I've recently taken up woodturning and have now done enough to blunt my tools. I managed to sharpen one roughing gouge but at the price of 4 knackered DMT folding stones. Is it best to sharpen on my bench grinder or is a gentler method preferable. Yes I know the Tormek sharpener is beloved in the world of woodwork but I don't want to lash out than kind of money.
Sharpening HSS woodworking tools, advice required
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I just use my belt grinder for sharpening my turning tools, hss or otherwise. That way i can leave it at whatever grit i fancy, hollow or flat ground and with or withiut a burr.
Lots of turners use a bench grinder for sharpening their tools. You don't need an expensive Tormek (though I still covert one 
) if you're only sharpening HSS tools because you won't burn those. You'd have to be careful though if you were looking to sharpen carbon steel turning tools, that's where slower, water cooled wheels come into their own.
) if you're only sharpening HSS tools because you won't burn those. You'd have to be careful though if you were looking to sharpen carbon steel turning tools, that's where slower, water cooled wheels come into their own.
Hand work or power, I think it depends on how blunt you find the edges. Hold the edge up to a really bright light.
If it's sharp, you see nothing. If it's blunt, there's a surface to reflect light.
Be careful to sustain the bevel angles. Those turning tools take a huge load, unlike my carving gouges.
Paint the bevel with black felt marker so that you can watch clearly what is happening.
I've thrashed a few chisels in ceramic tile grout.
I should have bought a bench grinder.
Absolute grunt to do them by hand.
If it's sharp, you see nothing. If it's blunt, there's a surface to reflect light.
Be careful to sustain the bevel angles. Those turning tools take a huge load, unlike my carving gouges.
Paint the bevel with black felt marker so that you can watch clearly what is happening.
I've thrashed a few chisels in ceramic tile grout.
I should have bought a bench grinder.
Absolute grunt to do them by hand.
