Sharpening a #8 plane iron

Make your own i would say if it doesn’t fit in your guide.

The edges need to be relieved anyway or you will leave tracks. 2-1/2” should be good enough.

Edit: pretty much be beveling both cutting edges of the iron so it doesn’t dig in. The edge will look something like this but not as exaggerated.

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-- Shooting down the walls of heartache. Bang bang. I am. The warrior.

I freehand mine. It’s not so bad after a bit of practice. It definitely helps if you skew the iron 45 deg to the stone and direction of sharpening.

-- The quality of one's woodworking is directly related to the amount of flannel worn.

Wet and dry sand paper on a piece of granite.

Have you measured the jig? Looked at the jig manual for Veritas? If it won’t fit, get a #7 provided 2-3/8” fits. Here's the shop made jigs I use if you’re inclined to go that way. They allow the iron to be skewed on the stone.

I sharpened my #8 type 17 blade with the Veritas jig. I’ve also used it with my 4 1/2’s, and 7’s. No Problem.

Yeah, I’ve done dozens of irons from 8’s in the MK II with no problem. Since you’re stones aren’t wide enough, I’d second the idea of the sandpaper on glass/granite/tablesaw/whatever.

-- Dave, Colonie, NY

-1 on grinding blade to match a stone

+1 for sandpaper w/jig

-- Everything is a prototype thats why its one of a kind!!

The Veritas mk ii guide will fit blades up to 2 7/8” wide: http://www.veritastools.ca/Products/Page.aspx?p=144

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