For me, any trick that makes sharpening woodworking tools faster and easier, is a trick worth considering. In this video segment, I’ll show you how to build a compact sharpening station designed to hold either oil or waterstones securely to your work surface. This fixture also has the added benefit of helping to keep your worksurface protected from the inevitable sludge and grime that is part of the sharpening process. When you’re done honing your edges, stow the fixture out of the way. (4 Minute Video)

Occasionally it is necessary to sharpen very badly worn and/or out of square plane irons, chisel blades or other tool edges. You could hand sharpen the edge using traditional water or oil stones, but you’ll save time doing the heavy prep work with a power grinder. The key is to make sure you do it right. You don’t have to spend a fortune on a grinding machine. Even a budget model will give you good results. In this short video clip, I’ll take a beat-up, 50 year old plane blade/iron my dad had stored on his shelf and restore a course, but accurate, approximate 25 degree hollow ground bevel in preparation for hand sharpening with japanese waterstones. Learn this time saving method. (5 Minute Video)

High-speed power grinders are one of the most common sharpening tools found in woodworking shops and studios. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to find, and versatile. But sharpening your tools (including plane blades, gouges, and chisels) with this type of grinder comes with a caution. Make sure you don’t overheat the metal. Overheating tool steel will cause it to loose temper, and can destroy or damage your tool. Poorly maintained cutting wheels can contribute to overheating.

In this quick video segment, I will show you how to square up, flatten and de-glaze your grinding wheel with a carborundum stick or diamond embedded dressing/cleaning tool. (1.5 Minute Video)