BIG TREE TOOLS
VERSA-JIG
INSTRUCTION SHEET FOR VERSA-JIG
While the V-block on the base board will accommodate chisels from 12 to 25 inches in length, the VERSA-JIG will handle ALL CHISELS up to fourteen inches in length. This includes CARVING CHISELS, CABINET CHISELS, and blades for HAND PLANES. It is also used with a side grind attachment. It is designed to fit all recent model sharpening machines (2006 to present).
Parts of the VERSA-JIG
1. Horizontal rod (L-rod)
2. Vertical rod with conical cup
3. Mounting block with handle and two screws
4. Connecting block with handle and knob
INSTRUCTIONS For Chisels
The position of the vertical rod can be moved from left to right to make it easier to employ the entire width of the belt. Also it can be tilted forward and back to keep it in alignment (parallel) to the chisel being sharpened.
To sharpen carving chisels or cabinet chisels, place the vertical rod in the lowest position.
Elevate the conical cup only for use with a side grind attachment. This will keep the handle of the gouge from striking the base board.
HOW TO SET THE ANGLE
Before sharpening any chisel or blade, observe the existing bevel and decide if it is at the correct angle or needs to be changed. (For information on tool point geometry see article HERE)
If the angle or shape needs to be changed, use a coarse belt (60 or 80 grit) to start, and proceed to a fine belt (150 grit for turning chisels and 240 for carving chisels) only for the finish grinding.
First slide the horizontal rod to achieve an approximate angle. Place the handle of the chisel in the cup, and rest it against the belt (machine stopped). Next, check that the vertical rod is approximately parallel (in line) to the handle of the chisel. (The position of the handle in the conical cup will be more stable if they are in line.) Now readjust the horizontal rod until the bevel of the chisel seems to be flat on the belt. Using slight pressure, rub the bevel from side to side against the belt very briefly. Turn the chisel over, and observe if the scratches on the chisel are evenly distributed across the whole bevel. If the scratches are mostly near the edge, move the horizontal rod inward (closer to the belt), if the scratches are mostly at the heel, move the rod further out (away from the belt). When you get the right position, start the machine and begin grinding.
To sharpen plane irons (blades), turn the vertical rod upside down and use the v-notch in the end of the rod. The easiest way to do this is first rotate the horizontal-rod 90 degrees counter clockwise and re-lock. Loosen the knob and withdraw the rod. Pass the rod through the other way, then return the L-rod to its original (horizontal) position. Check that the notch is straight across, parallel to the belt. To adjust the angle, use the same procedure as described above for chisels.
Sharpening SIDE GRIND GOUGES
To achieve a SIDE GRIND (or fingernail grind) on your gouge, it is necessary to swing the handle from side to side, instead of just rotating it. In this case it is not possible to use the vee-block.
First you will need a SIDE GRIND ATTACHMENT. This is a device that clamps onto the blade of your gouge. It has a LEG which projects down at an angle and creates a pivot point which is off-axis from the chisel. The leg fits into the cup of the Versa-Jig.
Following are some side grind attachments on the market: (prices 11/07)
• OneWay Wolverine Vari-Grind $48
• Woodcut Tru-Grind $65
• Ellsworth (for 5/8 only) $45
• Packard Woodworks (3/8 to 5/8) $30
Raise the cup to a position which is high enough to prevent the handle from striking the base board as it is swung from side to side. To raise the cup, loosen the small knob on the front of the connecting block.
Attach the side grind attachment about 2 inches back from the nose of the chisel. It must be attached at EXACTLY the same point each time it is used. A simple jig consisting of a block of wood with a hole 2 inches deep will allow quick setting of the attachment.
Adjust the distance of the Versa-Jig cup from the belt until the angle at the nose of the chisel is what you desire. (To access the bottom of a bowl without the blade striking the rim, a coarse angle around 55° is often used. For detail gouges use a much smaller angle.)
Some side grind attachments allow the leg to be adjusted to various angles. It is not the angle of the leg that matters, but the angle formed between a line connecting the nose of the chisel to the bottom of the leg and the axis of the chisel. This is the offset angle. See figure 6 below.
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.