Thanks guys, I will explore some of your suggestions

Bob S. wrote:
Wayne,

I have the Makita sharpener, it will do a great job but its way overkill if
all you want to sharpen is jointer knives. But if you have some planer
blades that need sharpening, some good chisels and hand-plane blades and
turning tools - then it can be a good investment.

But for jointer blades alone I can think of several low cost ways to sharpen
them yourself. You can Use Scary Sharp (see below) along with the Veritas
(Lee Valley) jointer blade holder - which works great, or you can make a
shop-made holder for the blades.

Take a piece of ~6/4 hardwood about 3" wide or so and cut 3 slots in it to
hold the blades at the correct angle. This will work nicely if the jointer
blades are 1/8" thick or I should say, as thick as your tablesaw blade. If
they're less, shim with some masking tape.

A little trial and error to get the depth of the slots cut but it only has
to be deep enough for the blades to stick a bit proud of the surface of the
block of wood. Set your tablesaw blade at the same angle as the bevel on the
jointer blade an then set the height of the tablesaw blade so it's makes a
cut deep enough in the block of wood so that the bevel of the jointer blade
is about the thickness of your thumbnail above the block when the blade is
inserted in the block.

The distance between the slots is not critical but make it equidistance so
when using the block it does not rock. Using Scary Sharp methods (fine
sandpaper and a flat surface), place the 3 jointer blades in the block
(press fit them in) and then with the sharp edges down, slowly but firmly
work the blades back and forth over the sandpaper that is attached to a flat
surface. About every ten strokes, turn the block 180° so you sharpen the
blades evenly.

Depending on the fit of the blades in the slots you may have to shim them so
they fit tightly in the slots. You may also have to rig up a stop on each
end of the block to keep the blades from sliding out of the slots but I've
found that shimming the blade with masking tape or even Scotch tape is
enough to hold the blades in. You want a press fit. After they're
sharpened, you'll need a small screwdriver or something to lift the edge of
the blades out of the slots.

You can get real fancy making a jig for doing this to insure the blades are
exactly the same width side to side but in the end, as long as the edge is
flat the length of the blade is what matters. When you put the blades back
in the jointer, any differences in blade width will be adjusted out at that
time.

But....if you're hell bent on spending some money, the Makita was highly
rated at the time I got mine.

Some links for reference:

http://www.shavings.net/SCARY.HTM

Veritas jointer blade holder
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.a...urrency=2&SID=

http://www.tools-for-woodworking.com/product.asp?3=1460


Bob S.



"Wegge" wrote in message
...

I have 3 sets of dull (not nicked) jointer knives that need sharpening
desperately. I can't decide if I should send them out somewhere for
sharpening or purchase a grinder such as the Makita 9820-2 Sharpener.

I live in the northern boondocks of Minnesota and there isn't a
sharpening service anywhere near me.

Has anyone had experience with the Makita Sharpener or can recommend a
place where I can send knives for sharpening.

Thanks

Wayne