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Jig Design
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Comparing sharpening systems
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Metallography - the study of metal structure with light microscopes - explains how abrasives affect the crystal structure of steel. We use these finding to compare sharpening systems. Many sharpening systems (combination of abrasives and techniques) can produce a specific edge geometry (side profile). It is the crystal structure of the steel in the edge that matters.
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Abrasives
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Microbevels
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A microbevel is a very fine bevel that begins at the edge. See many micrographs and sketchup models of microbevels the bevels page.
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During use, abrasion between the work and the tool creates very narrow wear bevels near the edge. All of the wear occurs within 0.003 inches of the edge.
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All meaningful contact between a plane iron and the work occurs in the wear bevel area. Any time spent honing a tool farther back from the edge has no effect on how well the tool cuts. Microbevels are designed to produce the best possible bevel right at the edge, front and back.
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Any flattening of the back of the tool not associated with a back micro bevel is a waste of time. Covered completely in the introduction to micro bevels.
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An example of a new blade with a "ready to use back" and how using back bevels flattened the part of the back that comes in contact with the wood. Really flat.
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More drawings of wear bevels and how honing must remove the back wear bevel in the faq.
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The page showing the first sharpening of a "new old stock" lets you see how a corroded blade was brought into perfect sharpened condition during a standard honing cycle.
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There are other places in these pages in which I discuss flat backs. Use the site search above to find them all.
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Microbevels save time and abrasive wear, and still produce a better edge.
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Camber
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Edge Tools
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Grinding
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Honing
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A discussion of the Sketchup models that show blade wear. The models put the wear bevels and the honed micro bevels on one plane iron to show the relative sizes and angles.
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An extension calculator which lets you determine the appropriate extension of the blade from the front of the jig for the grinding/honing angles you want.
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A discussion of honing angles for planes and chisels.
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Honing uses very fine abrasives working right at the tool edge. The Sharpening Station takes you through the building of the various parts of the sharpening station I use, as well as the actual discussing Honing using a shop-made jig.
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The wooden jig slides on glass
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A beginning to end look at sharpening with scans and images of the blade at each step in the sharpening process.
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Special care must be taken with bevel up planes, since wear on the back face of the iron affects performance more than for a bevel down plane.
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Honing (and grinding) curved blades - blades for moulding planes, scrub planes, planes with convex soles - requires special techniques.
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Hardware
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All the bits and pieces you need to make a sharpening station and the jigs.
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Jigs
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The jig holds the tool at a desired angle to the abrasive - when grinding or honing. This page discusses the geometry of the jig, the tool, and microbevels.
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The glass on which the jig rides is a crucial part of the sharpening system.
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I use a number of shop made jigs when sharpening. I have found them to be superior to commercial jigs.
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The standard honing jig and a number of earlier versions. This page also has pictures of jigs built by other people, based on the ideas in these pages.
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A simplified jig that requires only machine screws, one drill and one countersink bit.
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The slanted jig used for grinding, for chisels and for short blades.
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Curved blades, like those found in Scrub planes are hard to grind and hone on flat abrasives. This page looks more closely at the problems and one possible solution.
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An extension calculator which helps you determine the appropriate extension of the blade from the front of the jig for the grinding/honing angles you want.
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The stone vice which lets you use these jigs with any bench stone.
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The chisel jig for use with oddly shaped (very thick) chisels.
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Shop made honing jigs. A growing collection of honing jigs made by visitors to these pages. Some ingenious jigs and very interesting designs. Send me pictures of your jig.
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Steels and Sharpness
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Testing plane blades.
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Under the Hood
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You can just build the sharpening station and use it without getting under the hood. This page outlines the detailed theory behind my sharpening ideas.
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The first thing you have to think a lot more about is the bevel itself.
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Images of a blade as the edge wears during use, and strategies to get it sharp again.
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Some ideas on how fine an abrasive you should use. This page looks at edge durability depending on final abrasive.
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Videos
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?????
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Need more? My Sharpening Pages FAQ has answers to many other questions.
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If you can't find it anywhere or just want to discuss anything, you can reach me here.
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