Preferred Method to Sharpen Skew Chisel?

[mgoetzke]

After a break I'm back to turning. I was into bowls but wanted to break myself in with some spindle turning so decided on pens since I have a stash of blanks. I'm enjoying the process of turning pens more than I thought I would. I also purchased a nice Crown/Colwin Way 1-1/4" skew chisel that I really like for the couple of pens I have completed so far (ha - don't think I ever used one before).

When it came time to sharpen I freehand ground it on my 8" CBN wheel, but, then I thought "now I just put a hollow grind on my skew." So this has generated a few questions:

1) Is it important to flat grind a skew or is a hollow grind OK?
2) If hollow grind is OK, do you freehand (like I did the first time) or do you use a jig like the Wolverine skew jig for consistency?
3) I see some use a CBN or diamond card between sharpenings - do you?
4) Seems like flat grinding at the grinder with a CBN wheel with grit on the sides requires a lot of skill. How do others do this?

Thanks

 

[JimB]

I have 4 skews and they all have a hollow grind. i mostly use a 600 grit diamond card to sharpen/hone them. I will do this for months before they need to go to the grinder again. When I do go to the grinder I use the Wolverine platform to do it.

If you want a flat grind the other way to do it is to use a belt sander instead of a wheel.
regardless of flat or hollow I would still hone with a minimum of 600 grit or finer.

 

[JimB]

I should have mentioned I don't use a skew very often as I mostly turn bowls. That is why it is so long between taking it to the grinder. If I was using it for hours every day i would probably be taking it to the grinder a couple times a week.

 

[howsitwork]

I grind to shape and sharp with 120 grit white wheel freehand on a platform , then hold flat and diamond hone with 600 ( I think ) stone . Might hone furthe depending on what i am doing. The finer the skew edge the better the finish generally. Have used a tormek in the past but freehand to give the curve I like

 

[mgoetzke]

Thanks for the feedback. I sharpened mine using a platform but probably should have card sharpened it first. And sounds like no issues with the slight hollow grind.

Mike

 

[leehljp]

There are CBN wheels with a flat side grit for flat grinds if you want that.

Mega Square 8" Diameter, 5/8" Arbor

This wheel is for customers who are not concerned about having a radius edge, it offers more flat area on both the surface and sides than any of our other wheels. The wheel edge is covered with CBN material and is a full 1.5 inches wide and 8-inches in diameter. The side faces are a full 1-inch...

woodturnerswonders.com

 

[mgoetzke]

There are CBN wheels with a flat side grit for flat grinds if you want that.

Mega Square 8" Diameter, 5/8" Arbor

This wheel is for customers who are not concerned about having a radius edge, it offers more flat area on both the surface and sides than any of our other wheels. The wheel edge is covered with CBN material and is a full 1.5 inches wide and 8-inches in diameter. The side faces are a full 1-inch...

woodturnerswonders.com

My CBN wheel has a flat side but unfortunately also a radius. Don't think there is enough flat to grind the 1-1/4" at one touch plus I was thinking to flat grind it this way you need to keep the chisel vertical as well as on the correct bevel.

 

[monophoto]

I sharpen my skews on a sanding disc rather than on the grinder. That way, they get a flat grind. I have a sanding disc mounted on a mandrel that I can attach to the headstock spindle on my lathe for this purpose.

But I don't grind skews all that often - only when they are noticeably dinged up. Normally, I just touch them up on a diamond plate (or a wetstone).

 

[lorbay]

wolverin jig for me
Lij

 

[RichAldrich]

Great reason not to purchase the radius wheels!

 

[Charlie_W]

Platform and hand hone as do others.

 

[randyrls]

Mike; Definitely use a flat grind. Hollow grinds skews tend to be "grabby". Take a look at the skews next time you go to any turning store and look closely at the skews. They will all have flat grinds on them.

 

[mgoetzke]

Great reason not to purchase the radius wheels!

Now how does this help me?

I have a WoodturnersWonders 4-in-1 wheel. It is radiused and then flat on the sides. It is invaluable for sharpening several of my other turning tools vs just a flat side.

 

[MiteyF]

My WorkSharp makes quick work of skews and gives a nice, flat grind.

 

[WriteON]

My WorkSharp makes quick work of skews and gives a nice, flat grind.

Rick Harrell just fabricated this for my newly purchased WS3000

 

[MiteyF]

Depending on what angle you like your skew, and assuming it's not too large, the 3000 has a built-in bevel guide. With the slotted wheel, you can actually SEE your bevel while you sharpen. Incredibly handy.

 

[mgoetzke]

Wow more than one way to skin a cat!

Don't want to grind down too much of my skews cyro-M2 steel but I had to try to flat grind on the side of my wheel and wasn't as difficult as I anticipated!