DennisS wrote:
Jamie -
You might want to buy one, maybe two cheapest of the cheap gouges of whatever size, just to practice with. Both turning and sharpening. What held me back from freehand sharpening was the cost of the HSS tools in my limited collection. Wish I had taken my own advice a few years ago.
Done did, Dennis. Well, not the cheapest of the cheap, but relatively inexpensive. I'm calling Woodcraft tomorrow to get my second grinder wheel shipped from Seattle, should have it Tuesday. I'll just take a deep breath and go for it, gently.
I took my p***-poor Delta tools with me to class, complete with blue tips from the previous owner. Bonnie gave them the ixnay, I sold them today on Craig's List. Anyhoo, I sharpened a gouge with her help in class. I think I can do it if I don't drink so darned much coffee first.
May not be perfect the first (100) times, but some day....
PS: I would have felt guilty about selling those tools, but I only asked $35 for them, they are seviceable if one wants to take the time to slowly, cooly regrind them, and the buyer had been using home-made tools created from old spade bits! Even the Delta's would be better than that.