I invented a work-around for chisel rehab.

[gwagner]

Using the coarse diamond stone the first chisel I had to rehab took me 1.5 hours. While there was some zen-like enjoyment to the first one, facing more of them was daunting.

Then I remembered the Tormek video describing how the diamond stones never change shape and don't really wear out -- their grit simply gets finer and finer over time. And I invented a solution that lets the Tormek do its thing for a couple hours, without me having to stand there helping it.

It worked great. However, there are experts in this forum who know things I don't, so I'm sharing this video and asking everyone whether there's a reason I shouldn't be doing this -- something I'm doing that will damage the machine or stone.

Note: The actual pressure is still very light. This chisel had less material to remove than my first one and took about 45 minutes longer. And I stayed near the machine the entire time, checking it and the water level consistently, and moving the chisel back and forth. I also adjusted the stops so the blade shifted all the way to the edges of the stone instead of falling slightly short.

https://www.facebook.com/100042629257420/videos/3070887879893648/

Open to all feedback (no ... really). ;-)

[RichColvin]

Nice!

[Ken S]

Gill,

I am puzzled. There is nothing wrong with inventing work arounds; however, it looks like you didn't fix the problem. Sharpening a standard woodworking chisel, even one needing a lot of work, should require minutes, not hours.

I would not bother trying to restore chisels in this poor condition unless they have a lot of sentimental value, like having been treasured tools used by your grandfather. If they are just old tools you acquired at a yard sale, they are not worth the effort. Your time and money would be better spent buying a premium chisel, like a Veritas PMV or a Lie-Nielsen in half inch. Start with half inch; add a few more sizes only when necessary.

I will stop there for now. Keep us posted.

Ken

[Ukfraser]

Sharpening a standard woodworking chisel, even one needing a lot of work, should require minutes, not hours.

This has been my experience, even with the tools i inherited after my father in law died.  His needed a bit of reshaping and i used the experience as practice to gain experience with the t4 before i tackled my box handled marple chisels and planes i had acquired over the years.

But this thread reminded me of a comment made in an early tormek video about a customer in switzerland and a broom handle.