Sharpening Handbook

Scraper

Edge angles

The Scraper's cutting edge is formed by one step on the grinder. The grinding action forms the hook.

Someday you will look back at this work, laugh nervously and change the subject.

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General Guidelines
75°	40°	Some recommend the use of a belt sander (i.e., one which is bolted to the bench, not a hand-held one). I've used that and the Tormek with the Tormek SVD-110 Tool Rest. Both work, but the Tormek grinds away less metal, so that is what I prefer. If you chose to grind a different angle, then use the following guidance when using the Tormek SVD-110 Tool Rest: When grinding angles >60°, grind in the horizontal position. When grinding angles <60°, grind in the vertical position.

General Guidelines

Relief

Comments

75°

40°

Some recommend the use of a belt sander (i.e., one which is bolted to the bench, not a hand-held one). I've used that and the Tormek with the Tormek SVD-110 Tool Rest. Both work, but the Tormek grinds away less metal, so that is what I prefer.

If you chose to grind a different angle, then use the following guidance when using the Tormek SVD-110 Tool Rest:

When grinding angles >60°, grind in the horizontal position.
When grinding angles <60°, grind in the vertical position.

Notes & Comments

Information regarding Grindstones

Other Opinions

Alan Batty recommended 70° with the under side ground back at 40° (a relief grind). (I and many others recommend you re-grind the tool to be a negative rake scraper.)

Marty Kiminsky noted that 70-80° is generally recommended for this tool. (He did not note a personal preference though.) See also, "Woodturning" magazine, issue # 352.

High Speed Grinders

If grinding this on a high speed grinder or sander, be sure to manage the temperature so that the temper is not lost due to overheating.

High Carbon Steel

Temperature control is critical for high carbon steel. Tempering will be lost in the steel if heated until it is blue (~550°F / 300°C). Cool by dipping as needed in water.

High Speed Steel

Cool by dipping as needed in water.

Steel with Carbide Insert

DO NOT cool by dipping in water. This will cause the carbide to crack due to shocks.

It is also recommended to use a high grit wheel for sharpening carbide as lower grits can cause cracks in the edge leading to it being far more crack-ridden and brittle. (Lower grits can be used for shaping the edge -- see also, Grindstones and Other Sharpening Media - Quick Selection Guide.)

More Information

Books & Papers

Some information presented is from the Tormek handbook, "Water Cooled Sharpening of Edge Tools".

Videos & Presentations

Tormek Sharpening Classes: Part 5 - Woodturning Tools (YouTube video). Want to learn how you get your woodturning tools razor-sharp? In this week's sharpening class we take a closer look at the tools for the woodturner; Gouges, skews, parting tools, scrapers, cutters and more. Sebastien and Wolfgang will show you the methods for sharpening all these turning tools and how you achieve repeatable edges every time. Stay tuned and hit us with your questions during the stream.

Tormek Sharpening Classes: Part 23 - Reshaping woodturning tools on a bench grinder (YouTube video). In this episode of the Tormek sharpening classes we explain how you can quickly and with full control, re-profile your turning tools on your bench grinder. The BGM-100 Bench Grinder Mounting Kit allows you to use the same jig settings as on your water-cooled Tormek sharpening system. It is therefore easy to do the rough shaping on the bench grinder and then continue to sharpen and maintain the edge of your Tormek machine.

How to sharpen scrapers and cutters - Tormek SVD-110 Tool Rest - with Nick Agar (YouTube video). In this episode, Nick Agar shows how to sharpen a woodturning scraper creating a large burr and a small burr depending on the material you're working in. He uses the Tormek SVD-110 Tool Rest and the DF-250 Diamond Wheel Fine. In addition, Nick demonstrates how to sharpen small hollowing cutters and ordinary cutters using SVD-110 and SVD-186.

Tormek Tool Rest SVD-110 (YouTube video)

Tormek Turning Tool Setter TTS-100 (YouTube video)

Tormek AngleMaster WM-200 (YouTube video)