Life of a tool.

[john lucas]

Years ago I made a great decision. Like every new I'm sure I was afraid to sharpen often because I didn't want to use up my expensive tool.. one day it occurred to me that tools should be thought of like sandpaper, that being disposable. Like sandpaper you will use them up. So I quit worrying about usingbtgem up and sharpened as frequently as needed. This did 2 things. First off using a sharp tool is way more fun than struggling with a tool that is less sharp. Second, because I sharpened a lot my sharpening skill improved a lot. Consequently my tools actually last longer because I am removing less metal each time I sharpen. It also taught me to spend less time at the grinder. So that one revolution has given me a lot more time and enjoyment at the lathe. Also my production time on each item went down because I was using sharp tools.

 

[Bill Blasic]

I don't want an edge that self feeds and I don't want an edge that I have to push. I want an edge that cuts with me steering it and I'll steer it until I can't, then it needs to be sharpened. Did I know that when I started, heck no. All a part of learning and learned I did. Started with free hand sharpening and got an edge that I could cut with but little did I know what a refined edge was like until I bought the Oneway Wolverine System. Then I had a better understanding of sharp but still toiled with sharpening all my gouges with handles. When I was handed my first 10 V tool without a handle and got a handle that I could take the tool out of the handle to sharpen it I was in seventh heaven. Stayed that way until I saw the Vector Grind Fixture from Michelson at my first SWAT, now an even better grind that mimicked the hat makers grind. Then came CBN wheels and bought my 1st at an AAW Symposium that was made overseas. Now not only sharp but removing way less steel to get it sharp. Lastly carbide that is vastly different than the carbide I used at GE and that's where I am today. I have learned from this forum and others and consider these places where anyone can learn and anyone can post what they do more or less. I post my my travails through this great thing called woodturning and folks can use it or not but it is me.

 

[Doug Freeman]

IMO @john lucas description is a great reason for new turners to start out with “hi value” m2 tools (low cost good m2 steel, like PSI benjamins best). It can take a while to learn sharpening, as well as what particular grinds/angles one prefers for what they like to make. Much less anxiety putting a tool that cost 1/2 or less to the wheel for shaping or sharpening, allowing one to learn and experiment more quickly.