Thread: Veritas Mk 2 blade skewing problem

Short answer, I concur with your findings!

Long answer, I have just come in from putting an initial coarse angle on a Rapier 400 plane blade I bought last Sunday. This has taken 45 minutes and I'll finish it tomorrow.

After carefully checking that the blade was in at a 90º angle to the unit, I started and did a few strokes. I then checked the blade for movement by using a square. To do this I turn the unit upside down and run the square on the jig and slide it to ascertain the blade is still 90º, it wasn't, it had moved a poofteenth.

Careful re-setting was done, I then ensured I tightened the screws down equally, and evenly, side by side, bit by bit, it hasn't moved since.

I find with 6mm chisels the jig has some difficulty in keeping the chisel at a constant 90º angle, careful and constant checking is warranted with something that small.

Mick.

mmm - I wonder if the 'jaws' of the jig were lined with leather or plastic they would be more 'grippy' and stop the slippage?

I've found similar issues - rechecking all the time to make sure it hasn't moved... Taking a fair bit of care to make sure both sides are screwed down evenly certainly seems to help a fair bit. I do agree that there should be something on the face of the guides to grip it a little more. maybe even some sort of guide that slides within the jaws and holds the edge of the blade square at each side and is clamped down with the chisel... something like bookends??? I dunno, just thinking out loud.

Otherise a fantastic jig...

Cheers,
Dave

I've not had too many problems with things moving after clamping in my Veritas Mk II, but couldn't help noticing that my Veritas Bench Grinder Jig DOES have some kind of plastic film (mylar?) on the clamping faces....

Since the latter is an older Veritas product, I'm guessing they decided that such a grippy surface wasn't required on the Mk II.

Originally Posted by Mr Brush

I've not had too many problems with things moving after clamping in my Veritas Mk II, but couldn't help noticing that my Veritas Bench Grinder Jig DOES have some kind of plastic film (mylar?) on the clamping faces....

Since the latter is an older Veritas product, I'm guessing they decided that such a grippy surface wasn't required on the Mk II.

It may be that I was just pushing too hard to try and remove too much material.

I've since found that better quality sandpaper makes a difference, it rips the metal away much quicker.

Plus I have since indulged in a wetstone grinder, so from now on the Mk 2 will be solely for final finishing of the edge, which is probably the job its designed for.

Gents,

I have had the same problem, particularly when sharpening narrower chisels (ie:less than about 3/4"). I helped the situation by glueing some lino scraps to the jaws, to give a soft, grippy surface.

Today I was sharpening plane blades with the jig and it was in its element - the 2" plus irons stayed square and in place. Probably what the designers had in mind as a use for the jig. A piece of industrial artwork, as are the old Aussie planes I was working on.

Hello, I too had the same problem with this otherwise excellent jig. I used a small peice of double-sided tape to stick a small piece of sandpaper to the movable jaw of the jig. This seems to have cured the problem without requiring a great deal of clamping force.

I've cured the problem in the best possible way - by throwing more money at it. I bought a wetstone grinder and a bench grinder and now the Jig only gets used for adding the final bevel.

It works perfectly for that.