The Forestry Forum

General Forestry => Drying and Processing => Topic started by: Percy on May 09, 2021, 02:27:45 PM

Title: Planer knife sharpener.....
Post by: Percy on May 09, 2021, 02:27:45 PM
I have a Woodmizer MP360. It works well. I also have a Tormek T8 Sharpener for the blades/knives. The Tormek is wonderful on the side knives but sharpening a planer blade(top and bottom) on it is like standing on a beach ball. You can do it but its really hard. I would buy a Tormek again for side profile knives but I need somthing better ie quicker for strait planer knives. Anyone using something other than the Tormek that they like?
Title: Re: Planer knife sharpener.....
Post by: doc henderson on May 09, 2021, 03:08:12 PM
I have a grizzly and it is a clunky POC.  but it works.  heavy.  not refined, just have to hold your mouth just right!
Title: Re: Planer knife sharpener.....
Post by: Percy on May 09, 2021, 03:30:34 PM
Quote from: doc henderson on May 09, 2021, 03:08:12 PM
I have a grizzly and it is a clunky POC.  but it works.  heavy.  not refined, just have to hold your mouth just right!
Hahahah...Is it quick? 
Title: Re: Planer knife sharpener.....
Post by: mike_belben on May 09, 2021, 03:52:24 PM
either build a jig to do it on a beltsander or bench grinder.  or if youve got a lathe you can mount a stone in the chuck on an arbor with a live center for support at the other end, and mount the knife on the cross slide then auto feed the carriage down the stone. i have a friend who does his chipper knives that way so they have a cup edge.


linear bearings and ground shaft stock are your friend if you want to make a carriage to slide them back and forth by hand.  
Title: Re: Planer knife sharpener.....
Post by: doc henderson on May 09, 2021, 04:05:48 PM
I can do 4  20 inch knives in about 30 minutes.  it takes longer to remove and re install than to sharpen.  you really do not have to adjust.  it matters if you push harder or less, as the holding slide can rock a bit.  looking at remaking it to make it stouter.  I do fine after a little learning curve.  do not have other good options.
Title: Re: Planer knife sharpener.....
Post by: Southside on May 09, 2021, 06:37:47 PM
Which wheel are you using Percy?
Title: Re: Planer knife sharpener.....
Post by: Percy on May 09, 2021, 07:11:41 PM
Quote from: Southside on May 09, 2021, 06:37:47 PM
Which wheel are you using Percy?
The coarse diamond one. Still takes forever when you have the tinyest of nics 
Title: Re: Planer knife sharpener.....
Post by: Larry on May 09, 2021, 09:25:06 PM
This is the best way I've found to sharpen blades at home.  I bought a old Craftsman 8" bench top table saw at a garage sale.  I reversed the motor so it ran backwards than put a 8" or maybe a 6" white grinding wheel on the arbor.  Rigged up a fence so I could slide the blade left to right/right to left across the wheel.  It was dedicated to sharpening blades.  I could even use it to put a micro bevel on the blade.

I gave the machine away years ago because everything has carbide inserts except for the jointer.  It has a Tersa head which are throw away blades.

Title: Re: Planer knife sharpener.....
Post by: barbender on May 09, 2021, 11:03:12 PM
I have a Grizzly, too. I haven't used it in years, just haven't had to sharpen any knives. I remember it being easy to burn or round off the outside edges and that it is sensitive to how you are feeding it. If you lean on it wrong it comes out in the blade. But if you have a steady hand it will true up nicked blades in a jiffy. It is a bit crude in how the stone height is adjusted, but I don't think it deserves as bad of a rap as folks give it. I've never sent knives out since I got it, of that says anything.
Title: Re: Planer knife sharpener.....
Post by: doc henderson on May 10, 2021, 09:37:57 AM
that is why I say it is clunky.  the learning curve is to hold your mouth just right.  I never have to adjust the stone,  I just push forward harder.  I jam toothpick into the angle adjustment so it does not rock back and forth.  I am planning on rebuilding the adjustment with the help of my cousin who is a machinist.  A new person could not just start sharpening knives.  they would need a list of do this and do not do that.  and yes easy to round off the corners.  It is a heavy cast piece.  like much of the early grizzly stuff, not refined.  some of the more expensive stuff is more refined.  I do not think they have a newer more refined version.  It works but I was very disappointed by it.  
Title: Re: Planer knife sharpener.....
Post by: alan gage on May 10, 2021, 12:59:54 PM
Not sure how long your knives are but Makita makes a grinder that works well for planer/jointer blades as well as chisels. I picked one up used and haven't used it a lot (switched to carbide planer/jointer blades) but it seems to work well. I believe the Makita works up to 16" blades.

Makita 98202 1.1 amp Horizontal Wheel Wet Blade Sharpener - Power Bench Grinders - Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/Makita-98202-Horizontal-Wheel-Sharpener/dp/B0000223JC)

Alan
Title: Re: Planer knife sharpener.....
Post by: Don P on May 10, 2021, 08:04:20 PM
I'm in the same boat. I used to use a local saw shop that serviced the furniture plants in town but he went under with them. I made a jig for the radial arm and a white stone, it worked but I was less than enthused. I've tried 3 different "sharpening services" 2 burned the steel and one made them different widths and angles down their length, sheesh, I can do better than that and I sure ain't advertising. I've used the Makita before and won't be going that route. I might try Larry's idea, I've got an old 50's craftsman under a bench.
Title: Re: Planer knife sharpener.....
Post by: barbender on May 10, 2021, 11:14:30 PM
Those kinds of stories are why I bought the Grizzly. Like I say, it ain't perfect, but it's in my control to do a good job or not.
Title: Re: Planer knife sharpener.....
Post by: D6c on May 11, 2021, 08:30:17 AM
I bought new knives for my 15" planer at the time I was reconditioning the planer.  I wasn't real impressed with flatness or straightness of the new knives so I ended up mounting the spindle in my lathe and sharpening with a toolpost grinder.  Not practical for each sharpening but I had the spindle out at the time.  
Next time I plan on making a fixture block to sharpen them on a surface grinder......but that requires fine adjusting of the knives upon reassembly.
If a spiral cutter head didn't cost more than the planer was worth I'd go that route.