Sharpening tips #1 - small tools, or bits

[rsser]

So you have an aftermarket platform and it's too deep for small turning tools or small bits. Or manipulating a scraper bit is difficult - hard to swing evenly or too hot to handle.

Pic no. 1 is one solution for short-shaft tools. Just clamp an even thickness bit of hardwood to the platform so the tool handle has clearance. Also useful for Oland bits that have been glued into the shaft provided there's enough base and bit length to match and press together.

Pic no. 2 is actually Rodent's tip and I hope you don't mind me posting my version Rodney.

Just an offcut of steel plate, with one or more corners drilled and tapped to take a screw to hold a scraper bit.

This offcut is pretty rough and doesn't rotate smoothly without a bit of lube. Ubeaut Talc works well.

Pic no. 3 is from the Berger website; adapted, would be good for removable Oland tips.

Haven't tried this yet. Thicknessed hardwood might work just as well, or maybe two bits of plastic chopping board glued together, or Acetyl or whatever. Would work for as well for Oland bits glued into a shaft, clamped to the shaft as in the pic. (The bit in the pic btw is Berger's Hollowing Tool: http://www.berger.co.nz/showitem.php?item_id=27 ).

[Cliff Rogers]

I like the 2nd one with the removable tip screwed to a larger plate. :2tsup:

[Ed Reiss]

Ingenious! :2tsup:

[robutacion]

Very clever Mr.!
And who said they've seen an know it all...?:o:wink::D

Just brilliant to add to my "jiggermajigs":C

Thanks rsser, good info...!

Cheers:2tsup:
RBTCO

[hughie]

Ern good tips,thanks


Pic no. 2 is actually Rodent's tip and I hope you don't mind me posting my version Rodney.

Just an offcut of steel plate, with one or more corners drilled and tapped to take a screw to hold a scraper bit.

This offcut is pretty rough and doesn't rotate smoothly without a bit of lube. Ubeaut Talc works well.


For mine, I mount the cutter on the end of a piece of round bar. That is I drill into the end of the bar and tap it out amd mount the cutter on the end so its at right angle to round bar and I use 10-12mm in dia.

Of course with this its freehand. But if you hold the bar vertically its easy to twirl it around on the grinder.



Hmm, it makes sense to me, sori no pics

[NeilS]

:2tsup:..tips Ern.

And, you can also leave the tips in the tool and swinging the grinder..... e.g. use a diamond bit in a rotary tool and freehand grind the tip. Just a more aggressive version of the diamond hone. No need to turn away from the lathe if it's hagging in reach above the lathe. Works equally as well on larger tools. Then use the jiggy things if and when you need to re-establish angles and profiles.

Neil

[rsser]

Good to know that Neil. Had been pondering trying the Carbatec small diamond wheel mounted in a drill - for TCT bits actually. Inc. router bits.

Hughie, your paws must be steadier than mine, which is not saying much :-{

[NeilS]

Had been pondering trying the Carbatec small diamond wheel mounted in a drill - for TCT bits actually. Inc. router bits.


Ern, a good diamond wheel/bit will readily grind carbide (and HSS) but I was suggesting that as another alternative for small turning tips. I'm not sure about using the wheel freehand to grind router bits.... especially if they have dual cutting edges as both cutting wings have to be precision ground to exactly the same width to ensure that both do the cutting. My freehand control is not that precise, but OK for for turning tips and tools.


Neil

[hughie]

Ern, a good diamond wheel/bit will readily grind carbide (and HSS) but I was suggesting that as another alternative for small turning tips. I'm not sure about using the wheel freehand to grind router bits.... especially if they have dual cutting edges as both cutting wings have to be precision ground to exactly the same width to ensure that both do the cutting. My freehand control is not that precise, but OK for for turning tips and tools.


Ern,

Nah its not that difficult, once you've seen it done you would be up and running in a few minutes


The diamond wheel will do it fine on the carbide tips etc, good for touch ups not for any major removal. I grind...touch em up only on the flat of front area of the router bit, otherwise eventually the shape is go.

[NeilS]

...touch em up only on the flat of front area of the router bit, otherwise eventually the shape is go.

Ern - As Hughie recommends, and as you probably already know, only grind the face of carbide inserts of router bit to maintain profile and balance. I was going to add some comments on how I sharpen my router bits, but thought it was a bit off topic/forum focus, but now that Hughie has nudged the discussion in that direction... here goes.

I use a credit card diamond plate seated in a thin profile support (shaped to allow plate to reach fully into the chip clearance gap) which is secured to a bench or vice and then rub the cutting face of the bit against the plate until I can feel a full length cutting edge again. I use a similar approach with forstner bits. So it's back to bringing the tool to the grinder and perhaps not as quick as Hughie's method but it allows me to get a more accurate result than I know I could get freehand with the 'dremel' and diamond bit.

Neil

[rsser]

Thanks guys.