Wendy R Arthurs asked:




Sharpening carving tools is an essential step in carving. A sharp carving tool works better because it slices through the wood easier, making it safer and quicker to use. It, also, leaves a cleaner path behind. A good sharp edge means less effort, which means less force. When less force is needed, more control is possible, making the work safer.

There are many methods of sharpening carving tools from power grinders to wetstones to sandpaper and finally the strop. The most inexpensive method is using a couple of grades of sandpaper and a strop.

How much sharpening is needed depends on how damaged the edge of the blade is. If damaged or dull, you will need to use a 400 grit sandpaper laid on a flat surface such as the edge of the table. Place the blade edge down and drag it across the wet surface of the paper at an eleven degree angle. One way of finding an approximate eleven degree angle is to use either a nickel or a dime beneath the spine of the blade.

If your carving blade is three quarters of and inch in width or more, lay your blade flat on the sharpening surface and raise the spine of the blade until you can fit the edge of a nickel under it. If it is less than three quarters of an inch, use a dime.

Drag the edge along the wet sandpaper surface until all the nicks are gone and you have a smooth edge. Then do the same thing using a 600 grit wet sandpaper.

Finish by loading your leather (strop) up with your white aluminum oxide to the point that it won’t absorb any more compound. You can use some light oil to help create a paste-like consistency. Make sure you wipe your blade clean of any sandpaper residue with a cloth. You don’t want to get any grit on your strop. Then drag your knife edge along the strop at the same 11 degree angle, and continue equally on both sides, sharpening until you get a mirrored edge.

You can test the sharp edge by taking your knife and carving across the end grain of a piece of carving wood. You should see a smooth shiny surface and the end grain clearly. If you see a white line in your slice, you have a nick in your edge. You need to go back and start the process over. Once you have the edge you like on your knife, all you should have to do is strop about every fifteen minutes and protect your edge when you’re not using your knife.

Robert J. Carlton asked:




People that have personal workshops know that they must have the proper wood working tools and machinery. Do-It-Yourselfer’s and professionals need to stay on top of their woodwork and carpentry supplies. Having the proper tools can make completing jobs much easier. Not to mention, having the right tools will make the job more enjoyable to complete. Lack of tools and equipment is one of the main reasons why people abandon woodworking. Be prepared for the projects by having the right tools for the job.

The quality and variety of tools that can be purchased has greatly improved over the years. As technology advances, tools become much more accessible to the general public. Tools are no longer just for professionals. The average person can find tools that will allow them to confidently build things. Build your workshop from the various tools that are available. Choose tools from great manufacturers like Rockwell, Sears, Rigid and Hitachi. Professionals and amateurs will enjoy woodworking with tools selections from these excellent manufacturers.

There are many different places that you can find modestly priced tools. In the past finding the lowest prices on the best tools was a challenge. Local stores often would charge more because they were the only option for buyers. Also, stores were pretty far from one another. The choices were extremely limited to the selection that one store had in stock. This made it difficult to get the best price and the best product. This was a problem in the past but no more. Now there are plenty of great places to pick up low priced, high quality tools.

One of the places that tools can be found is at tools shows. Woodworking shows are decent places to find tools but even then the selection is limited. These factors were a roadblock in the past. This is no longer the case.

Get the most for your money by purchasing tools on the Internet. Stock up your workshop by shopping online and save money. Find the right equipment online for the projects you have planned. Imagine the home improvements you can make with a fully stocked workshop. Think of the creations you can come up with.

The Internet is the ideal place to seek out stellar deals on tools for the workshop. There are unbelievable deals that can be found from the best names in the business. Search for manufacturers that have earned fabulous reputations throughout the years. Compare prices and pay for your purchase in a safe and secure environment. Enjoy the ease of your tools being delivered to your home in a matter of days. Never step in overpriced hardware stores again. Buy your woodworking tools online and be amazed at the amount of money you can save.