Thread: Sharpening Get Together (GTG), March 13th, 2016

Originally Posted by Bushmiller

Crowie

I hated the pix, all 55 of them, as it was a reminder of what a good day I had missed out on.

Not really, it was good to see all those happy faces.

well not quite

I agree that whilst a reminder of a great day missed, it was really good to see all those happy faces.


Psst.
Someone should tell Andy it's time to update his Kiwi safety boots.

Thought I'd share a collage from the day


Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art

When I made my mind up to do the long trip to Fletty's, I then had to physic myself up for the challenge of being part of the city traffic. The trip down prompted me to push a mate to repair the aircon in the Cruiser (he has only been working on it for.....2years). So with the "air-on" the trip was qiute good. Thankfully I have a sister who lives at Katoomba, to stay with. So that worked well to pick up Brett (fence furniture) and Lola to navigate down to Fletty's.
It was great to see some familiar faces as well as meeting some new ones!!!
To be able to see a few sharpening systems actually working gave great insight into the art of sharpening.
I know everybody has thanked Fletty and his wife for the day so I would like to add mine as well.
The trip back up the mountains was made very interesting by 3 semis pushing my 33 year old Cruiser wagon up the hill. It was a little "white knuckle" at times but they soon blew us into the weeds as they shot past.
I returned back home to our little haven here at Moonbi by 7.30 last night after an enjoyable trip.

To sum up....I came away from the SGTG with mixed thoughts as to which way to go with my own regime of sharpening bench chisels. I did a bit of industrial espionage as to jigs for grinders (by taking photos), so I will build on that in the future. Diamond plates and paste have certainly made me think again on my trade taught grinder and oil stone method I have been using for 45 years. The use of jigs is nothing to be ashamed of because you establish a sharpening angle that stays constant as you rub the chisel and will guarantee sucess.
Thanks again to Fletty and all the crew that made the day great

Yes, thanks for a smooth ride Rod!

The only thing wrong with using a honing jig is that there is no such thing as a quick re-hone in the middle of a job, regardless of the medium being used. Heel and toe balance on a hollow grind is where I want to get to.

Originally Posted by chambezio

To sum up....I came away from the SGTG with mixed thoughts as to which way to go with my own regime of sharpening bench chisels. I did a bit of industrial espionage as to jigs for grinders (by taking photos), so I will build on that in the future. Diamond plates and paste have certainly made me think again on my trade taught grinder and oil stone method I have been using for 45 years. The use of jigs is nothing to be ashamed of because you establish a sharpening angle that stays constant as you rub the chisel and will guarantee sucess.
Thanks again to Fletty and all the crew that made the day great

Rod

I sometimes think it is easier for a person approaching sharpening for the first time to adopt a particular technique. Those of us who have used a particular method in the past have more of a problem. The problems are unnecessary expense, messiness and to a large extent mindset.

I would fully expect that you get your chisels very sharp using your old methods, but the oilstone is messy. The day it wears out you could probably consider one of the very good alternatives.

Just on the subject of the diamond plates, I have found that they wear surprisingly quickly. I bought a large one around thirty years ago. The bloke who sold it told me it would never wear out. Well, I still have it, so in a way he was right, but the stone's effectiveness had gone after a year or two. I remember it cost me $120 back then. The problem is that the diamond particles do round over and unlike a water stone, for example, new facets are not continually being uncovered.

Anyhow, glad you enjoyed the GTG. It really does sound as though it was a wonderful meeting of like minded people.

Regards
Paul

Originally Posted by ian

Psst.
Someone should tell Andy it's time to update his Kiwi safety boots.

Oi! I'll have you know they have 100% genuine Aussie leather soles!

Ah, internet access again. I'm on my way to Turnfest on the Gold Coast, so logging in hasn't been easy.
Firstly, a huge thank you to Alan and Helen for the great day, especially to Helen for arranging the removal of all the calories in the health foods so that nothing extra was taken away on the day!

A special thank you to Ian for bringing his grinder with the removal jig plates and demonstrating so many techniques. A most efficient system that may well be cloned in the foreseeable future.

It was interesting to see the different methods of achieving a 'sharp' edge, be it via a belt system, CBN wheel, diamond plates, oil or water stones, slow water wheels, high speed grinders, wet & dry paper, horizontal discs, specialised jigs or just by feel from years of practice. I am very impressed with the CBN wheels, which may have a detrimental effect on my wallet in the coming weeks.

It was pleasing to see that the many packets of Band Aids that were on hand went un-opened, especially following Dave TTC's encounter with Pittwater Pete's clippers. A wonderful job, and a nice hat full of donations going towards a good cause.

It was great to chat with so many forumites on a huge range of subjects, we certainly had a diverse and interesting group of people at this GTG that was so well organised by Alan at his wonderful workshop and house.

Thank you to all who either brought gear to demonstrate or helped in the setting up of Alan's workshop for the GTG, it all worked very well.
Now it is just a matter of experimenting with some techniques learnt on Sunday.

Alan...

Pete's sharpening his chisels in my time. Might have to dock his wages.

Also that worksharp machine is unreal for your standard bench chisels, thanks for the lend Chris.

Brett I rekon I could beat you putting a secondary bevel on a chisel with the worksharp. Perfect every time. half my left arm is shaved from sharpening all my chisels yesterday arvo.

Originally Posted by Dirk_Pittwater

Brett I rekon I could beat you putting a secondary bevel on a chisel with the worksharp. Perfect every time. half my left arm is shaved from sharpening all my chisels yesterday arvo.

At a cost of ~$450 plus the horrendous cost of their consumables.....I should damn well hope so!

Originally Posted by Pittwater Pete

Have clipper, will travel.

Im ready for another shave already but heres a reminder of the day. I hrard someone say something about TAR. Not sure if feathers were ordered with that



Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

At a cost of ~$450 plus the horrendous cost of their consumables.....I should damn well hope so!

Under A$200 in the US on Amazon, but then there is shipping and that's always expensive....

Amazon.com: Buying Choices: Work Sharp WS3000 Wood Tool Sharpener

What a top lot of photos that someone took of Dave doing the Shave for a Cure.... WELL DONE & very honourable Dave for the memory of your brother...Peter

PS - What was the final tally on the money's raised please??

Originally Posted by Dirk_Pittwater

Pete's sharpening his chisels in my time. Might have to dock his wages.

Also that worksharp machine is unreal for your standard bench chisels, thanks for the lend Chris.

And Dirk you never ever do tool maintenance on the bosses time!!!!

What am I saying, Pete is the BOSS!!!!

Originally Posted by crowie

What a top lot of photos that someone took of Dave doing the Shave for a Cure.... WELL DONE & very honourable Dave for the memory of your brother...Peter

PS - What was the final tally on the money's raised please??

On the day an extra $132.20. I have yet to put thay into the fund and have not checked how much in total. Must be close to my goal of $500

Dave TTC
Turning Wood Into Art