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Sharpening with Doug Thompson

Thanks, I found his presentation to be very informative as well as entertaining. It is interesting that he beats up his wheels so that they will bounce because a bouncing wheel cuts faster.
 
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Bill,

For those who haven't seen the video, the bouncing surface method is only used for quicker cutting on the specific type of 46 grit wheel he uses for rough shaping.
 
Informative
The only point I was disagree with is his comments on CBN vrs friable wheels,

Doug stated that his K course wheel cost him $50/each and last 500 tools, while the CBN costs near two hundred.

I know a CBN lasts more then say 2000 tools, probably closer to 10,000 tools

That means while the CBN costs more "up front", it's life-time cost is lower
 
n7bsn said:
Informative
The only point I was disagree with is his comments on CBN vrs friable wheels,

Doug stated that his K course wheel cost him $50/each and last 500 tools, while the CBN costs near two hundred.

I know a CBN lasts more then say 2000 tools, probably closer to 10,000 tools

That means while the CBN costs more "up front", it's life-time cost is lower
Click to expand...

Doug Thompson is no longer the "average guy" when it comes to sharpening. What is good for him is sharpening lots of tools and doing it fast. And, it is more than sharpening them in the sense that most of us view the process -- he starts with a completely blunt piece of steel with no cutting edge whatsoever. My very limited experience with CBN wheels is that they are better suited for sharpening than they are for fast heavy shaping.

CBN might be cost effective for most of us, but that doesn't necessarily imply that it is more cost effective for what he does. In his situation, there is more to consider than just the wheels. Time is a much bigger factor when it comes to cost. Can he shape and sharpen a tool as fast using a CBN wheel and would a CBN wheel hold up under that type of use? The CBN abrasive is tough, but how about the material that bonds them to the steel wheels?
 
Well, if there was a 40 grit CBN wheel, then maybe. The current ones can go minimal shaping, but not serious shaping.

robo hippy
 
just a tad late!

Just got through watching the Doug Thompson video and was gonna post the link if somebody hadn't recently. Very good talk concerning the effect of the flute on grind or what grind is possible with which flute, however you want to look at it. Spends time explaining steels, shaping, and sharpening, an excellent primer. Probably should post this on the beginner forum too.

He had a handy little rest that quickly adjusts to fixed angles. Was gonna buy one awhile back and got side tracked. Can't remember who makes it now. I'm sure somebody can help me out! 😀

Hu
 
informative video on all aspects of shaping and sharpening tools.

Just a pity safety was not pushed a bit more , loose shirt and microphone wires getting close to catching and resting on the top of a bench grinder with a spinning wheel is not a good look.

Does not matter how many chisels or tools you have done but in an environment where you are supposed to be showing how things are done properly it was not a good look.
 
Didn't notice but an issue common as dirt unfortunately.

Jim Carroll said:
informative video on all aspects of shaping and sharpening tools.

Just a pity safety was not pushed a bit more , loose shirt and microphone wires getting close to catching and resting on the top of a bench grinder with a spinning wheel is not a good look.

Does not matter how many chisels or tools you have done but in an environment where you are supposed to be showing how things are done properly it was not a good look.
Click to expand...


I noticed a couple of other things I didn't care for. Unfortunately the people making video's are skilled at what they do, not making video's. They often compromise their usual standards in order to make a better video. People giving demonstrations are very often guilty of the same thing. I had to laugh at a very skilled turner that was giving a demonstration while allowing himself to be recorded. Roughing the wood which was a nice round solid blank he was only using glasses and talking while turning. A mouthful of shavings was an unwelcome surprise! Never happen in his shop I'm sure because he would have a face shield on and his mouth shut, probably also not be standing to face an audience instead of out of the line of fire.

I don't condone the compromises of safety by seemingly the vast majority of the demonstrators and people making videos but at this point I have learned that if I want to learn from them I have to take the good and leave the bad behind. Unfortunately many viewers don't have a lifetime of shop safety behind them and know some things are unacceptable on a daily basis that might be an acceptable risk when someone is aware of the danger and only working that way for a few minutes. They can exercise heightened caution for that short time and work safely. It is usually a combination of repeated bad practices and bad choices that gets a person in trouble.

There is some effort being made right now to focus on increasing safety in presentations. I hope that is successful because while I am sure the videos help dozens or hundreds of people I am also sure they get a few people in trouble. Doug's video was one of the safer ones I have watched.

Hu
 
Hu,
A mouth full of shavings is much worse if you are chewing gum at the same time. Been there, done that, more than once.

robo hippy
 
gotta remember that!

robo hippy said:
Hu,
A mouth full of shavings is much worse if you are chewing gum at the same time. Been there, done that, more than once.

robo hippy
Click to expand...


Gotta remember that, I often chew gum working rather than stopping to eat or drink. I don't mind the shavings too much, it's when those juicy things fly . . . .

Hu
 
Doug's a great guy and has terrific tools. Almost the only tools I use. If I were him, I wouldn't like CBN wheels either, but for the reasons mentioned above, they're great for regular sharpening. Thanks for posting this Robo! Might have to get me one of your very nice grinding platforms! 🙂
Don L.
 
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