sharpening jig question

Re: Japanese style chisels with a high V back *LINK*

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>These are usually called dovetail or shinogi (we in the English speaking world call them dovetail because of the way they're often used), just to save you some typing next time.

Don't know about the LV MKII specifically, but LV does have the small blade holder that works fine.

Pam


LV Small blade holder

Re: Japanese style chisels with a high V back

Tony Zaffuto

>Thanks Pam,

I have a Japanese dovetail chisel & have sharpened it satisfactorily freehand (as I do most of my tools). Was perusing some catalogs last night and thought it would be nice to have a jig that could do short spokeshave blades and narrow chisels (both of which I have issue with). The new LV and the Kell jigs look like they could do the job.

Anyhow, in another matter, when you have some time, do you think you could compose a post (as a separate thread) of what it takes to set up a Japanese, Chinese or Taiwanese style plane? I've looked at these a number of times and with such attractive pricing, I've wondered if there are any "tricks" to getting them to work well.

Thanks,

T.Z.

Re: Japanese style chisels with a high V back *LINK*

Pam Niedermayer - Austin, TX

>Yeah, I've also had problems with small blades, which is why I bought that LV small blade holder, as well as with narrow chisels for which the answer is deliberative practice and practice and.... Sometimes I resort to what I do for many carving chisels, some very, very tiny, which is to use green rouge on a wood base and cut/carve a mirror image shape which is then useful for sharpening. I don't have any real problems flattening the backs of the narrow chisels on regular stones.

As to a separate thread on setting up Japanese planes, this sounds a little daunting at the moment. There are some tricks, definitely. When faced with my first Japanese plane, I realized how much I didn't know and decided the best way to learn was to learn how to make a dai, so off to Inomoto-san I went. I recommend you start with Jay van Arsdale's online dai making seminar. I'll be happy to try to answer any specific questions you may have.

Pam


Daiku Dojo dai making class

I have the Kell jig...

Scott Burr in Ben Lomond CA

>The smaller one that is. I got it to sharpen my Japanese DT and mortise chisels. Personally I don't like it. As you can see in the pic it's nearly impossible to hold on to and keep registered. Also this model only opens up to 1 inch. Pretty much useless on spoke shave blades. If you use sandpaper as a sharpening medium it will tear up the wheels of the jig (DAMHIKT). I find it much easier to sharpen Japanese chisels free hand because of the nice high bevel area. I highly recommend you learn to do them freehand as well. It�s very simple to get the hang of and fast too.

Re: sharpening jig question

wilbur

>Given that you already know how to sharpen freehand, if you are having issues with narrow chisels, all it really takes is practice and patience.

But if you really want to use a sharpening jig, I've never tried this, but....

Get a scrap piece of wood. Carve a v-shaped groove to closely match the back of your Japanese dovetail chisel on one side. The groove should be shallow enough so that the flat side of chisel remains proud of the wood. Shape the other side with a smooth convex curve. Use this jig to mount your chisel in the sharpening jig. Presuming that the clamping mechanism of the sharpening jig is flat, the idea is that the flat side of the chisel registers on the bottom side of the jig, while the rounded side of the piece of wood provides a stable place for the top part of the clamp to "autofit" to. (I'm sure there's a better word, but I'm blanking on it now.) Here's a bad cross-sectional picture of what I mean:

Re: sharpening jig question

Michael Brady

>Here are some opinions to consider in your decision: I have a MkII and like it very much...except for honing chisels. It is not nearly as effective at holding narrow blades that are tapered as it is wide blades(irons)that are uniform thickness. I attribute this to the wide separation of the tensioning screws.

I do not have a Kell jig but have heard that the wheels wear down quickly if you use sandpaper to sharpen.

I think you will see some excellent new jigs available later this year from a famous plane/chisel manufacturer. Maybe wait for those...I am, or just use a cheap Eclipse-type for now.