Conferences — Sandal Woods | Fine Woodworking

Woodworking in America video: Honing the iron for the jointer plane

October 19, 2010 By Al Navas

Christopher Schwarz shows how to easily and properly sharpen the iron for the jointer plane. Included by popular demand, and with thanks to The Schwarz.

The question that is likely to follow is: Will a similar technique apply to the iron for the smoothing plane? Answer: Yes. You just vary the count (see below, and watch the details in the video).

In its simplest form, you count to ten (or to twenty) while honing the outermost edges. Then… Oh, heck – please watch the video.

Using this technique will make you the sharpening guru you have always wished you were – guaranteed! But you will need a $10 blade holder, and some stones, or sand paper, whatever you use to sharpen. Be consistent, and admire your sharpening skills as they move into the stratosphere — OK, I exaggerate. As a bonus, you will be able to tell your friends that you put an arc to chord of only 0.008″ (8 thousands of an inch!) on that iron – they will be impressed!

I am first to admit that in the last two years I have been doing a much better job with my blades; but from now on I will follow Schwarz’s technique of sharpening. I just know I will be able to get them much sharper than I have to date. And my arc to chord is on the money.

Please let me know:

Are you already a sharpening guru?
If you are, do you use the technique described by Schwarz in the video?
How do you achieve consistent, terrific sharpness on your plane irons?
Or have you been struggling (like me), but look forward to improve your sharpening results?

— Al Navas

Right-click to download in low-res (53 MB)
Right-click to download in Quicktime format (590MB)
Duration: 15:51 minutes

Filed Under: Blog, Cincinnati, Conference, Popular Woodworking, Sharpening, Tools, Woodworking in America Tagged With: curved irons, hand plane, iron, jointer, schwarz, sharpen

Woodworking in America video: Honing straight or curved plane irons

October 15, 2010 By Al Navas

Sharpening curved irons can be one’s nemesis in the shop. However, Christopher Schwarz demystifies this critical skill for us – simply create a letter X on your sharpening stone, and you will do well! This was a terrific session, and a suitable follow-up to the session on grinding your tools. What could be better than first learning to grind a straight or curved iron or chisel, and then properly honing it? A key point to remember: It is proper honing that will give the edge durability.

I hope that the video, edited to just over 9 minutes, will show you the way to get that super-sharp and durable edge in your plane irons, whether straight of curved. Just do it! I included sharpening of an iron for the foreplane – that is, something like a #5, set to take a 1/16th-inch thick shaving in one pass; however, use the same technique to sharpen irons for all your planes. Edit to add (with thanks to Bob Easton for pointing it out): The two other blades that Schwarz mentions in the video, but which I did not include, are for the smoother (flattest), and for a jointer.

If you believe the technique shown by The Schwarz will help you get nice, sharp tools, please let me know in the Comments section. If you have been doing this all your life, I want to know, too. Do you use sandpaper to sharpen? Do you use water stones? How do you sharpen and hone your tools?

— Al Navas

Right-click to download the low-resolution video (95 MB)
Duration: 9:04 minutes

Filed Under: Blog, Cincinnati, Conference, Popular Woodworking, Video, Woodworking in America, Woodworking Magazine Tagged With: curved irons, honing, schwarz, sharpening station, Video, Woodworking in America

Woodworking in America video: How to grind your tools (properly)

October 14, 2010 By Al Navas

This is about the life cycle of a frog, Cincinnati Edition, October 2010, Room 3.

In this episode Christopher Schwarz shows how to properly grind tools. The emphasis throughout the session was on properly. Of course, I have never done it properly. But, after this session, I will – the best part is that I know I will!

That is the true significance of attending the Woodworking in America conferences. The sheer number of sessions, and the teaching and learning that goes on in the classrooms is truly amazing. But how does one go about selecting a class, when so many are offered? It is a simple process – and it involves planning ahead of the conference. Don’t get me wrong; I can get a sharp edge on my chisels and plane irons, as they are mostly flat edges. But what about grinding a plane iron that has a curved edge? This was the key point as, in my case, I wanted to get a good perspective (OK, a great one…) from someone who knows a lot more about sharpening tools than I know. This session was a perfect fit, and a great way to kick off the conference (for me). I set off to learn how to grind that iron, and how to do it right.

Let me know in the Comments section if this video helps you in any way. And if you already knew this technique, I request that you also let me know. I edited the video down to over 8 minutes, from a 40-minute session.

Enjoy!

— Al Navas

Right-click to download the low-resolution video (92MB)
Right-click to download the high-resolution Quicktime video (529 MB)
Duration: 8:20 minutes