Sharpening a pen blank trimming tool with Tormek

[rolsen]

After I spoiled half a dozen pen blanks with my trimming tool, I noticed it had become very dull, hence the poor results.

Here's my Rotur trimming tool:

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I'll move the blade assembly to the tip of the shank and tighten the hex screw:

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Then I put the tool onto the SVD-186R jig and put it all the way down to make sure I'm sharpening all blades on the same plane:

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Then I'll use the marker method and sharpen first blade, then rotate the blade assembly 90° until all four blades are done. The trimming tool is now Tormek sharp.

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Regards, Rane

[RichColvin]

Rane has a great point.  I like his approach, but wanted a way to ensure that all the cutters were consistently cut to the same depth and perpendicular to the axis of rotation for the pen mill.

I added a part to the 3D-printed goniostat to address sharpening the pen mill also.  Using the depth stop helps ensure the cutters are consistent.



The angle on all my pen mills of this type is around 10°, and that matches those recommended for soft metals in Design and Use of Cutting Tools by St. Clair.

This is very easily done on the Tormek, and I now will be cursing less when making pens.

You can see the details at https://www.sharpeninghandbook.info/WW-PenMill.html and 
https://www.sharpeninghandbook.info/Jigs-Goniostat.html.

[rolsen]

Hey, how awesome is that! Well done Rich!