Replies

1. 
   rslatm | Oct 28, 2003 12:18am | #1

   Woodtek also has an inexpensive unit.  Probably works fine.  Years ago I bought the Mark II sharpening system from Woodcraft for carving tools.  Sanding belt on one side and a buff on thr other.  Fastest way I've ever sharpened carving tools. You could recreate something similar with what's available out there.
2. 
   Alan | Oct 28, 2003 01:34am | #2

   Tom,

   I have the Makita; I would not buy it again.  If you're looking to sharpen mainly planer and jointer knives the Makita may be the best for you.  However, if you're going to use it mainly for hand tools I doubt you'll be happy with it.

   I use for sharpening hand tools only (I use only hand tools) and I would not buy it again.  It's impossibly fussy to set up for hand tools--doing it the way they tell you to set it up, you have to juggle three different adjustments at the same time.

   What they call a "hand tool jig" is a piece of junk.  It doesn't work at all well.  After fiddling and altering and experimenting for a year or so I finally made some alterations to the hand tool jig to make the set up much easier.  But still, I use the machine only if I have a nick or chip I have to grind out.  Otherwise my waterstones are faster.

   But, again, it may be just the bees' knees for you.

   Alan

1. 
   migraine | Oct 28, 2003 03:31am | #3

   I would have to disagree with the Makita wet stone grinder.  I love mine and I reallly don't use it that much any more.  I mainly use it to re surface/square my Japanese chisels after I have hammered out the back(or what ever you call it) This puts the flat edge back un the concave surface.  Does any body understand this??   I have never used it to sharpen jointer or planer knives- I send them out

   But, then again, it's just my opinion 

1. 
   Scrit | Oct 28, 2003 12:12pm | #4

   I've had a Makita for a few years now and my feelings about it are really mixed. It will grind jointer knives, albeit somewhat slowly, however I feel that above 12 inches long and you are asking too much of the machine. I've found it to be excellent for mitre cutter knives, though, which is why I've retained it. Mine didn't come with a hand tool jig, so I can't coment about that, but it does need some form of accurate holder to handle hand tool cutters. It's certainly reliable. If you do get one make sure that you get a couple of extra wheels for it (coarse and fine).

   I don't know how much they are in the States but I've now settled on a Tormek for my other hand tool grinding as I find it a lot easier to live with

   Just my two pennorth worth

   Scrit

3. 
   fishman | Oct 28, 2003 08:34pm | #5

   TJ, I would bite the bullet and go the Tormek route if yor are serious about having really sharp tools.  I agonized over the expense of the Tormek for years. And for years I kept reading about them and trying the glass route, all kinds of stones, etc. Well, I finally got my Tormek, and I only wish I had done so a long time ago. I defy anyone to put a better sharper edge on a plane blade. Now even my cheapest planes plane like a dream. You can't believe how nice it is to have full width whisper thin shavings roll out of the plane. It is such a quality tool, I can't say enough about how pleased I am. Even their shipping package puts other manufacturers to shame. I bought mine from Sharp Tools and they even shipped for free and added the stone grader for free. I bought the knife jig, as I have sharpened all my plane blades and need to work on all my knives. Well, that's my two cents worth (and maybe more), but I am into woodworking to work wood, not be a metal worker. If some people want to spend endless hours over a stone so be it - I want to woodwork.

   Larry Fisher