A while back I bought a Stanley 720 3/4″ chisel on eBay. It needed to be ground and sharpened. My sharpening method is to hollow grind on my Tormek and then hone on Norton waterstones. The initial grinding proved a bit comical with the edge of the chisel being out of square by ~10 degrees. Not deadly, but annoying non the less. Never had this problem with any other tool I’ve ground–chisels or plane blades. Today, I gave it another go, even re-grinidng a new bevel angle, making double sure the chisel was square in the jig. Same deal. Every other tool–chisels, plane blades–come out nice and square. The only thing I can think is causing it is the chisel sides are not parallel to each other. To the eye they appear to be parallel. So, I measured and sure enough, in the middle of the chisel, it’s one 32nd narrower than at the end or butt. So, I assume I need to shim it one 32nd” when I grind it, right? Or just enjoy my ‘free’ skew chisel….Tom
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Replies
sounds right.
Expert since 10 am.
I have had similar problems. I think it is caused by uneven pressure. I found that if I took my time checked it often and used light pressure, I could get it nice and square.
Hope this helps
Bob
Which tormek chisel holder are you using?
Alan - planesaw
Hey Alan
The stock jig that came with the T-7. All my other tools come out square. I'm all but sure now that the 1/32 narrower center of the chisel, where it registers in the jig, is the culprit. Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"
Edited 4/25/2009 10:18 pm by ctsjr82
Tom,
You are probably correct.
However, is the jig you have the SE-76? That is the newest one. Depending on when you bought your Tormek, it may not have come with it.
I had trouble with the older straight edge jig with narrow chisels. But the design of the SE-76 seems to have addressed the problems with the earlier version of the straight edge jig. Clearly, any chisel without parallel front and back could present a problem.
Alan - planesaw
Hi Tom
I have found that - when using jigs such as the Tormek blade holder and the LV Mk2 honing guide, where the blade is secured on both sides - to treat these as a "steering wheel". That is, these jigs offer you the opportunity to drive the bevel as you wish. By checking early, and frequently, you can re-adjust the pressure on the sides the blade. A tweek here-and-there and you will never be disappointed.
Regards from Perth
Derek
Thanks, Derek. Now that I know where the problem is, I should be able to square it up. The funny thing is, this chisel was the second chisel I tried to sharpen. The first was a Pexto that was wider at the tip than the socket--it had a reverse taper to the blade--not terribly pronounced like a dovetail chisel, but you could see it. I managed to get a square edge on it, but couldn't on the 'parallel' 720. A happy accident I suppose. Tom"Notice that at no time do my fingers leave my hand"
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