I've got quite a few chisels and plane irons that desperately need some regrinding, but I don't have a bench grinder or the budget for a Tormek. My local knife store only offers hand sharpening. Am I out of my mind to attempt regrinding them at a 25-degree angle with just my diamond stone? Also, would it be worth investing in a Rikon or Grizzly bench grinder?
3 Answers
Honestly, before we got sucked into buying expensive machines for regrinding, real craftsmen just used a basic bench grinder with a cup of water. I snagged mine for 20 euros used! I have a medium stone that grinds aggressively and a cotton wheel for final polishing. It's definitely doable!
Lee Valley has a great Intro Offer for a hand crank grinder and wheel until September 5! I mainly use glass plates and sandpaper for sharpening, but I find restoring a bevel pretty daunting. That said, a powered bench grinder can take off too much metal if you're inexperienced, so it’s something to think about before splurging on one.
If you're on a budget, just grab a basic bench grinder for around $30-$50 and keep a cup of water handy to dunk the tools in every couple of seconds. Sandpaper is an option, but if you've got multiple tools to work on, it might take way longer than you'd like.