Up until now I have been attempting to sharpen spindle gouges etc. by hand, but find it extremely difficult to consistently maintain the "finger nail" profile of these gouges.
Several sharpening jigs are available commercially for use on grinders.
Advice / recommendations regarding grinders (stone grit etc.) and jigs that are most suitable for this purpose would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Eden

I freehand it, so I can not give jig advice....but I did just see a couple of neat devices at the Penn State sight, here is the link.
[www.pennstateind.com]

Eden,

I use the Wolverine vari-grind jig to grind to produce the fingernail. I also use the vari-grind jig to maintain the angle to put a final edge on the gouge with sandpaper mounted to a piece of glass or to freshen an edge that doesn’t need grinding. That’s just my method and I’m sure there are better.

If cost is no object, the Tormek is your tool. It's a round wheel, so you get a hollow grind, if that's okay. It's a heck of a tool.

Or you can use any of the various other wet type wheel grinders. I have a delta that's pretty good.

Or, fall back on the old sanding paper on a wheel disc chucked into your lathe. It works pretty well, but won't put a really clean edge on the tools. Thus you have to sharpen more often.

Sharpening tools is an art. Learn how to do it and you'll amazed at how much easier turning becomes. Nothing worse than a dull or at best, semi-sharp turning tool.
.......

I have the Wolverine vari grind and a wheel I screw to the head of the lathe. I use 80 grit and 120 grit self sticking sandpaper discs on that wheel and it does pretty good. I seem to do better with the wheel then the Wolverine, but that's just my fault. The Wolverine is manufactured by Oneway and they recommend 54 grit and 80 grit wheels.

After I use either of the above methods, I make several passes on a DMT fine diamond stone (not really a stone).

The lathe wheel I have came from Penn State Industries and is a piece of six inch round plastic with a hole to fit my lathe without the check. A not to fit the head stock hold it on the lathe. You just stick the sandpaper on and move your tool rest to get the proper angle. Simple but it works pretty good.

Larry Tysinger

My method is similar to what Larry described, but as Tom said I do need to sharpen more often.

I've seen the tool Tom talks of and I would love to have one. I've never really looked at others, but I may have to investigate the Delta.

Eden,
Do yourself a favor and buy the video "Bowl Turning with Del Stubbs" It contains an excellent section on sharpening free hand, probably the best I have ever seen.

Andy Dear
Lamar Reel Seats

Many thanks to all for the most helpful suggestions / recommendations.
I will have to look into this some more.
As Tom says, there is nothing worse than using dull lathe tools or using those with an incorrectly ground bevel edge!
Eden

It's called a sharpening slip and years of practice. Sharpening tools is an art form unto itself.

Like everything else I use a dremel tool. Gets the job done and I didnt have to buy a expesive grinder. Bonus

Eden, I found that Harbor Freight has a wet grinding wheel grinder that runs slowly, and a high speed wheel on the other side. I believe I got it for around $50. It in conjunction with one of the jigs mentioned above should get you where you want to be.

If you can weld, you might take a look at the jigs, and build your own for less money, but will spend some time doing it.

Bob

I've been playing with my lathe for about a year now and it I'm still not great at sharpening. But evrery now and then I get it right and man there is nothing like a REALY sharp tool.

Would there be a problem using a Tormek grinder for preparing guide feet?