Thread: Tormek Planer Blade Jig Help

Make a jig and use sandpaper.
Planer/Jointer Blades Sharpening - How to Sharpen Planer Knives with Sandpaper - YouTube
I made one similar to that a few years back and it does the jointer and thicknesser blades. I use a 400g diamond stone for moderate nicks and the rest of the time my old india stone. Serious nicks use lower grit.
Offsetting the blades by a couple of mm so the nicks no longer line up will save you some work and some steel.
Regards
John

I have one, but you will need a passport to get it

Originally Posted by orraloon

Make a jig and use sandpaper.
Planer/Jointer Blades Sharpening - How to Sharpen Planer Knives with Sandpaper - YouTube
I made one similar to that a few years back and it does the jointer and thicknesser blades. I use a 400g diamond stone for moderate nicks and the rest of the time my old india stone. Serious nicks use lower grit.
Offsetting the blades by a couple of mm so the nicks no longer line up will save you some work and some steel.
Regards
John

I initially thought I could do that but they are sharpened at 40°. Can't get my table saw to 50°. I'll do it at 45° and put on a secondary bevel if I have to but thought I would try for a jig first. I will offset them but would still like to sharpen them properly.

Originally Posted by Pat

I have one, but you will need a passport to get it

Surely you want to move closer to Western Sydney Pat. If you could move in the next couple of weeks that would be good.

Yes my saw only goes to 45* too but a secondary bevel is working just fine. After the first grind getting them in shape its now just more of a hone as required. Since making the jig I have upgraded to a Dewalt thicknesser that has throw away blades but I can get a sharpen on those too so double the life of them. Something that the wet grinder can't do as it would take off too much metal.
Regards
John

@NCArcher I think someone will come along very soon and lend you the jig.
Just as an alternative, I am offering to sharpen your straight knives for you. I have the long knife jig, the extended support bar and the complete Tormek setup.
If you send the knives to me, I will sharpen them to the angle that you specify and send them back.
I would have lent you the jig but I think posting the knives will be cheaper.

Thanks J1T. Ill give it a little time to see if anyone local has one and then I'll get in touch. I can't remember who I sold mine to.

or go for a drive down the coast.

Mine is sitting in the drawer, set up ready to roll. I use my thicky and jointer a few weeks ago for the first time in a year, so in no mad need of the jig for a duration + I have spare sets of blades for both machines.

Tony, I could pick up the jig from Pat and arrange to get it to you.

That would be excellent if you could Chris. I'll have to do a trip to Camden soon so we can go via there.

What ever works.

Thanks Pat, I'm sorry you don't get to move closer to Western Sydney.

you just need a coarser stone that's hard, like an india stone. I've freehand sharpened a few planer blades a couple of trips before tossing them and had no issues. The only thing you need to do once they're well held is make sure the strokes are even. I'm not sure I ever chased most of the burr off of them.

It's all sorted now. The jig arrived (thanks Pat and Chris) and I spent half an hour or so getting all three blades perfectly flat and shaving sharp. Leaves a beautiful clean surface finish now.
I'll run a bit more timber through them and give them a touch up while I still have the jig then I'll get it back to Pat.
Might have to buy another one. If anyone is looking to sell one let me know.