About Chisel Sharpening?

[rgarcia26]

Long story short I got a new set of chisels: Narex Bevel-Edge Chisels from lee Valley, I am new in this trade ok… I spend my weekend sharpening one old chisel that I got from HD (for practice), using tree pieces of Granite, a simple sharpening jig, and 80,320,400,600, 2000 grid sand paper and a leather belt I got it deadly sharp (Bevel 25 degrees and Micro bevel 30degrees).
Now its time for my Marex to be sharp…. My question is should I be bother by making a micro bevel? Or it will be this fine with a 25 degrees bevel?

[Musiclogic]

It's upto you, but the deeper edge will help you in and out of your ribbon or chips by having the 25 deg working as your material spreader keeping the material pressure low on the edge.

[rgarcia26]

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

It's upto you, but the deeper edge will help you in and out of your ribbon or chips by having the 25 deg working as your material spreader keeping the material pressure low on the edge.

So a 30Deg angle it be more helpful…? Its is easer to keep it sharp too?

[rgarcia26]

Bump

[wilser]

yes, it's helpful and will stay sharp slightly longer.

[Musiclogic]

Yep, as Wil said, it helps keep the edge sharper by haveing the 30 degrees, and the 25 keeping stress on the edge lessened.

[bherman]

Originally Posted by rgarcia26

Bump

R - I am not a luthier but a bass player whose hobby is woodworking. You are definitely on the right track with your sharpening system and microbevels. The main advantage is that when you need to touch up your edge with a microbevel, you have very little material to remove to get back to a sharp edge. With your primary bevel, you have to spend more time to get it sharp. Keep in mind that from time to time you will have to rehone your primary bevel. Also, it is best to keep your microedge sharp at all times - it is more fragile than your primary bevel.

I have found that I often use a hard arkansas stone w/honing oil for the touchup and keep it handy on my bench. It should only take 2-4 strokes to touch up a sharp edge. Alternatively, keep a piece of granite or glass handy with 1000 or 2000 paper and you'll be good to go in less than a minute.

Hope this helps....

[Musiclogic]

nice tip, should be handy to everyone, Thanks.

[rgarcia26]

Originally Posted by bherman

R - I am not a luthier but a bass player whose hobby is woodworking. You are definitely on the right track with your sharpening system and microbevels. The main advantage is that when you need to touch up your edge with a microbevel, you have very little material to remove to get back to a sharp edge. With your primary bevel, you have to spend more time to get it sharp. Keep in mind that from time to time you will have to rehone your primary bevel. Also, it is best to keep your microedge sharp at all times - it is more fragile than your primary bevel.

I have found that I often use a hard arkansas stone w/honing oil for the touchup and keep it handy on my bench. It should only take 2-4 strokes to touch up a sharp edge. Alternatively, keep a piece of granite or glass handy with 1000 or 2000 paper and you'll be good to go in less than a minute.

Hope this helps....

and a leather strop or leather belt could be useful too to keep it sharp between sharpenings

[rgarcia26]

Thank you all that helps.... I will do a micro bevel in all my chisels

[SoLongJake]

I always sharpen a chisel with a belt sander, it takes no time at all.

[rgarcia26]

Something like this would be helpful too
http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/pag...84&cat=1,43072

[Musiclogic]

I have the Veritas roller guide which is AWSOME, and a 3 stone block, just a wonderful combination and economical.(under $100 for both) then an old razor strop to burnish the edge. I sharpen my chisels every 2-4 weeks and my bench planes and spokeshaves about every 2 months. Just my chosen way, and only one of a hundred possibilities.

[rgarcia26]

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

I have the Veritas roller guide which is AWSOME, and a 3 stone block, just a wonderful combination and economical.(under $100 for both) then an old razor strop to burnish the edge. I sharpen my chisels every 2-4 weeks and my bench planes and spokeshaves about every 2 months. Just my chosen way, and only one of a hundred possibilities.

I got a cheapo guide for 12 at woodcraft... its works fine, I am sure the Veritas works better, I may buy one next

[Musiclogic]

Ya know, I have found some cheap angle guides to do a great job, I just bought the veritas a few years ago when they had a sale on the package with the 3 stone and honing oil for $69.99 never regretted the purchase.

[bherman]

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

Ya know, I have found some cheap angle guides to do a great job, I just bought the veritas a few years ago when they had a sale on the package with the 3 stone and honing oil for $69.99 never regretted the purchase.

Yeah, Lee Valley (veritas) is a great company for this kind of stuff. I have their honing guide that will automatically adjust for a microbevel - costs a bit more but is a great guide that I use all the time...

[Bassamatic]

There was a great article about this in Stew-Mac's "Trade Secrets" Column

http://www.stewmac.com/tsarchive/ts0108.html

In FACT all the articles are very interesting and informative - It is a good idea to read them all, and to sign up and have them sent every week or so.

[Musiclogic]

Originally Posted by Gio S

There was a great article about this in Stew-Mac's "Trade Secrets" Column

http://www.stewmac.com/tsarchive/ts0108.html

In FACT all the articles are very interesting and informative - It is a good idea to read them all, and to sign up and have them sent every week or so.

Very true Gio, I have been getting them since they started sending them out in the catalogs. Mike Lindskolds wiring 101 was great, I have the tips copied and give them as packets to my apprentices when I take new ones on. I hate Stew Mac's prices, but love everything else about them.

[bobschit]

I took a chisel sharpening class at the North Bennet Street School in Boston. They taught us to hollow grind the bevel to 27.5 degrees (half way between 25 and 30). I've also switched from natural oil stones to Norton water stones. Water stones make a world of difference.