Replies

1. 
   Lilshaver | Jul 14, 2002 03:12am | #1

   Never used one of those, but I've sharpened the knives on one of my jointers many times using a router and cup wheel. This method is described by Tage Frid in his book, "Joinery Tools and Techniques." It sounds improbable, but the method works if one takes extreme care in set-up and execution.

1. 
   gpwest | Jul 14, 2002 07:24am | #2

   Ed,

      I ordered one of those last year from Woodworker's Supply. It didn't work at all. My knives were pretty far gone (dull) when I tried it.  This item may be intended to put a fresh edge on knives that are just beginning to lose their edge, and it may work for that. But if you expect it to take the place of removing and regrinding  knives that are dull, I think you will be disappointed.     GP

2. 
   Geovan3 | Jul 15, 2002 04:33am | #3

   I tried them from Rockler and was dissappointed. Same ecperience as GP.
3. 
   PaulGeer1 | Jul 15, 2002 08:44pm | #4

   The only problem I can see with that it's possible to get the knives

   uneven or out of square. I think it's best to remove the knives to

   sharpen, than reset them.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 7/15/2002 1:45:35 PM ET by PAULGEER1

4. 
   forestgirl | Jul 16, 2002 06:43am | #5

   Those little doo-dahs are only meant for light touch-ups, as far as I know, not "real" sharpening.  What's the difference?  Good question, if I do say so myself, LOL.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   EdgarM2 | Jul 16, 2002 11:35pm | #6

   Thanks Forest Girl.  Most everyone so far agrees that those "easy" jointer knife sharpeners don't work very well.  I'll save my money and bite the bullet.  Just hoped to save some time taking the blades out and getting them adjusted again.

   Ed

1. 
   quatersawn | Jul 17, 2002 12:13am | #7

   I've had one for many years now and love it. I think the key is that it is only meant to hone, not sharpen. I never let the blades get too dull, and by touching them up regularly with this device, I am able to avoid for longer periods of time, the removal and sharpening task. They keep a nice even edge across the blade from my experience. But as with anything, dilligence is neccessary.

2. 
   forestgirl | Jul 17, 2002 05:58am | #8

   I know what you mean about saving time.  I find that I'm much, much more hesitant to take chances with the jointer knives than I am with the instant-set planer knives.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   dhpascoe | Jul 17, 2002 04:13pm | #9

   I've found that after I perfected my method of setting knives, so that now I can do it quite quickly (15-20 min), I'm a lot less inclined to wait untill they're too far gone.

   If you're jointer permits, try using an icepick or similar pointed metal. Stick the point under the knife at the ends (between cutter head slot and knife) to quickly raise the knife to the right level.

   Dave

1. 
   forestgirl | Jul 17, 2002 06:59pm | #10

   Ooo, that sounds like a pretty slick idea.  Will keep it in mind when the time comes.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

2. 
   WilliamHF | Jul 18, 2002 04:05am | #11

   Well, fools rush in--------

   Think of those little diamond grit files which come in sets of four: Coarse, Medium, Fine and Extra Fine. Cost about $26 as I recall it.

   I used the "Medium" one, looked at the blades of my old Delta Jointer in the right light with the right glasses on, "caught" the angle of the bevel, ran the same number of strokes at that angle along each blade.

   Noticeable improvement in the "feel" of the honed edge and subjectively in the performance on the next series of jointing passes.

   If you think a human being can't possibly just fingers/hand/wrist/elbow hold the file at exactly the right angle, I have to agree.

   But if you can sharpen your chisels, plane irons, etc. by "freezing" fingers/hand/wrist/elbow at the right angle for the particular tool, why not give it a shot?

   William

   I make something, sometimes twice, each year.

   Edited 7/17/2002 9:07:57 PM ET by William