Since I was treating most of the demonstration as a teaching opportunity, I was often holding the tool in one hand and pointing with the other as the shavings rolled onto the floor. I would not recommend this to a novice and not often to an experienced turner but I know when this is and is not safe. One of the conditions is to have a very sharp tool.



Some of the people who were asking the question had been turning for over twenty years and still had problems sharpening a tool. One gentleman who was considering taking up the hobby asked if I sent out the tools to be sharpened in the manner of a table saw blade. I replied to the effect that it would take too long to have them sharpened out of shop, too expensive and too frequent. Often in the course of rough turning a twelve inch bowl, I sharpen a gouge five or six times. If there is sand and grit imbedded in the bark it may be fifteen to twenty times. There is just not time to both turn and to have someone else sharpen.

Typically, turners use a grinder to sharpen. Most turners sharpen by hand, that is holding a gouge or other tool in both hands and presenting it to the grinder. The problem is, most people are not sure how to put an edge on the tool so they step up to the grinder with fear, trepidation and thus stiffness. Gingerly, the tool edge is rolled over the grinding wheel. Then, not sure if the edge is sharp, the whole tool is raised to the nearest light and the edge carefully examined and found wanting. Unfortunately, by the time the tool is returned to the grinding wheel, both hands have moved to different positions, the sharpener is more nervous than ever, and the grind is made worse instead of better.

Here are a few hints to make sharpening easier and the hobby of woodturning far more fun.

First, fix the grinder up for sharpening. Use an aluminum oxide, 80 grit wheel for sharpening and leave the coarse grey wheels for those occasions that you need to grind away a nick or restore an edge entirely. Make sure the wheel is clean. You will get steel filings imbedded in the stone as you continue to sharpen. Dress the wheel with a star wheel dresser to clean the surface.

Second, relax. A gentle touch will produce smooth movements and thus smooth surfaces on the tool edge. Go to the grinder to perform a gentle movement and first go with the grinder off. Practice the grind you want to do with the grinder off and get a feel for the surface of the wheel. Then, with the grinder on, gently sharpen the tool.

Third, make life really simple and use a jig. There are lots of commercial sharpening jigs to be found and some to make. There are free plans for a shop made jig on my web site. I have used it for years. At the demonstration I set the jig, dropped a roughing gouge into place, sharpened it and returned to turning with a sharp tool and piling shavings. The whole process took about thirty seconds and left one turner with his jaw dropping. When I explained the plans were free and cost was under five dollars to make the jig he was amazed.  It will all the difference in the world to his turning pleasure.

So make a jig, sharpen your tools, and turn something. The pleasure is certainly in making something for yourself or a loved one, but it is also and especially in the joy of sweet smelling shavings flying off of a sharp tool.