Things You'll Need:
- Grinder
- Stand sand
- Soft bond wheel
- Diamond dresser
- Star dresser
- Gouge
- Spindle gouge
- Bowl gouge
- Skews
- Parting tools
- Scrapers
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Step 1
Purchase a tool grinder, preferably 3500 rpm. Mount it securely to a stand, and fill the base with 25 lbs. of sand to absorb the vibration.
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Step 2
Replace the manufacturer's abrasive wheel with a soft bond wheel made from 60 grit aluminum oxide. Grinder wheels can be purchased from a wood lathe supplier.
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Step 3
Cleaning and rounding the grinder wheel is important for maximum tool sharpness. Diamond dressers for rounding and star dressers for cleaning can also be purchased from wood lathe suppliers.
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Step 4
Grind a gouge tool straight across by setting the tool at a 45-degree angle up against the stone. Once the tool is in place, turn on the grinder and move the tool back and forth against the grinder as it turns.
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Step 5
Sharpen a spindle gouge by setting the tool at a 60-degree angle. Move the tool back and forth over the grinder as it turns. A bowl gouge is sharpened at a 70-degree angle, and an oland tool is sharpened at a 45-degree angle.
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Step 6
Using a 1000 grit sanding stone, sharpen parting tools, skews and scrapers by hand. These all have simple straight edges that are easy to sharpen with a hand stone. Move the edge back and forth over the stone until the tool is sharp.
