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Honing guides....any suggestions?

1K views 10 replies 11 participants last post by  newwoodbutcher 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
It's time I invested in a honing guide setup. I want it for chisels, but more importantly my new Lie Nielson planes. Options seem a bit limited with the Veritas and Lie Neilson. Seems like I've been spending a lot of money lately on this hobby. Does anyone have recommendations on which honing guide to buy or is there a real inexpensive option that works well?
 
#3 ·
The Eclipse can work really well, and can be fine tuned if you want to get fussy. I've lately been doing a lot of freehand sharpening. That's what they teach / espouse at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship…and with a little practice, it works well, with no setup time.
 
#5 ·
Anything Deneb offers is golden. His videos are the best.

You can get by with a simple guide, but you need a way to set the angle. Deneb's board is all you need.

If you want to spend a few dollars, the Veritas kits are excellent. Their Deluxe Honing Guide is what I use.
 
#6 ·
I have spent a fortune on guides, machines etc. Modified an Eclipse, several DIY. Was never happy. I just bought the Veritas MK II set. I am happy. Yes, I can do it all by hand, but it takes more time and patience. I do keep my strop hanging on the bench leg so I can grab it and tune a chisel as I work. I strop by hand. Only takes 3 or 4 strokes.

So, for my overall system:
I am making my own guide bar for my grinder and will use a 180 and 600 CBN wheels for primary and for turning tools. I have the Wolverine jig for the turning tools which is excellent. Went with a set from extra course to extra extra fine DMT 8 inch plates. Then a bit of MDF with stropping compound. I still have some waterstone slips for the insides of carving chisels. I have a stick of oak with a bolt in it I can use as the jig for my scrub plane. I have some chisels that are tapered, so just making a "setup wedge" to get them strait in the guide. I may buy the Veritas skew jig for the MK II, but may must make a DIY for it.

Selling M-Power, Makita wet wheel, WorkSharp, Tormak clone, all worked but not to my satisfaction. The M-power does help a beginner get the angles right.
Never went Sharpton stones as happy with diamond to strop
Sold all my ceramic stones keeping just an old Ark. black for knives.
Buffers, leather, and even cardboard strops I did not like as they rounded the back edge too much.

Lie Neilson makes a updated version of the Eclipse with precision and different jaws, but priced accordingly.

OK, 50 years worth of fiddling. I got my system down
 
#9 ·
I "evolved" through the tools, beginning with cheap (by hand), bought the Eclipse style (big improvement), modified it (better), and now have the MKII.

All methods work, but each has its inherent difficulties. If you like to make your own setup gadgets and assemble the bits and pieces, the Eclipse style is adequate (check to see that it can handle the width of your place blades).

Being generally lazy, I find the MKII is quick and accurate, but at a premium price. Stones/surfaces are the other side of the sharpening equation. I did great for years with silicon carbide paper up to 2000 grit on a granite surface plate. I've since added some Sharpton stones and have an assortment of diamond laps. I still use them all.
 
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