Sharpening Gravers for WW Lathe Work

[jriser]

Although a power hone is not required for sharpening gravers for lathe work, it certainly speeds up the process and improves accuracy of the grinding.  I put this pdf together for those who have not tried a power hone:  http://jamesriser.com/Machinery/SharpeningGraversForLatheWork.pdf

Jim

[clockboy]

Where did you purchase the graver holders. I used to use your method using a crocker (see below) but by hand. However I now sharpen and polish by hand without the aid of the crocker.

[jriser]

clockboy, I purchased the aluminum handles from a local jewelry worker tool supply shop here in Tucson.  I originally bought the power hone, fixture, etc. for doing metal engraving where the angles are critical or else the graver tends to cut a curved line.  Since the equipment is handy and so fast, I also use it for sharpening gravers for the lathe.  Yes, lathe gravers can rather quickly be sharpened entirely freehand with no problems.   I still have my old Crocker holder and stones in a drawer.  If I want curved edges on my gravers, by freehand sharpening is the only way to go.

Jim

[measuretwice]

for carbide (highly preferred for blue temper steel work) I use a power lap of my own creation embedded with 10 micro diamond past,  Remember to do the two sides is as well  -an edge is where two planes meet, the close both those are to perfectly flat and smooth the better the edge you get.  I usually lap the sides to a mirror when its carbide blank then re-sharpen by just working the end on the rotary lap