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O'Donnell Grinding Stand

W

Wayne Spence

Joined
Jun 13, 2009
Messages
217
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Location
Denver, Colorado
In his video on turning green wood M. O'Donnell used an adjustable grinding stand with his name on it. Does anyone know if it is still available and where. I thought it looked very useable and sensible. It is more of an adjustable gouge platform than a jig.
 
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The O'Donnell grinder tool rest has been discontinued. Here is the info from The Tool Post in the UK.

http://www.toolpost.co.uk/pages/Gri...inder_Systems/high_speed_grinder_systems.html

Quoted from the link
Unfortunately, due to a production hiatus, the O'Donnell Grinder Jigs are no longer available. It is now considered unlikely that the jigs will be available again at a later date for manufacturing cost reasons.
 
This O'Donnell jig looks interesting, and my first thought was: "I gotta get me one of those!"

On second thought, it sure seems like the ability to raise and lower the platform might be redundant.....because, in reality, isn't this the same sort of change that the tilting platform does?

It seems like there might be some slight variation, but I'm having a hard time visualizing anything significant enough to warrant my getting one of these jigs.....or, making one of my own.

What say you?????

ooc
 
Elevating platform tool rest

Dear Fellow woodturners:

I make an aftermarket system that supports the Wolverine 3" X 5" platform tool rest that adjusts vertically and horizontally. It has about a 7" vertical travel. You can re-use the Wolverine platform and adjustment handle with the system. It's not yet published on my web site but I'll post a photo of it later.

Don Geiger
www.geigerssolutions.com
 
RussFairfield said:
The O'Donnell grinder tool rest has been discontinued. Here is the info from The Tool Post in the UK.

http://www.toolpost.co.uk/pages/Gri...inder_Systems/high_speed_grinder_systems.html
Click to expand...

Looks a lot like the one Lee valley makes. I use it for my flat irons, because it has a good jig to ride the groove. http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=2&p=45938&cat=1,43072

The reason vertical adjustment comes in handy is that you don't need to fight gravity by tilting the handle down if you can elevate.
 
I have the Lee Valley jig. I like the Wolverine better. You can get flex in the Lee Valley jig. I'd like to see the Geiger. There are rare occasions when I want to move the Wolverine up or down to make a grinding task easier.
 
Don Geiger said:
Dear Fellow woodturners:

I make an aftermarket system that supports the Wolverine 3" X 5" platform tool rest that adjusts vertically and horizontally. It has about a 7" vertical travel. You can re-use the Wolverine platform and adjustment handle with the system. It's not yet published on my web site but I'll post a photo of it later.

Don Geiger
www.geigerssolutions.com
Click to expand...



Please do Don, Im one that would be interested.
 
Don Geiger

Would your system be useable with any similar platform?

Are there any reviews in the literature?

Odie-the feature I like about the O'Donnell jig is that the vertical adjustment is marked for angles. I realize that similar marks could be made on the Lee Valley one with a small amount of measuring and work.
 
Wayne, I have owned the Vertical Solution for a few years now and would not be without it. For me the main advantage is when visiting turning schools or other turners shops, if they have a wolverine system on any 8 inch grinder(my grinder is an 8), I can set up the Vertical Solution on their system to sharpen my gouges (bowl and spindle) with no change in profile, meaning, if I were to ink the bevel, all the ink would be gone in one swipe after setup. In my shop the advantage is the ability to adjust for wheel wear. The Vertical Solution that I have replaces the V arm, I do not have the one for the platform but I can see its advantages.
I know people sharpen freehand; I’m just not one of them. The other thing I would not want to be without is Dons wheel truing solution, a round wheel is a wonderful thing. It’s like anything else; once you find a system that works you stick with it. Disclaimers and all that, I think it’s a good system.

Clifton
 
Geiger's Vertically Adjustable tool rest support

Here is a photo of my Verticallly Adjustable platform rest support. NOTE: It does not come with the 3" X 5" platform or the adjustable handle. It is designed for you to re-use the one that was supplied with your Wolverine.

The vertical reciever is angled toward the grinder at 10 degrees so it will reach around the wheel guard of the grinder. There is about 7" of vertical adjustment.

The system fits into a Wolverine or other similar receivers, has three set screws (one for vertical alignment and two for securing the position). The reciever, the platform mounting bolt (SS) and the three nuts for the set screws are beautifully TIG welded and everything has a durable hot black oxide finish just like I use on the Vertical Solution gouge sharpening system. The price is $59.95 + $10 shipping.

Don Geiger
 

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Wayne Spence said:
Would your system be useable with any similar platform?

Are there any reviews in the literature?

Odie-the feature I like about the O'Donnell jig is that the vertical adjustment is marked for angles. I realize that similar marks could be made on the Lee Valley one with a small amount of measuring and work.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Wayne......

For those of you who are relying on marks to return the jig to a specific angle, you are aware, of course, that as the wheel wears down, the angle will not remain a constant......right?

For those tools that you use extensively, it might not be readily apparent that the angle has changed, but for tools that are used very infrequently, you may be wondering why the setting no longer matches the angle that was previously obtained with that setting..........(wheel diameter is the reason) 😉

ooc
 
Adjustment

Ah Odie,

Right you are. The jig compensates for wear by using a gauge to set the plate off the face of the stone. In order to do that you must adjust the horizonal bar to be closer to the wheel

A
 
Don:

Curious to know if you'll be in Hartford in June?? Hope to see you there!

I like the idea of vertical adjustability with this new accessory!

Rob
 
Angelo said:
Ah Odie,

Right you are. The jig compensates for wear by using a gauge to set the plate off the face of the stone. In order to do that you must adjust the horizonal bar to be closer to the wheel

A
Click to expand...

Hello Angelo.......

OK, I'll take your word for it.

I've been using a standard Wolverine jig since sometime in the early 90's, and I've become accustomed to using it to cover all my needs. I suppose if I were aware of a particular need that wasn't being satisfied with the standard Wolverine, I might show some interest.

Surely there will be a few who can sympathize with my thoughts on this: There are just too many specialized lathe tools, and my budget is too small...... and that means I just can't be purchasing every new product that comes along. Some of them work as advertised, but I'd say most of them don't......otherwise they would remain popular. I've spent a lot of time and money on these failed experiments touted as the "latest and greatest thing since sliced bread".......only, in the end, I've inevitably come to the conclusion that I've wasted my time and money. Most of these expensive tests give me more faith in the more traditional lathe turning methods, which work as well, or better for my own purposes. This statement isn't universal, of course......there are those on this forum who remember times where I have been a "nay sayer"......only to change my mind, pull out my wallet........and become "enlightened"!

As I mentioned in my original post here......I'm having a difficult time imagining any angle the O'Donnell jig is capable of, that the standard Wolverine jig, with it's tilting rest, can't duplicate. It might not be at the same height in relation to the centerline of the wheel, but it sure seems like it will be identical.

If there really was a difference, and I could apply that knoweledge to some self perceived theoretical need.......I'd probably go ahead and buy the O'Donnell jig! 😀

This, IN NO WAY, is to suggest that my needs should be, or are the same as all other turners.

.....a few?

Well, Maybe! Heh,heh,heh! 😉

ooc
 
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