Built a sharpening station w/storage...

[loutent]

I bought a T8 some months ago and realized that I needed to have some sort of mobility for my basement shop. I designed it around the foam storage that come with the jigs so I built the drawers to fit them. I also needed some way to store my SJ stone and also SB (which is on the way). I didn't feel comfortable having the stones without protection when moving around the shop so I made some covers. Anyway, I thought I post some pictures - so far it's working great.

The finished cart:


Added an LED light:


SJ stone hanging on a 12mm hex bolt (bolt through double 3/4" plywood and epoxied from inside cabinet) - there is another bolt on opposite side for the SB.


Cover for the stone:


And yes - I'm into Festool - the systainer contains my diamond plates and other sharpening stuff.


Lou

[RichColvin]

Lou,

That looks awesome !!  Great work !

Rich

[RickKrung]

Yes! I agree with Rich, that is awesome. 

I have been thinking of building something similar, but I am without a table saw and have not wanted to use my Skilsaw for making the cuts.  I have had a Kreg Jig for several years and have used it to build a few things and love how strong the joints are. I have some plans for some cabinets that I downloaded from the Kreg web site, but have not settled on a design yet.  I have a finished, two-car garage, which is my shop, storage and playroom for my granddaughter, so space is a premium and mobility a requirement.  I like the looks of your cabinet, especially how wide it is.  I will very likely copy yours as much as I can.  Thanks for posting this. 

Rick

[cbwx34]

Very nice!

LED light's a nice touch.

Stone covers are a good idea too.  Chips are a @#$% to get out. 

Thanks for sharing! 

[Ken S]

Lou,

Kudos for a fine job. You have built a nicely made piece of furniture and a very practical workstand. It seeme just the right size, big enough and not too big. I think the Tormek rubber mat makes an excellent work surface. I trust you have a turkey baster.

I would be curious to know the work height you used. It looks right. I definitely like the light you chose, also. Good light is so important.

Your portable design is conducive to setting up so that you can work all around the stand. I like the rotating base, however, my favorite working method is to walk around the bench instead of rotating the Tormek.

I would offer two minor suggestions with the SB and SJ storage: Make sure you have adequate separation behind the wheels to allow them to dry. And, related, grinding wheels can take a long time to dry. Your cardboard boxes will last longer if you give your wheels plenty of time to dry before putting the covers on.

Good job!!!

Ken

[RickKrung]

Lou,

I noticed in your second and third photos what appears to be a Drill Doctor drill bit sharpener (middle shelf).  Do you also have the Tormek DBS-22 drill sharpening kit?  I have both and really like the DBS-22 over the DD, by a very wide margin.  The DBS-22 and the ability to put on multi-faceted angles was the overriding reason for my purchase of a T8.  Knife sharpening was secondary but important once I realized the Tormek was the very machine the guy I took my knives to. 

Rick

[loutent]

Thanks guys for all the nice comments and suggestions.

Ken - I actually do have a vinyl spacer in back of the wheel to allow for air circulation although my routine is
to allow 4-5 days for the wheel to dry - I contemplated drilling 2 or 3 holes top & bottom for ventilation and still
may do that. The wheel is not in the original box - I just used the front box cover and hot glued it in. I was really
concerned about the height so I mocked up a prototype until I got the height that felt right (around 24 inches) and
yes I usually just walk around to the back side instead of rotating. I need that baster tho!

Rick - yep it is a DD and I'm not thrilled with it either - the other device is a Chef's Choice sharpener which is just so-so in
my opinion, especially since I got the T8 - no comparison. My primary goal with the T8 was sharpening chisels and planes
for woodworking with kitchen knives a close second place. I am definitely considering the DBS-22 (notice the empty 3rd drawer  ).

Lou

[cbwx34]

...
the other device is a Chef's Choice sharpener which is just so-so in my opinion, especially since I got the T8 - no comparison.
...

Eeeeek!  I hope you saw an improvement. 

[Stevegee]

Really looks good. You have kindled a spark. I am getting started on my own design now. Thanks for the nice pics.

[RickKrung]

Thanks guys for all the nice comments and suggestions.

Rick - yep it is a DD and I'm not thrilled with it either - the other device is a Chef's Choice sharpener which is just so-so in
my opinion, especially since I got the T8 - no comparison. My primary goal with the T8 was sharpening chisels and planes
for woodworking with kitchen knives a close second place. I am definitely considering the DBS-22 (notice the empty 3rd drawer  ).

Lou

Yes, the DBS-22 is a bit of $, but I've found it to be excellent at sharpening my bits, and I use drill bits on all manner of woods, as well as mild steel and other metals. 

I will be looking to learn to use a grinder for a tertiary grind and a secondary point angle (see also Joe Mazoff's article at http://www.newmantools.com/machines/drillpoint.html) for larger bits (especially when I'm drilling on the drill press).

I do have to hand sharpen my Forstner bits, but use the Tormek jig for all the twist drills.

Rich

I think when you do take that plunge, you will be very happy.  Above is a partial post by Rich Colvin which contains an excellent article on drill bit geometry.  I was already sold on getting the DBS-22 but that article really solidified it. 

This was the first drill I sharpened with the DBS-22.  Totally dealt with the primary issue I had with the DD - single facet only.  Secondarily, the finish is much better, which I like.


Rick