Lathe tool sharpener question

[humanrace]

I've been grinding my lathe tools free hand and I'm thinking about buying a Wolverine grinding jig.  Should I opt for the varigrind II or just the original varigrind jig.  Your thoughts or recommendations?  Other jig?  Also, what wheels do you recommend.  Right now I'm using a green wheel that is fairly friable for the finish grind.

[DFJarvie]

I found it’s easier to grind freehand than using the jigs. I use the 40/40 mood on the bowl gouges and pretty much the angle from the factory for the other tools.

If you can afford CBN wheels get them.

[WoodTinker]

I've been grinding my lathe tools free hand and I'm thinking about buying a Wolverine grinding jig.  Should I opt for the varigrind II or just the original varigrind jig.  Your thoughts or recommendations?  Other jig?  Also, what wheels do you recommend.  Right now I'm using a green wheel that is fairly friable for the finish grind.

I added a 80-grit Norton wheel to my 8" variable-speed grinder as per recommendations here long ago. I use the slower speed to sharpen.

I don't use my lathe that often and have the Wolverine system. That being said, for repeatable sharpening I use the wolverine jig.

I recently got the varigrind 2 from woodnet S&S, but haven't tried it yet.

The varigrind 1 is cheaper and works, whereas the varigrind 2 looks to prevent swaying left and right. Either will get you there.

Whichever you wish to buy, try Hartville Tool (https://www.hartvilletool.com/) and mention the woodnet discount.  Is it "Woodnet10" ? This is were I bought mine.

[Wildwood]

Recommend less expensive Vari-grind jig for both finger nail or side grind for you gouges up to 5/8’s of an inch with basic Wolverine System. Not clear if already have the basic system or not.

http://www.packardwoodworks.com/Merchant...=sharp-wss

http://www.packardwoodworks.com/Merchant...=sharp-wss

https://oneway.ca/pdf/GJ%20Instructions%...202010.pdf

https://oneway.ca/pdf/Part%202480%20Vari...202010.pdf

I use Norton blue K-hardness 80 & 46 wheels on 6” grinder. My vari-grind jig so old doesn’t have those notches that have today!

[daddo]

I have better luck by hand too.

A few seconds on the belt grinder and I'm good to go. No overheating.

A good wheel for a bench grinder is the green 80 grit.

[Arlin Eastman]

I have better luck by hand too.

A few seconds on the belt grinder and I'm good to go. No overheating.

A good wheel for a bench grinder is the green 80 grit.

Well this is how I feel and why it works good from me and the other vets.

I like the Oneway Wolverine with the first varigrind and have it set on the 60* notch.

I also use Lyle Jamison's 2" V block and both of his bevel angle jigs

1. https://lylejamieson.com/product/2-inch-...jig-guide/
2. https://lylejamieson.com/product/jamieso...0-degrees/
3. https://lylejamieson.com/product/jamieso...5-degrees/

How they are used is when you put the gouge into the varigrind then put the tool all the way up into the 2" jig and then tighten the varigrind down tight and set it in your long arm in the V and get the grind you want.

Now on the other two what I use them for I use the exact same settings on the varigrind in my above statement and before I put my Spindle gouge into the V of the arm I put the 10* or 15* in the V first and then do the grind.  That way I have a very very nice swept back on the grind where it acts like a great detail gouge and goes in at a great angle and never any dig in's or catches.

I have the varigrind set on the 60* all the time and I mark my gouges with the degree if I use those blocks.


Now why I use the Wolverine is consistent cuts every time and very little loss of metal while sharpening and doing so free hand like I did for the first 3 years is I never got the same grind time after time and ground away a lot of metal.

Same with the vets.  It makes it so easy for them to sharpen tools the same way time after time and all that is needed is to put the tool in the varigrind and put it in the V and go left and right and it is done in 15 seconds.  Makes it even nicer when you sharpen your tool for the last cut to since you want it nice and sharp to get the wood perfect before sanding.

[humanrace]

Lots of good info.  Thanks to all.

[badwhiskey]

I've been grinding my lathe tools free hand and I'm thinking about buying a Wolverine grinding jig.  Should I opt for the varigrind II or just the original varigrind jig.  Your thoughts or recommendations?  Other jig?  Also, what wheels do you recommend.  Right now I'm using a green wheel that is fairly friable for the finish grind.

I used to go by eye/hand, but find the original varigrind to be a big upgrade.  I get consistent grinds on my gouges.  The varigrind 2 looks better, but honestly I haven't seen a problem with the one.

Frank

[woodtoolgy]

Post here to find someone local who has one and ask them to demo it for you. When I had my shop, I did that all the time. Build some great friendships that way

[Stwood_]

I hand grind.
Either with the 1x30 belt, or the white wheel on the 6" grinder.
I also use the 3M abrasive wheel to touch up. Works similar to a leather strop.