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General Work Sharp 3000 Questions

2K views 18 replies 12 participants last post by  dschlic1 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I spent some time looking for a sharpening system to get me started out and I'm planning to order a WS3000. I have a new set of VonHaus chisels that need some love along with a Stanley no 4 and no 5 plane that I need to restore. I'd like a Tormek but can't spend that kind of coin right out of the gate and from what I read they aren't the greatest for regrinding a bevel.

I'm planning to go the diamond coated lap disc route so I'm not burning through sandpaper constantly. What laps are you guys using? Google hasn't given me anything concrete for brands to work with. I would like to stick with the same brand so random thickness issues don't arrive. Also for those of you that have done it did you bother applying an adhesive magnet backing to the glass discs?

As far as disc setup goes I'm thinking of pickuping up a few extra. This way I can have one disc with the same grit on the front and back so I don't have to flip the disc when working the front and back of a chisel. Good idea or just expensive laziness?

Those of you who put up the cash for the leather stropping disc how do you find it's wear? Lasts long enough to be worth the cost?

How easy has it been to find some of the discontinued accessories on the used market?

Thanks for any help gang.
 
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#2 ·
I m planning to go the diamond coated lap disc route so I m not burning through sandpaper constantly. What laps are you guys using? Google hasn t given me anything concrete for brands to work with. I would like to stick with the same brand to so random thickness issues don t arrive. Also for those of you that have done it did you bother applying an adhesive magnet backing to the glass discs?

- OsirisProtocol
I don't believe in such a thing as expensive laziness. I'm in the market for a WS3000 myself and the extra discs is something I've added to my budget. To me the purpose of the tool is to speed up time sharpening. If an extra disc eliminates the need to flip it then you're saving even more time.

I have seen a few setups on YouTube where the user has made discs out of MDF. Cut them out on the bandsaw and used an existing disc with a router and flush trim bit to make it the right size. Could be a lower cost alternative than the glass discs.
 
#3 ·
I don t believe in such a thing as expensive laziness. I m in the market for a WS3000 myself and the extra discs is something I ve added to my budget. To me the purpose of the tool is to speed up time sharpening. If an extra disc eliminates the need to flip it then you re saving even more time.
That was exactly my thought process. I'm just known for going overboard with things so I needed a voice of reason haha.

I have seen a few setups on YouTube where the user has made discs out of MDF. Cut them out on the bandsaw and used an existing disc with a router and flush trim bit to make it the right size. Could be a lower cost alternative than the glass discs.

- sansoo22
That's a great idea and gives me a reason to pull the trigger on a router sooner rather than later.
 
#4 ·
I have every sharpening system known; stones, Tormek, etc. The great thing about the Worksharp is how easy it is to go touch up a blade and get back to work. No messing with water or setting up something. I keep it bolted down to a table and use it often.

The honing plate is a good option to keep things ready to use. As far as discontinued accessories, you're out of luck. I've seen the wide blade attachment get bid up to over $300 on eBay. I found one in Indonesia for cheap, but it was a scam. I got my money back through PayPal.

I buy my discs from through Klingspor. Much cheaper than WS brand.
 
#5 ·
I own a WS3000 and use it pretty regularly.

It is somewhat tedious to repair or change the bevel using the sandpaper. It can be done, it's faster than sandpaper on a flat surface, but still tedious.

I made my own strop by glueing some leather to a piece of wood. It is NOT a disk for the WS3000.

Woodturnerswonders.com has 3 double sided CBN disks for the WS3000. I don't own any of them….YET! I bet they would make short work of regrinding/repairing a bevel and flattening backs.

There are also some diamond disks made by DMT for the WS3000. Don't have those either just know they exist.

I have also seen where people have used diamond disks used to grind and polish gems on the WS3000. These disks are thin and need the glass disk (or MDF?) as a backer. I have a couple of these and use them when I remember I have them. They work pretty good.

TonyC
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
The honing plate is a good option to keep things ready to use. As far as discontinued accessories, you re out of luck. I ve seen the wide blade attachment get bid up to over $300 on eBay. I found one in Indonesia for cheap, but it was a scam. I got my money back through PayPal.

I buy my discs from through Klingspor. Much cheaper than WS brand.

- Rich
Looks like I'll have to figure out a jig when it comes to wide blades down the road. For now all my iron will fit the WS.

Also thanks for the disc reference. I'll definitely grab a pack.

I made my own strop by glueing some leather to a piece of wood. It is NOT a disk for the WS3000.

Woodturnerswonders.com has 3 double sided CBN disks for the WS3000. I don t own any of them….YET! I bet they would make short work of regrinding/repairing a bevel and flattening backs.

There are also some diamond disks made by DMT for the WS3000. Don t have those either just know they exist.

