Hello all:
Has anyone had experience with the newer horizontal-wheel sharpening machines? Japan Woodworker sells a couple, one for about $100 and one for about $600. Lee Valley has their own for about $300 and there is also the Makita. Probably there are others. I am considering designing and making a DIY machine combining features, but I would like to hear from experienced users, if you are out there. I have searched the previous threads for discussions on these to no avail. Has anyone ever tried flattening and/or honing on the flat surface of a Tormek? I am open to help finding old threads or websites you may know of. Thanks!
Don
Replies
Hello,
I bought the Makita many years ago to sharpen planer knives and for that it worked well. It was a bit much for chisels; grinder and stones being easier. My current planer has disposable knives. I don't use the Makita at all.
Steve
Keeping with your horizontal theme, I saw a peculiar machine at a wood show that used sanding discs glued to a interchangeable aluminum discs. The sanding discs were unique to the machine. I don't remember its name and I can't find it on the web. Does anyone have more info in this?
Todd
This is a description of the Lee Valley unit (aluminum discs and adhesive sandpaper). They are at http://www.leevalley.com. Nice looking unit and probably works great. Runs $300 plus accessories. It would sure be nice if FWW or someone would do a test on these. Best wishes on finding the right one for your needs.
Don
I had not seen the Lee Valley unit til now. It looks similar in practice. The one I saw had a larger wheel and the motor was in a white colored housing that placed the disc closer to the bench. The cost was about $600, which I thought was to high. I have never seen Lee Valley at the wood shows here in the Bay Area (CA), which is a shame.Todd
Is this the one you saw?
http://www.woodartistry.com/Products-LapSharp200.htm
That's it! Thanks. I was planning to ask peoples opinion on this, when I got more serious about buying a system. Seems over priced. Any opinions?Thanks,Toddp.s. I am going on travel til Friday, so I will read replies then.
Their website says:
Purchase from our distributor:
View Image The Japan Woodworker
View Image Woodworker's Supply, Inc. View Image Rockler
A buddy of mine manages a Rockler store and loaned one to our school on a trial basis. Favorable reviews from those who've used it, but I don't know if anyone's dropped a dime to buy one yet.
-Jazzdogg-
Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.
There was a thread a month or so ago on the LV sharpener (I just checked but couldn't find it) and several indicated a problem that would be characteristic of all haorizontal sharpeners. That was that since the outside of the plate is spinning faster than the inside that folks were getting an uneven edge on their tools. Can't remember whether this was exactly the complaint but it is close. (Someone may remember this better than I do.) I would keep checking it out; seems someone indicated LV was aware of this and taking some action. Sorry, I am so vague but I just don't rememberthe details. I have a lot of respect for LV and if I were you, I would call them and ask the question to their service rep and you will probably get a straight answer.
The larger the radius of the disk, the smaller the speed difference from one edge of the blade to the other.
I agree that the cut on a differen radius may be different.. BUT.. I have use surface grinders that had a horizontal cup like stone for final polish.. As I remember the final polish was about 1/10000 over about 6 inches checked at any part of the grind.. Yes it was a monster of a machine and a BIG stone but.. Same thing (ALMOST)..
But then again as I remember it was just a 'kiss' of the stone on the metal.. No sparks! LOL..
I would think the horizontal grind is OK if you don't use to much pressure.. Which I would assume (you all know what that means) you wouldn't't be doing anyway!
I mentioned that the difference is theoretical, and probably of negligible practical significance.
HAY.. NO hate here.. Just stated something I remembered from long ago..
I have never used a horizontal machine, I use the Grizzly 2"x10" vertical grinder.This is a water bath type.Also has a 4" white wheel that spins at 3450 rpm,never used this little wheel.The large whel spins at 70 rpm, very slow but excellent for honing.
I use this grinder mostly for lathe tools.Best tool I have found for honing a skew chisel, I use the side of the tone for that.
mike
I use this grinder mostly for lathe tools..
I have a little WEN? Slow speed wet grinder... Had it for years... Gee I love that little sucker but I need a new stone and none to be found!
Hi,Here is the number for the discussion regarding the Veritas MK II sharpening system. 19351.1 TomYou Don't Know.
You Don't Want to Know.
You Aren't Going to Know.
I found some good information at davidreedsmith.com on mods to a Makita I beleive for a lot of jigs to sharpen turning tools. I recently purchased a Sears horizontal and I like it but I only break it out for major work. It's pretty aggresive even with the 1000 grit (I beleive) stone. Most of the time I need to do touch ups and I use an oil stone and strop with 2 different grit compounds that I purchased through Americanhandmade.com. The honing oil and sharpening pastes they sell are great and they also make power strops for belt sanders which would go a long way charged with the right compound.
Since most of my sharpening is for turning tools I do alot of edge touch ups but only when I get careless or hit some really wicked knots do I need to reset an edge completely.
Hope this helps.
Take care and work safe.
I have just returned from a Timber Frame course in Cananda where
we used the Delta Sharping station (Model 23-710) everyday for
1 1/2" chisels and 6 3/4" planer blades and it worked very well.
I'll probably be purchasing one for myself in the near future.
Hope this helps.
Tim
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