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Sharpening Plane Blades

Recent Forums Main Forum Techniques and Sharpening Strategies Sharpening Plane Blades

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  • #25961
    Wes Head
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    • Topics: 1
    • Replies: 1

    I am strongly considering a WE purchase in the near term. One of my uses besides knives would be for woodworking planes with the accessory chisel holder. Can anyone share their experiences sharpening planes? Also, as the holder lists a nominal capacity of 2 inches, can anyone tell me the capacity exactly? Most of my planes are small, but I have some weird ones that are a hair over 2 inches.

    Thanks!

    #25974
    Gregg776
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    • Topics: 1
    • Replies: 59

    Most hand plane blades can be sharpened without any adapters, but you may need longer bolts and longer guide rods. Just make sure you get the arc as even as possible by marking the stone or some tape on the stone and setting the blade on the angle so that the ends of the blade are the same distance from the rod pivot point; I just use a pencil on the 600 or 800 grit diamond.

    The locating marks are shown on a knife because my WE is not set up; you don’t have to get it perfect, just as close as practical.
    On another note, the WE won’t make the edge a straight line if it isn’t straight to begin with. You have to be careful to grind evenly. If the blade isn’t straight a Tormek or other grinder designed to grind in a straight line can be used first. The WE is capable of putting a hair splitting edge on your hand planes and it is easy to reinsert the blade to the same spot and resharpen it very quickly with minimal metal removal. Keep a journal of all your angles and settings.

    #25985
    Wes Head
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    • Topics: 1
    • Replies: 1

    Thanks! Looks like it would work well for my needs.

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