What is Here
This area of the website incorporates "How To's" and tips and
techniques. I frequently find better ways to do things, when I do I
take the time to share those tips.
I am working on a spacial area for sharpening hand tools. I rely on
my hand tools for every project, so it is critical to keep them
sharp. If you have hand tools around the shop and you don't use
them, then I would bet they are dull. Read on to find out how I
put a razor edge on in minutes. If you don't think my technique will
work for you I have added links to other ways to sharpen.
Sharpening
- What I Use
- I use Japanese water stones to keep my plane blades and chisels
sharp. Water stones are easy to use, and they can accommodate a wide
"quality" of tools. If you have high quality tools waterstones come in
a wide variety of grits, I have seen grits as high as 30,000. I believe
that waterstones can provide the very best possible edge on your tools.
See more here.
- How To
- Once you have decided to use water stones, you will need to know
how to use them. I will explain how I sharpen tools in detail. Im not
trying to improve on other techniques you can find, but I take the
time to put it all together in one spot see more here.
- Maintaining Equipment
- Now that water stones have made your tools nice and sharp, how do
you care for them? Unfortunatly the stones have to be maintained, but I
have found and easy, and inexpensive way to do it. Now if I have your
attention you can read all about sharpening in more detail here.
Shop Tips
- Time Savers
- Coming Soon!
- Quick Jigs
- Coming Soon!
- Shop Helpers
- Router Fence
Quick Tips
Are you getting burn marks on your table saw? Make sure your blade is clean. I clean blade can make all the difference in the world. It will improve the quality of the cut and reduce burns.
In the shop I have round plastic pan that is made for oil changes.
When it is time to clean my blade I place it in the pan and spray it
with CMT orange cleaner. After soaking for a minute or two, the next
step is to clean it with a brass bristle brush. It takes about five
minutes to get the blade cleaned and back on the saw.