing Tool, 120 grit #158523 $17.99 metal at both the toe and heel 5. Dressing Stick #11N51 $17.50 of the bevel. The back, however, 6. P704 Pocket Magnifier 4x #154620 $7.99 takes more work, and it’s often 7. King Brand Deluxe Waterstone, 800 Grit #11H31 $30.50 prudent to get out your rubbing block again to initiate a shine. As 8. King Deluxe Waterstone, 1200 Grit #11H11 $31.50 before, you only need to focus 9. King Ice Bear Waterstone, 8000 Grit #149291 $73.99 on the endmost 1"-2" of the 10. Norton Flattening Stone #833914 $34.99 blade when polishing the back. 11. DMT Duosharp 8" Diamond Stone, #140966 $102.99 Finish by hand, again with light Coarse/Extra Coarse pressure. It’s a good exercise Above items are available at Woodcraft stores, woodcraft.com or by calling (800) 225-1153. Prices subject to change without notice. to inspect the surface under 12. Layout Fluid, Spray $11.96 Above item available at McMaster-Carr, www.mcmaster.com. magnification. The goal is to rub until36 woodcraftmagazine.comyou can see your reflection. Dec/Jan 2015