QUESTION:
I have a few large mortising chisels that taper from the bolster to the cutting edge. Unfortunately, my honing guide requires the chisel to have parallel sides, or the cutting edges end up skewed. Can I use a honing jig and get a square cutting edge?
—Mike Woolf, Vashon, WA
ANSWER:
You’ll have to square the chisel in the jig by eye. First set the chisel to the desired honing angle. Then adjust it so that the cutting edge is square to the sides of the honing guide.
As you hone the primary bevel, periodically check the cutting edge with a small square. Look for the gap on each side to be the same.
Drawing by Vince Babak
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Norton Water Stones
This kit includes everything you need to sharpen all of your blades, with water stones in four grits and a separate stone to keep them flat.
Mist Coolant System
A mister for keeping tools cool while you hone them on your grinder. This mister has a base that can be screwed to a support near your grinding wheel or drill press. It conveniently hooks up to a small shop compressor, and by charging it with coolant, you can keep tools rust free.
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