Love seeing other people’s setups. I just upgraded to shapton kuromako stones (which are just fantastic) and need a better setup for them in my small shop. I do love your sharpening box!
That’s a great set up Dave! Thanks for the mention, I appreciate it. Your Japanese sharpening box should be a magazine article. It looks so good and is clearly highly functional. What’s the timber you made it from? My guess is Aussie Blackwood. 😬
Thanks Vic, The box is actually made from Merbau. A rainforest timber from northern Australia or South East Asia. Its a popular decking timber in Australia. I used it due to its high natural oil content and resistance to water. Plus it looks great when sanded back. It is has a very fibrous grain structure and is bloody hard to work with hand tools! So I wouldn't recommend it as a furniture timber, but it works out well for this project. My normal go-to dark Aust. hardwood for furniture, boxes etc... is Jarrah.
I went the diamond plate route. I like the lack of mess and hassle that comes from not having to soak the stones.
Like you I have a three stone arrangement. Mine being 350, 500, and 1200 grit diamond stones.
I love your trolley. I have an old bench that has my stones to the left and my grinding wheels to the right (one set up with two CBN wheels and one with two mops). A rotable trolley station would be a much better use of the space.
I sharpen my hand both chisels and plane blades. I like sharpening little and often. I use guides when I need to reset back to square.
The other essential sharpening tool is a strop. Mine main one being a paddle with leather on both sides. One with green lapping paste and the other jeweler's rouge
Thanks Rob, I also use a strop. I made mine from a piece of scrap leather from a shoe repair store glued onto a block of wood. I only use the green cutting compound.
I often just strop my chisels between sharpening when they start feeling less keen. ( Just to straighten the edge so I can keep working)
The rouge just gets the edge to a mirror finish. I am sure it is unnecessary, but there is a certain satisfaction to it. 10-20 strokes on the green compound, then flip it over for a few strokes on the rouge side.
I did not realise there was so much involved with sharpening but now it all makes sense. Those sharpening stations are not too shabby, Dave! Very good.
Love seeing other people’s setups. I just upgraded to shapton kuromako stones (which are just fantastic) and need a better setup for them in my small shop. I do love your sharpening box!
Thanks Isaac 🙏
That’s a great set up Dave! Thanks for the mention, I appreciate it. Your Japanese sharpening box should be a magazine article. It looks so good and is clearly highly functional. What’s the timber you made it from? My guess is Aussie Blackwood. 😬
Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks Vic, The box is actually made from Merbau. A rainforest timber from northern Australia or South East Asia. Its a popular decking timber in Australia. I used it due to its high natural oil content and resistance to water. Plus it looks great when sanded back. It is has a very fibrous grain structure and is bloody hard to work with hand tools! So I wouldn't recommend it as a furniture timber, but it works out well for this project. My normal go-to dark Aust. hardwood for furniture, boxes etc... is Jarrah.
Well I was way out! Jarrah is lovely.
That's a nice setup.
I went the diamond plate route. I like the lack of mess and hassle that comes from not having to soak the stones.
Like you I have a three stone arrangement. Mine being 350, 500, and 1200 grit diamond stones.
I love your trolley. I have an old bench that has my stones to the left and my grinding wheels to the right (one set up with two CBN wheels and one with two mops). A rotable trolley station would be a much better use of the space.
I sharpen my hand both chisels and plane blades. I like sharpening little and often. I use guides when I need to reset back to square.
The other essential sharpening tool is a strop. Mine main one being a paddle with leather on both sides. One with green lapping paste and the other jeweler's rouge
Thanks Rob, I also use a strop. I made mine from a piece of scrap leather from a shoe repair store glued onto a block of wood. I only use the green cutting compound.
I often just strop my chisels between sharpening when they start feeling less keen. ( Just to straighten the edge so I can keep working)
What do you use the jewelers rouge for?
The rouge just gets the edge to a mirror finish. I am sure it is unnecessary, but there is a certain satisfaction to it. 10-20 strokes on the green compound, then flip it over for a few strokes on the rouge side.
Love everything about this.
Thank you
I did not realise there was so much involved with sharpening but now it all makes sense. Those sharpening stations are not too shabby, Dave! Very good.
Thanks Em.