Hand Plane maintenance
Work Sheets
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Sharpening a plane blade is very similar to sharpening a chisel, Almost the same technique is used.
Step one - Get a flat back
While some blades come with a flat back, you still need to polish it. Start polishing the back on a #1,000-grit stone, then move to #4,000 and finish at #8,000. If the back needs serious work, start flattening on #80-grit sandpaper stuck to a flat surface.
Step one - Get a flat back
While some blades come with a flat back, you still need to polish it. Start polishing the back on a #1,000-grit stone, then move to #4,000 and finish at #8,000. If the back needs serious work, start flattening on #80-grit sandpaper stuck to a flat surface.
Step two - check the bevel edge
Check the bevel edge is flat, if not then grind it until it is flat. It should be between 25 degrees and 3 degrees of angle.
Check the bevel edge is flat, if not then grind it until it is flat. It should be between 25 degrees and 3 degrees of angle.
Step three - honing the secondary bevel
using a 30 degree angle Use equal finger pressure at each corner to hold the blade edge flat to the #1,000-grit waterstone and pull it toward you 10 times. Observe the edge. Feel the back for a small curl of metal (This is called the burr). If the grinding scratches are gone, switch to a #4,000-grit stone. Hone, observe, repeat. Then move to #8,000 grit.
using a 30 degree angle Use equal finger pressure at each corner to hold the blade edge flat to the #1,000-grit waterstone and pull it toward you 10 times. Observe the edge. Feel the back for a small curl of metal (This is called the burr). If the grinding scratches are gone, switch to a #4,000-grit stone. Hone, observe, repeat. Then move to #8,000 grit.
Step four - Remove the Burr
Place a thin ruler across one edge of your #8,000-grit stone and place your blade across it. This will raise the blade less than 1° and concentrate the hone on the working edge. Hone the back by working the blade on and off the far edge of the stone for about 10 passes.
Place a thin ruler across one edge of your #8,000-grit stone and place your blade across it. This will raise the blade less than 1° and concentrate the hone on the working edge. Hone the back by working the blade on and off the far edge of the stone for about 10 passes.
Step Five - Check the Blade
Hold the blade towards a light source, you should not see an edge. If you do then go back to step one.
Hold the blade towards a light source, you should not see an edge. If you do then go back to step one.
Reference:
http://www.popularwoodworking.com/techniques/woodworking-101-basic-sharpening
http://www.popularwoodworking.com/techniques/woodworking-101-basic-sharpening