Push Stick While Grinding

[Alden Sherrodd]

Here are photos of the pushstick I use and the extended width auxillary toolrest. I initially made a pushstick from a section of plastic cutting board I liberated from the kitchen. The melting point was too low on that one and it would stick to the blade. This one is made from 2 layers of Micarta, and is about 3\8" thick. You want the blade to slide easily across the pushstick. When used in this manner the pushstick remains stationary, while you pull the blades across the belt with the other hand. You can easily exert pressure to move the grind up or down the blade. The toolrest (table) in the photos slides over the original, to give support for the length of the grind.
I think Tim uses a slightly different push stick now, and of course you need to adapt the design to suit yourself and your equipment. Another toolrest is used for grinding on the contact wheel.
Good luck and have fun.
Alden

 

[hellgap]

Thanks everyone I appreciate all comments . ty Very much , Kellyw

 

[george tichbourne]

Interesting Alden, never considered using a push stick on a tool rest.

When I am using a push stick it becomes a tool rest for my freehand grinding.

George

 

[G L Drew]

I use this on all my 50 grit grinding. Keeps my fingers away from the heavy stuff and offers good control for free hand grinding. The blade rests on the notch.

 

[Mike Quesenberry]

I started using a push stick after watching a demo by Tim Hancock a couple of years ago. I made one of 1\2 inch thick micarta that is resistant to heat. The stick is teardrop shaped, the rounded is is what you hold and the pointed end is pushed onto the steel. The pushstick is held stationary over the middle of the contact point and the steel is pulled with the other hand. By exerting a twisting force the grind moves up or down. You can take off alot of metal quickly with good control with this style of grinding. It is easier to achieve a good consistent grindline as well.
Good Luck :thumbup:
Alden

I also use the push stick Tim Hancock style. The one thing about the stick is where it makes contact with the blade has to be flat. The flat gives you control on the pressure applied to the blade.

 

[Alden Sherrodd]

George, give it a try, it lets you move the pressure up or down the blade. The style was Tim Hancock's innovation. It helped me solve problems that I had with my grinding skills. To restate; you do not move the stick, the blade slides against it.

GL, that's a good idea to use a file handle on the pushstick.

Alden

 

[george tichbourne]

I will give it a try whenever I get a grinder with a tool rest.

George

 

[John R. Fraps]

I use a push stick when flat grinding on a platen and without tool rest.
Since I still grind post HT, I want hand contact to the blade steel also.

When on a wheel, a push stick 1/2 x 3/4" to Gently apply pressure to the steel is helpful to me.....but still need finger contact with the steel to absolutely avoid too much heat.

I do folders, mostly slippies, so my blades are small compared to what many makers do....and I will not work on a grinder that isn't variable speed and seldom run over 40-50% of full speed, max.