Sharpening a LN Skew Block Plane

1/22/05, 5:51 PM #1

Mike Rubes, Apex, NC
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Registered: 6/1/04

Sharpening a LN Skew Block Plane

Mike Rubes, Apex, NC

>Hi all,

I used my B-Day discount (Woodcraft) and some B-Day gift money today to order a LN 140 Skew block plane. Thanks a lot to this board for great information in making my decision. Unfortunately, it is not a plane Woodcraft stocks so I won't get it in hand for 7-10 days. I got the left handed version with the knicker option. My question regards sharpening the blade. I've had good luck using the sandpaper method and a LV rolling jig to hold the plane blade for straight blades, but am wondering how people sharpen this angled blade? Maybe I am not seeing the geometry clearly, but it certainly doesn't look like a standard jig is going to work? I *really* like using jigs for sharpening/honing. Does any one have a jig they use to sharpen a skew blade? Storebought or handmade, I'm looking for ideas here. Is the consensus that this has to be sharpened free-hand?

Thanks again for your help, this hand stuff is addictive!

Mike

Too cold for the shop in Apex, NC

Re: Sharpening a LN Skew Block Plane

1/22/05, 6:00 PM #2

Dan CLermont in Burnaby
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Re: Sharpening a LN Skew Block Plane

Dan CLermont in Burnaby

>Hi Mike.

I'll try to explain this but it will probably end up being clear as mud.

First thing to do is put the blade in your sharpening jig skewed so the bevel touches across the width and length. Next take a scrap of wood and hold the sharpening jig up to the wood and glue/screw/tack scraps on the sides and the end of the bevel.

Next time you want to sharpen the blade just put the blade on your jig and then secure your sharpening jig.

Dan clermont

Re: Sharpening a LN Skew Block Plane

1/22/05, 6:37 PM #3

Dan Donaldson
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Registered: 9/17/01

Re: Sharpening a LN Skew Block Plane

Dan Donaldson

>The LV sharpening jig has enough room to skew the blade such that the bevel is flat on the stone.

- - -

I have been woodworking for about 25 years now, and would consider myself an enthusiastic amateur. My claim to fame (or infamy) has always been fixing stuff. I spent time in the Air Force in the 60's then went to work as an electronic technician for civil service. I finally got my EE, and being fed up with the civil service nonsense, took a job with Ford Motor Company until I went with the split to Visteon last year. I got interested in music and started playing in a bluegrass band. I wanted a new guitar, and that kind of led me into woodworking. I bought some books, a few tools, and built a guitar. Luckily, I didn't know any better than to try that as a first ever project. I still play it when I get a chance, so it must not be too bad if it can live for over 20 years. After a stint in Mexico for my job, I moved into a new house and built a small shop. Since then I have been collecting tools and skills, probably more of the former than the latter ;-). Finding this site has done more for my skills and enjoyment than anything else. I have learned a lot and really enjoy the friendships that I have made here. I have been married to LOML (Lori) for 32 years now and have 6 kids. When they are all gone, I want to get a 1 bedroom house (so there is not room for them to move back in) and at least a 6 car heated/air conditioned garage for a shop. (Dream on...)

Re: Sharpening a LN Skew Block Plane

1/22/05, 6:48 PM #4

William Duffield, on the Cohansey
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Re: Sharpening a LN Skew Block Plane

William Duffield, on the Cohansey

>Like the others, I use the L-V jig and sandpaper, too. You just need a bit wider piece of glass than you might get away with for a non-skewed blade, since the blade kind of hangs over the side of the jig. I's a bit difficult to get it lined up just right, so I use a black magic marker to blacken the bevel. After I think I have it adjusted properly, I take one light pass on the highest grit paper and look at where the black has been rubbed off, to refine my adjustment. When it cleans it all off with one pass, you have it set right, and can go to serious sharpening.

Re: Sharpening a LN Skew Block Plane

1/22/05, 7:34 PM #5

Mike Rubes, Apex, NC
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Registered: 6/1/04

Fast Responses!

Mike Rubes, Apex, NC

>Hi all,

Thanks for the very quick responses. The LV is the jig I already have and use for my plane blades, it just didn't occur to me that it would be wide enough to handle the skewed angle of this blade. Thanks!

Of course, now I have to wait, wait, wait for the plane to arrive!

Thanks again,

Mike

Re: Sharpening a LN Skew Block Plane

1/22/05, 8:44 PM #6

Mike-in-Havertown
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Re: Sharpening a LN Skew Block Plane

Mike-in-Havertown

>I just got the same plane on ebay for a nice discount. If you look in the Complete book of Sharpening by Tom Lie Nielsen he explains how to sharpen the blade (pics included).

It is so simple I accomplished it on my old stanley 140. Since I have the new lie-nielsen I might have to sell the stanley

Re: Sharpening a LN Skew Block Plane

1/22/05, 9:08 PM #7

Lyn J. Mangiameli
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Re: Black MM

Lyn J. Mangiameli

>Giving some serious thought to this, I think a Black Magic Marker my be my single most valuable sharpening tool.

Re: Sharpening a LN Skew Block Plane

1/23/05, 2:03 AM #8

Jack in Vancouver
Guest

Honing guide designed for LN140 *LINK*

Jack in Vancouver

>Hi Mike,

I had the same problem trying to sharpen my LN140. Saw a review in Canadian Woodworking magazine for a Richard Kell Honing guide that was actually designed to sharpen the LN skew blade. I ended up getting one and sure am glad I did! Outstanding quality! It works a treat!

Jack

LN140 honing guide

Re: Sharpening a LN Skew Block Plane

1/23/05, 2:10 AM #9

Jack in Vancouver
Guest

Oops..here is pic

Jack in Vancouver

>

Re: Sharpening a LN Skew Block Plane

1/24/05, 6:33 PM #10

Todd Stock
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Registered: 1/21/04

Re: Sharpening a LN Skew Block Plane

Todd Stock

>The combination of the LV angle setting jig and the honing guide should work well. I find that I can place the blade in the angle guide and allow the honing guide to drift down the blade as I tighten the retaining screw. This results in perfect alignment.

Sharpening a LN Skew Block Plane

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