How to Sharpen a Metal Lathe Tool
Sharpening a lathe tool is a matter of following the edges that already exist on the tool. By making sure you cool the tool when it gets too hot, you can easily sharpen it on a bench grinder or stand-up grinder and it will cut as new if done correctly. Readjusting the relief on the other side of the edge can also help you use a re-sharpened lathe tool in an effective manner.
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Instructions
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1
Dress your grinding wheel. As you use your grinding wheel, the surface has buildup that will affect the sharpening process. If using a bench grinder, you can use any diamond sharpening tool to dress the wheel. On a stand up grinder, there is a tool that has a built in block that you can set on the table to dress the wheel. Lower the wheel to the sharpener so that it touches the tool. Using the traverse wheels, move the table to remove the worn surface of the wheel.
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2
Hold your lathe tool at the angle of the dull cutting edge to cut one side of it and rest flat on the tool rest. Different lathe tools have different angles for the cutting edge. Many are between seven and 30 degrees, but follow the original edge. This will grind the correct seven-degree angle for the cutting surface.
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3
Push against the moving grinding wheel making contact with the entire length of the edge at the same time for about 10 seconds. Push until you see some sparks. You will know you are cutting the entire length if you see sparks along the entire edge. If not, adjust the angle you are holding the tool at until you see sparks on the whole length.
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Repeat Step 3 a few times and then dunk the tool in a cup or bwl of water. You want to cool it down, because if it gets too hot, it will be very difficult to hold during the remainder of the sharpening.
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5
Regrind the relief on the other side of the tool. If the tool tip is more than 90 degrees, it will scrape the work piece as it cuts. You want the angle of the tip to be less than 90 degrees, so grind the other side of the tool, leaving enough material to support the edge while it is cutting. If you remove too much material on the non-cutting side, you risk breaking the tool tip.
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Tips & Warnings
Always eye protection when using a grinder.
