Thread: Sandpaper Sharpening Platform

Thanks Graeme, a very intersting read. I noticed that someone mentioned the wasp sander for sharpening, i have 1 of them but never even thought of using it for the job. I've followed the links to the wasp site with a tute on sharpening with the wasp, might be worth giving it a try.
The Veritas honeing guide looks very nice, i was looking at them on the carbi-tec web site yesterday - very tempting. I've re-read the article on waterstones & the more i read the more i think i'd like to go that way, just 'feels' right to me.

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Sandpaper is a good medium to learn on. It is just an expensive and frustrating system after a time.

I can imagine that would be the case very quickly.

I solved my requirement for a flat plate of glass by going to the dump and getting a couple of the glass doors from the inside of old cooking ranges.

It takes a little effort to get all the burnt on fat splatters but they are ground on the edge and tempered (and more particularly - cheep).

Originally Posted by dr4g0nfly

I solved my requirement for a flat plate of glass by going to the dump and getting a couple of the glass doors from the inside of old cooking ranges.

It takes a little effort to get all the burnt on fat splatters but they are ground on the edge and tempered (and more particularly - cheep).

Interesting. How thick is the glass, Dragonfly?

Cheers

Graeme

Graeme,

The glass thickness varies a little, normally 5 or 6 mm thick. The size varies with the oven type, normally around 450mm x 500mm. It does have a couple of holes down one side though from the hinges, but they are grounds smooth as well.

I found a couple of glass doors off a stereo cabnet that was my 18th birthday pressent that i had fogotten about - wow that was alot of years ago. lol

Originally Posted by dr4g0nfly

Graeme,

The glass thickness varies a little, normally 5 or 6 mm thick. The size varies with the oven type, normally around 450mm x 500mm. It does have a couple of holes down one side though from the hinges, but they are grounds smooth as well.

Thanks Dragonfly. Data for future retrieval.

Cheers

Graeme

Keep in mind that glass flexes. Glue a thick MDF or (flat) tile underneath, and do not make the glass too long unless well supported.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Old televisions used to have 3/8" or even 1/2" plate glass in front of the tube. They were good enough for grinding cylinder heads on. The trouble is getting a free one - the Toorak and Prahran yuppies collect those things now.

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Keep in mind that glass flexes. Glue a thick MDF or (flat) tile underneath, and do not make the glass too long unless well supported.

I made a lapping plate for lapping plane soles with an MFD base, you may find the MDF expands in wet weather making for a lovely concave surface

I was furtunate I'd only done about three strokes on a wooden plane before I realised something wasn't right. I wouldn't go this way. Personally I'd get a cheap bag of cement and make a nice little slab instead.

worth noting that thewoodworks sell a 'lapping' glass item $16 - ~40cm x 30cm:
http://www.thewoodworks.com.au/produ...ASS/A1901.html

I didn't know until I received mine that it comes as 2 sheets laminated to get the thickness (mine was 11mm thick, not the 8mm that was specified - the edges were not rounded or bevelled but rough looking)

I did see a marble slab for lapping being sold on one of the Aus online stores for a reasonable price but forgot which one. Haven't had any issues with my glass but I'd probably get the marble next time.

I'd suggest going longer and narrower than that and pref two sheets. Width half an abrasive sheet. Then you can stick a series of diff grits (on both sides with care) and work through them.

I agree with Derek; in the end you want to be woodworking so the quicker the sharpening the more you can do. But as noted, it's a good cheap way to learn and if you get hooked then you bite the bullet and get the stones or diamond plates or both, and then a polishing wheel and then etc etc.