Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can EVERY type of carving gouge be sharpened with this system?

A. No. The following carving chisels cannot be sharpened with this jig: BACKBENT GOUGES #34, 36, 38. WING-V # 47. The following SPOON GOUGES can only be sharpened with a side grind attachment: # 24 through #32, and #43 V tool.

 

Q. What is the correct angle to grind a chisel?

A. Carving and cabinet chisels are normally ground between 25 ° and 30°. Turning chisels are sharpened around 35°, although there is great variation and disagreement among experts on this. To access the bottom of a bowl, the nose of a bowl gouge must be much more than 35° to prevent the blade from striking the rim of the bowl, and these chisels are frequently 55° or more.

 

Q. At what position should the side grind attachment be clamped on the chisel?

A. About 2 inches back from the edge.

 

Q. How can I ensure that the attachment is clamped in the same place on the chisel each time?

A. A block of wood with a step at 2 inches, or a hole 2 inches deep, can be used to provide a physical stop.

 

Q. My side grind attachment has an adjustable leg. What angle do I set it to?

A. It is not the angle of the leg that matters, but the angle formed between a line connecting the point of the chisel to the bottom of the leg and the axis of the chisel. This is the offset angle. See diagram.

Geometry of side grind showing the offset angle.

When the angle is small (less than 15°) the grind will resemble a conventional chisel. As the angle is raised, it increases the "side-grindness" in a continuum. Consult directions for your side grind adaptor for specific recommendations, especially the OneWay Vari-Grind web site.