AX SHARPENING WITH POWER TOOLS

[Agent_H]

Professionals sharpening an ax.

View attachment 720777

I want that set up.

Oh Jill...

 

[garry3]

Oof. That's not the worst video with a bench grinder I've seen but it sure isn't great. This isn't with an axe and he's light on the details, but this isn't too bad of a video on grinding thin-edged tools with a bench grinder. Note how he specifically states to use a friable wheel and he uses a very light touch and keeps the tool moving.

It was the first one I clicked on.

Off topic, but my chisels will easily last my life time. And I always flatten the back of my chesil when I sharpen it. But if it's in "Fine Woodworking" it's got to be good.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

Yeah work on a wheel is always just one stage of the total sharpening process and regardless of what kind of tool it is the wheel is just for doing the "heavy lifting" before doing the finer finish work. Flattening is always a good stage to make standard for chisel maintenance so it doesn't slowly become a mess to correct.

 

[rjdankert]

. . .

------------------------------------------------------------------

Axe:

Plane iron:

Chisel:

http://www.bladeforums.com/threads/what-did-you-sharpen-today.1318350/page-6#post-16431877

Bob

 

[Agent_H]

So, like I mentioned earlier in this thread, I haven't had much (any) experience sharpening an axe on a grinder – wheel, belt, or grindstone. I’ve always used files of varying coarseness to reprofile/finish an edge.

If someone who is skilled with the grinder and or a belt, would you be willing to show us what’s up?

This is a Flint Edge –Dynamic- hatchet that I have that I would donate to the cause in good faith. If you would like to pay the shipping, that would also be in good faith - but not if it disqualifies it as a specific purpose give away.

It of course would be yours. They are neat little hatchet/hammers but I know I will do nothing with it and it seems to have grown despondent in that dark drawer…

Really though, it's sat here doing nothing for quite a while primarily because it looks like someone went at it with a grinder of sorts already. I could fix it but I know myself and it won't happen - there is still hardened bit even behind the furthest back ground bevel.

Think someone would be able to straighten the bevels out and sharpen it for us here? Dressing the hammer face would and/or hanging it would be a bonus as well. Mostly I am hoping someone will show us some “Along The Way” photos.

Any takers?

I guess I need grinder coaching more than another hatchet

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I'd be delighted to give that baby a refurb and do a step-by-step photo/possibly video series with it and send it back to ya' ready to hang.

Those Dynamics are real little gems.

 

[Ripshin Lumberjack]

If you have no experience and skill for the job, then know your limits and stay away.
Those that can, do.
Those that can't burn their tools and tell others its bad.

There is more then one way to do something.

Not telling anyone to run out and get a bench grinder.

Nope.

However, a 1x30 from harbor freight and some Norton Blaze belts will make your life easier and get ya swinging faster if you know what you are doing.

Hi

Thanks for mentioning the 1x30 cheap belt grinder from Harbor Freight. I've used one for years and had narry a problem. EVER! However, I do keep a container of water to dip the axe in when it becomes warm. Never,ever ruined a axe blade temper yet with this slower rpm 1x30 belt sander from Harbor Freight.

ripshin

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

That little 1x30 was my first belt sander, years back, and it lasted me about two years of solid daily use until the motor burned out on it. Was well worth the money, though it has limitations.

 

[Agent_H]

Right on FortyTwoBlades! I actually own something you put an edge on.

Here it is posted it a while back:

http://www.bladeforums.com/threads/it-followed-me-home-part-2.1190276/page-25#post-14442911

I'd be delighted to give that baby a refurb and do a step-by-step photo/possibly video series with it and send it back to ya' ready to hang.


Those Dynamics are real little gems.

My thoughts were that it would end up belonging to whoever put work into it with the benefits being seeing some action/how to – sending it back is entirely up to you!

Something along the lines of a “He who grinds it, minds it” sort of an affair but who knows?

 

[Agent_H]

Message sent.

 

[Park Swan]

FortyTwoBlades Glad you beat me to this, I have no time but would have definitely taken it up

 

[Agent_H]

Message sent.

On its way.

 

[johnnyyukon]

my method. The Work Sharp belt thingy. It's swell.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

The Dynamic has landed.

 

[Woodcraft]

You should send it out for a hardness test after.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

After:

 

[rjdankert]

You should send it out for a hardness test after.

I am guessing that you want to know if there is a change, so if any testing is done, then both before and after.


Bob

Edit: too late.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I snapped some video but it'll have to wait until after I get the chance to process and upload it. Should be able to in the next few days, though.

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

I am guessing that you want to know if there is a change, so if any testing is done, then both before and after.


Bob

Edit: too late.

Yeah...I'm not paying for hardness testing to get naysayers to pipe down. They can scream and kick until they're blue in the face and it won't bother me a bit. I'm just demonstrating the method I use when using power equipment to reshape the bit on an axe. I could at least see the temper line during the coarser grinding due to the uneven rate of wear and it goes to just in front of the notch.

 

[Park Swan]

Nice work FortyTwoBlades