How to Sharpen Chisels using a bench grinder
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Hand tools are just as important as power tools and are often needed to put "finishing touches" on projects after the power tools have done their jobs!
In order to achieve the best performance with cutting hand tools, one must first have a tool with a keen edge. For many woodworkers, this is a fundamental step in their first lessons. Sharp tools allow for precision cuts as well as ease of obtaining quality results that look great.
When sharpening chisels, it is most efficient to sharpen the entire set rather than one or two only, which allows for uniform wear on the entire set as well as uniformity of all the chisels in the set.
In order to sharpen chisels properly, a bench grinder with a fine and coarse wheel is necessary.
A container full of water will be needed to cool the chisel during the grinding process in order keep the integrity of the steel in tact.
A proper sharpening angle is 30 degrees and many bench grinders have an adjustable tool rest.
Start grinding with the coarse wheel first by placing the chisel on the tool rest and slowly advance the chisel into the spinning wheel, removing only a small amount of material from the chisel. While grinding, slowly slide the chisel on the tool rest from side to side ensuring the entire bevel will be ground uniformly.
Inspect the chisel after each pass on the grinder and dip it into the container of water. After a few passes a slight "burr" will appear at the point of the chisel. When this "burr" occurs, it is time to move to the fine wheel.
Move the chisel to the fine wheel and repeat the same process as with the coarse wheel.
After using the fine wheel, A fine stone will be used to put the keen edge on the chisel.
A fine grit diamond stone (400 grit) will allow a mirror like finish to be
accomplished.
Placing the chisel with the bevel side flat on the diamond stone, holding the chisel down securely with the index finger allows for excellent control while sharpening.
After using the diamond stone, a leather strop secured on each end will be used to work the fine "burr" on the tip of the chisel. This is done simply by scraping the chisel with long strokes back and forth on the strop.
You should now have an extremely sharp chisel which will allow use for many projects.
It is very important to store chisels in a dry place while protecting the sharp edge. Using a leather chisel roll will ensure the chisels will stay sharp for your next project. If you're still look for a bench grinder (I just bought one myself) there are some decent guides over here
Tips for Lighting a Shop or Garage
So... you either have a garage or workshop but it's poorly lit. Perhaps you're still using one bulb in the center of the garage or shop that was put in when it was built.
Here are a few tips on improving the lighting within your shop.
The simplest idea is obvious, an extension cord with some drop lights. This however can get a bit dangerous as it makes a trip hazard if the cords aren't out of the way. Plus if your already using the cord to use your shop equipment such as saws and drills this could create fire hazards.
Something my Grandfather did with his garage that helped a great deal was had an electrician come in and install power outlets strategically placed where he'd have equipment, as well as lighting. He installed a small 32-watt 2 light florescent shop light directly over his primary work bench. This allowed him ample light for the kind of work he does, as well as gave him the electricity to elsewhere. These fluorescent shop lights can be found at most hardware stores such as Lowes or Home Depot. I'm sure one may even find a less quality product at the local Wal-Mart as well, but for quality I would suggest other establishments. The "UtiliTech 2-light 32-Watt T8 Fluorescent Shop Light" is found at Lowes for $49.98. Placing these lights in strategic areas where a lot of light is needed will give you a lot of power requirements.
Utilitech also makes a smaller portable work light that is much brighter and direct than a fluorescent overhead light. For roughly 13.00 through Lowes one can utilize these lights either on the shop floor to give you some extra light on the ground, they can also easily be mounted permanently to the shop walls by a bit of strapping and creative maneuvering. One could even mount them so they could be moved or rotated to position the light where required.
Here's a light improving and energy saving tip for improving light in your shop or garage. If you have the finances I would strongly suggest installing some windows within the shop or garage. If properly installed in proper locations one can utilize daylight to assist in lighting their shop. Not only does this provide extra light, but with this you won't have to turn on any extra unnecessary lights. Saving money for other more important things, like more tools or projects to work on.
When I worked with Electronic Recycling, rather when I started with it. The shop I was in was a poorly wired basement that had one light in the middle. I didn't have the funds nor the permission of the landlords I was renting from to do such an endeavor with outlets and such. So I was forced to improvise. Utilizing the brightest light bulb we could find with the wattage we had. Luckily Christmas had just passed so my wonderful girlfriend, now wife, made a suggestion of using Christmas lights to give us just a bit more light. I bought a couple sets of lights, one was the net lights used to go over bushes and such. We hooked it to the ceiling and ran an extension cord carefully across the basement. Utilizing a couple other sets of the led style lights we lit the basement OK. I had the idea of putting tin foil or something very reflective behind them to provide more light. Remember that a lot of light is lost upwards, redirecting it downwards can improve lighting greatly. This includes light outdoors.
Utilizing lights carefully and safely one can light their shop adequately and efficiently.
Here are a few tips on improving the lighting within your shop.
The simplest idea is obvious, an extension cord with some drop lights. This however can get a bit dangerous as it makes a trip hazard if the cords aren't out of the way. Plus if your already using the cord to use your shop equipment such as saws and drills this could create fire hazards.
Something my Grandfather did with his garage that helped a great deal was had an electrician come in and install power outlets strategically placed where he'd have equipment, as well as lighting. He installed a small 32-watt 2 light florescent shop light directly over his primary work bench. This allowed him ample light for the kind of work he does, as well as gave him the electricity to elsewhere. These fluorescent shop lights can be found at most hardware stores such as Lowes or Home Depot. I'm sure one may even find a less quality product at the local Wal-Mart as well, but for quality I would suggest other establishments. The "UtiliTech 2-light 32-Watt T8 Fluorescent Shop Light" is found at Lowes for $49.98. Placing these lights in strategic areas where a lot of light is needed will give you a lot of power requirements.
Utilitech also makes a smaller portable work light that is much brighter and direct than a fluorescent overhead light. For roughly 13.00 through Lowes one can utilize these lights either on the shop floor to give you some extra light on the ground, they can also easily be mounted permanently to the shop walls by a bit of strapping and creative maneuvering. One could even mount them so they could be moved or rotated to position the light where required.
Here's a light improving and energy saving tip for improving light in your shop or garage. If you have the finances I would strongly suggest installing some windows within the shop or garage. If properly installed in proper locations one can utilize daylight to assist in lighting their shop. Not only does this provide extra light, but with this you won't have to turn on any extra unnecessary lights. Saving money for other more important things, like more tools or projects to work on.
When I worked with Electronic Recycling, rather when I started with it. The shop I was in was a poorly wired basement that had one light in the middle. I didn't have the funds nor the permission of the landlords I was renting from to do such an endeavor with outlets and such. So I was forced to improvise. Utilizing the brightest light bulb we could find with the wattage we had. Luckily Christmas had just passed so my wonderful girlfriend, now wife, made a suggestion of using Christmas lights to give us just a bit more light. I bought a couple sets of lights, one was the net lights used to go over bushes and such. We hooked it to the ceiling and ran an extension cord carefully across the basement. Utilizing a couple other sets of the led style lights we lit the basement OK. I had the idea of putting tin foil or something very reflective behind them to provide more light. Remember that a lot of light is lost upwards, redirecting it downwards can improve lighting greatly. This includes light outdoors.
Utilizing lights carefully and safely one can light their shop adequately and efficiently.