How to Sharpen a Woodworking Chisel

Sharpening wood chisels is important if the tool is to function properly. Once you learn some simple techniques for sharpening wood chisels, your tool will always be ready for you to work with.

Things You'll Need

• 2-sided sharpening stone with fine and coarse grit sides.
• 1 (6 oz.) can of light lubricating oil
• 1 electric grinding wheel
• 1 board remnant, measuring 2 x 4 inches x 1 foot
• 1 miter saw
• 1 small bucket of water

Instructions

Preparing to Sharpen

1. 

   Place the board on miter saw table and set the cutting angle to 30 degrees.

2. 

   Make a 30-degree cut 3 inches from the end of the board.

3. Set aside a triangular piece containing the 30-degree cut for use as a sharpening jig.

Preparing Old or Damaged Chisels for Sharpening

1. Remove chips or gouges from a chisel blade using an electric grinder wheel.

2. 

   Hold the flat side of a chisel blade to the left of the wheel and gently and gradually slide the flat portion of the blade from left to right across the face of the wheel. Do not apply heavy pressure.

3. Make one pass left to right, then repeat the procedure, moving the chisel right to left.

4. After every second pass, dip the chisel in a bucket of water to prevent overheating and losing the temper of the steel..

5. Repeat Steps 2, 3 and 4 of this section until the chipped portions are removed.

Sharpen New or Reconditioned Chisels

1. 

   Apply a small quantity (quarter sized) of light lubricating oil in the center of the coarse side of the sharpening stone. Use the flat side of the chisel to smooth the oil over the face of the stone.

2. 

   Applying gentle but firm pressure, using a circular motion to remove burrs and rough edges from the flat side of the chisel.

3. Turn the stone over to the smooth side and apply an equivalent amount of oil. Distribute the oil over the face of the stone using the back, flat side of chisel.

4. 

   Sharpen beveled face of chisel by using the jig made in Section 1 to hold the chisel at a 30-degree angle against the smooth face of the stone and rotating it in a circular motion while applying light, but firm pressure. Do not tilt or change the angle of the beveled blade on the stone during sharpening.

5. Apply an additional light coat of oil if the stone gets dry.

6. 

   Continue a firm, circular rotation of the beveled blade of the chisel against the sharpening stone until the bevel blade is uniformly smooth and sharp.

7. Test the sharpness of the blade by making vertical cuts into a scrap piece of wood.

Tips & Warnings

• Sharpening should be a gradual process. Do not rush.

• Using the jig will help maintain the proper angle on the bevel face of the blade.

• Only sharpen the flat side of blade on electric grinder (not the beveled edge).

• Be careful to maintain the 30-degree angle when sharpening the beveled face of the blade.