Replies

1. 
   JohnWW | Apr 24, 2008 05:46pm | #1

   Most of the metal removal is done on the inside of the chisel, sharpening the outside will make the chisel smaller and tapered which will cause problems.

   The inside bevel can be sharpened in a few minutes, without too much trouble, with fine sandpaper wrapped around a small dowel if you want to keep the process simple. Along the same lines you can use small round sharpening stones or round diamond files to accomplish the same thing.

   You can also sharpen the inside with a cone shaped grinding stone chucked in a drill press, I've seen these in some woodworking catalog, but can't find them now, but hardware stores also have them. A Google search for "mortise chisel sharpener" will probably turn one up.

   You can also buy a special set of diamond covered cones from Rockler, their part number 24727, for $23.99, that are mounted on a screwdriver type of handle.

   Once you have sharpened the inside surface to get sharp edges, just lightly hone the outside to eliminate any burrs. I would try the simplest way first, the angles and shape of the edges aren't all that critical, as long as the edges are sharp the chisel will work fine.

   John White