Choosing the right plane blade sharpener depends on experience and the type of plane. Sharpening can be done manually, with an automatic grinder or honing stone. Consider the type of blade before purchasing a sharpener, as some are disposable. Professional sharpening may be necessary for beginners.
Choosing the best type of plane blade sharpener can depend on your level of experience and the type of plane you own. Sharpening can be done manually or with an automatic grinding wheel, and intermediate sharpening can also be done with a stone. The best fit for you will depend on your skill level, because properly sharpening a plane blade can require a great deal of knowledge and skills. Sharpening is a simpler procedure that can often extend the time between visits to a professional plane knife sharpener or allow you to put off buying your own device. The type of plane you have also needs to be taken into consideration, as some newer machines use blades that are considered disposable because you can’t resharpen them.
When looking for a plane knife sharpener, you should first consider your level of experience. If you have no previous experience with sharpening, it may be wise to retain the services of a professional. This can be expensive, especially if you use your plane regularly, so you may want to get the necessary skills and equipment to do the job yourself. It is possible to manually sharpen most types of blades by passing them over an abrasive surface with the correct motions, although this is not a common way to sharpen planer blades.
Many people use a regular grinder as a plane blade sharpener, which can be made with a specialized jig. If you own a grinder that you use to sharpen other items, you may already have a good plane knife sharpener at your disposal. Many manufacturers of these devices offer jigs designed specifically for sharpening planer blades, but in some cases, you may need to have a custom jig. If you don’t already own a grinder, you should choose one that comes with a jig or at least has one available.
Another viable option is honing, which is a process that involves passing a special stone over the blade. The actual cutting edge of any blade is actually composed of small jagged teeth that bend over from repeated use. These teeth can be straightened with the proper application of a honing stone, which can effectively sharpen a dull blade without actually grinding a new cutting edge.
Before looking for a planer sharpener, it is also important to make sure that the blades can actually be sharpened. Some planes use cheap, disposable blades, in which case you should simply buy new blades instead of trying to sharpen the old ones. In some cases, these blades are too thin to accept a new cutting edge, although the type of metal they are made from could also be a problem.
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