I have also seen where people have used diamond disks used to grind and polish gems on the WS3000. These disks are thin and need the glass disk (or MDF?) as a backer. I have a couple of these and use them when I remember I have them. They work pretty good.

TonyC

- jacww
Since I'll most likely make a few MDF discs I'll throw some leather on one like you did.

I'll definitely check the Wood Turner and DMT discs out. I have a feeling I'm going to end up with quite a few to start to see what works best for me.
 
#7 · (Edited by Moderator)
Looks like I ll have to figure out a jig when it comes to wide blades down the road. For now all my iron will fit the WS.

Also thanks for the disc reference. I ll definitely grab a pack.

- OsirisProtocol
One of our own LJs posted about one. It was designed by another LJ, so there are probably links there too. I'm just tossing out the first one I found.

https://www.lumberjocks.com/projects/65843
 
#10 ·
Looks like I'll be picking up an MDF sheet and making a bunch of my own discs. Definitely looks like it will save some cash and I can have a disc for each grit I use and a few strop discs.

As for the consumables themselves I'm going to order a set from Klingspor when I get the WS. That way I can have a batch of backups on hand while I put aside the money for the CBN three set. Still on the fence with the DMT sets because the grit selection is minimal.

I'm still going to look into getting some finer grit diamond lap though for fine sharpening.

The stands and jig look awesome. Definitely going to spend some time looking at the design so I can figure out what I need for my own.
 
#12 ·
I've had the worksharp from the beginning. They offered them for $69 as a new device incentive. I've purchased just one other set of the sandpaper disks for it over the years. It's been great to bring an old chisel to sharpness and best for just touching them up to bring them back to razor status. It's easy to use and the materials for it are not really an issue. The wider blades like plane blades will need the plane blade carriage as it won't fit in the chisel slot on the machine.
 
#14 ·
I have had the 3000 since they were first available. Go to stubbynubs.com and buy his plan for making the 3000 even more versatile. You will then be able to sharpen wide blades, knife's, and other tools. I would post a picture but mine is in storage due to an upcoming move. The plan cost $5 and is worth way more than that. I also use MDF plates which allows you unlimited options including using honing paste instead of expensive sand paper. http://www.stumpynubs.com/worksharp-3000.html
Good luck, it is a great machine.
 
#15 · (Edited by Moderator)
Maybe someone should tell the WorkSharp crew this bit of info. Last time I talked to them they said the wide blade attachment didn t sell enough units to warrant continued production.

- sansoo22
Let's start a flooding them with email requests. 

I ve had the worksharp from the beginning. They offered them for $69 as a new device incentive. I ve purchased just one other set of the sandpaper disks for it over the years. It s been great to bring an old chisel to sharpness and best for just touching them up to bring them back to razor status. It s easy to use and the materials for it are not really an issue. The wider blades like plane blades will need the plane blade carriage as it won t fit in the chisel slot on the machine.

- Craftsman on the lake
Wish I grabbed one back then for that price. Still worth the investment though in my book.

This is what I did with mine. Works real well.
Wood Audio equipment Electronic instrument Hardwood Machine


Wood Hardwood Wood stain Wooden block Varnish


- jbmaine
Definitely stealing your disc storage idea. I like the security of it.

I have had the 3000 since they were first available. Go to stubbynubs.com and buy his plan for making the 3000 even more versatile. You will then be able to sharpen wide blades, knife s, and other tools. I would post a picture but mine is in storage due to an upcoming move. The plan cost $5 and is worth way more than that. I also use MDF plates which allows you unlimited options including using honing paste instead of expensive sand paper. http://www.stumpynubs.com/worksharp-3000.html
Good luck, it is a great machine.

- gmc
I'll definitely grab Stumpy's plans. Planning to order my system this weekend so I'll get everything then.
 

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#16 ·
Maybe someone should tell the WorkSharp crew this bit of info. Last time I talked to them they said the wide blade attachment didn t sell enough units to warrant continued production.

- sansoo22

Let s start a flooding them with email requests.

- OsirisProtocol
I'm sure their decision was based on sales and market analysis. The fact that a handful of people have more money than sense and are willing to pay a stupid price for one on eBay doesn't mean they will sell enough of them at retail to make it profitable.
 
#18 ·
I bought diamond lap plates off eBay in 100/400/800/1000 grits. I've had to replace the 100 after 7 years, since I use it for restoring/creating the initial bevel and flattening the back, i.e. removing the bulk of material. The rest are going strong. I absolutely recommend them over sandpaper. After 1000 grit I free hand on a diamond stone for the highest grits, or just go to the leather honing wheel depending.

The leather honing wheel is left on it most of the time for touching up chisels and plane blades.
 
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