Best sharpening tools for your woodturning tools

[Penpal]

I choose to use a double ended 8 inch for preference grinder I have the equivalent of the pro edge, water stone horizontal vertical slow, fast etc.My prep time is minimal my way the tool sharpening jigs hang in the drawer as well, a few secs and the grind is done visually for me. There will always be a new system like new tools. Paying nearly the price of a lathe to sharpen tools appears one too many bridges to cross.When you serve an apprenticeship learning the basics takes time when you learn how we make our own way and do the best we can to be efficient. I do enjoy my big automatic truck love my manual one as well. As an average guy no claim in proficiency only long experiences guide me.

Peter.

 

[Phil5th]

Another Vote for the Sorby Pro-Edge, use to struggle to sharpen my tools but since I bought the Pro-Edge, no more problems.

 

[handmadekrafts]

Thank you folks I had never seen the proedge before and I must say I'm am impressed it uses a sandpaper system

 

[wm460]

Tormak 7 for me.

 

[Neil]

Bench grinder free hand, did buy one of those jigs but more hassle than it was worth. Where there is a need someone will devise a device, the complexity of which is directly proportional to the amount of spare cash available.

 

[Phil Dart]

All roads lead to the Sorby Pro-edge in the end. It's only a lack of space that stops me having a second one.

 

[Paul]

Pro edge as a novice it's one less thing to worry about. Thus safer due to even grinds and less catches

 

[PhillH]

Proedge for me also, never looked back since I got mine in November. I sometimes wonder how on earth I managed free hand on a grinder.

 

[Grump]

Then you all should go to sharpening classes before thinking about turning classes.
I have never heard so much claptrap from grown men init?
How the hell do you think people managed to turn out masterpieces without a pretty-edge?
You lot have been brainwashed get real for f***s sake init?

 

[Terry Q]

Bench grinder with CBN wheels and a Tormek. Had a pro edge and hated it.

 

[rayf6604]

Bench grinder with CBN wheels and a Tormek. Had a pro edge and hated it.

You must be the only one who hates his pro edge, I haven't heard a bad word from anyone about them

 

[wm460]

Bench grinder with CBN wheels and a Tormek. Had a pro edge and hated it.

 

[cookie21]

Proedge no hassle to setup great

 

[Bluefoxy]

I first saw the proedge demonstrated at a show in 2010 and bought one on the spot. It enabled me, a rank amateur, to sharpen tools like a professional. Expensive but worth every penny! Basically works straight out of the box

Ray

 

[Barry]

I,m with Brian use your eyes and feel save your self a lot of money

 

[Woody]

I have been sharpening tools on grinders for years with great sucsess but a few years ago I had to have a refit to my workshop so I thought lets give the pro edge a go and to be honest I wouldn't go back to a grinder both methods take about the same amount of time to sharpen a tool but with a pro edge there's no need to true up or clean any grinding disk just flick the leaver and change the belt when its worn out also it is so much easer for a beginner to get a good edge on the pro edge even without all the add ons

 

[Lons]

I don't have my pro edge - yet but will have once Brian has kindly collected it for me, so I haven't used one though I did see a demo a while ago and was suitably impressed.

Brian is right in pointing out that for hundreds of years, craftsmen have successfully hand sharpened their tools and an oilstone was one of the first things I learned to use in my early teens, however I really don't want to spend valuable time sharpening tools (which I hate doing), when I could be producing all the items I want to make on my never ending list of to dos so I'm hoping the pro edge will give me some of that that time back.

I have a grinder which is fine but a PITA and to easy to remove too much steel for my liking, I have waterstones, diamond stones, oilstones etc, great for my bench and carving chisels but not what I'm looking for when turning. I also own a Tormek T7 which I love as it gives an amazing edge but it's soooo slow! When I dig out the Tormek it's usually 1/2 a day full sharpening session.

Waiting with baited breath to see Brians' sharpening creation when it's finished though and I freely admit to being a sucker for gadgets and tools:wink:

 

[Bill Mooney]

Then you all should go to sharpening classes before thinking about turning classes.
I have never heard so much claptrap from grown men init?
How the hell do you think people managed to turn out masterpieces without a pretty-edge?
You lot have been brainwashed get real for f***s sake init?

Brian I've been sharpening tools as a professional for more years than I care to remember. When I first started & before I learnt to sharpen properly I made a lot of balls ups by bad technique & lack of experience. Once I'd learnt, no problem. I now use a pro edge & can sharpen my tools without any problem even with my eye problem. The way I see it a novice beginner can sharpen his tools properly straight away without any balls ups or learning curve like I had. After all it's they who are paying for that privilege. I've not been brainwashed, I'm talking from experience.

 

[GeordieB]

Must admit I have a bench grinder with a cbn wheel and I am more than happy with it I just couldn,t justify paying over £200 for a fancy belt sander

 

[Bigblackdog]

But how much would a reasonable grinder cost with a cbn wheel on each end- probably as much as the proedge, certainly more than £200.

I know that you can sharpen with a cheap grinder with standard wheels on but it is a huge learning curve.