George,

No doubt, jigs help a turner get and repeat a good edge for their
tools. My point, however, is that you can still "screw it up" even
with a jig if you don't learn the fundamentals of grinding and tool
geometry.

Please allow me to turn up the contrast a bit. On most bowl gouge
jigs, the tool is held in the correct position as it is swept across
the grinder or belt sander. If, however, while the tool is still in
the jig, you were to simply place the nose of your tool against the
belt/wheel and leave it there for an extended length of time, you will
seriously alter the geometry for the worse. While turners won't do
that, over time the sweeping motion that you use could have you taking
progressively more metal from the nose than from the wings. Over
time, you may end up with a nose ground too much even with the jig.
This is why a turner needs to understand the basic shape that is
desired so that they can correct their use of the jig when needed.

Joe
======================================

"George Saridakis" wrote in message ...
Hi Folks,

If you have both a system and a jig which allows quick "brainless"
sharpening, you are then more likely to improve your turning since you will
sharpen as soon as you think you need it rather than waiting for a good
time!

I am able to sharpen a parting tool and 2 gouges in around 2 minutes time
and resharpen a single gouge in less than 30 seconds with the Big Tree Tools
sharpening system (belt sander) and the Packard bowl gouge jig.

My turning has improved immensely since I purchased these items.

George

"Joe Fleming" wrote in message
om...
Arch,

I agree that it is a skill to a point. There are people that can run
sub 4 miles, but I will never get there despite years of training. In
other words, I suppose there are people that have insufficient
dexterity to successfully and repeatably freehand grind. I also think
this number is very small.

On the flip side, you can make terrible grinds with a jig too. The
jig is not a cure-all, just a help. The most important thing for
successful grinding is knowing what a correctly ground edge is shaped
like and when you don't have it.

Joe FLeming - San Diego
======================================

(Arch) wrote in message
...
Sharpening aids & jigs are certainly useful and are employed instead of
or to supplement freehand by many turners, experienced as well as
neophytes. Mostly for convenience and to easily & precisely reproduce
bevelled edges.

I do not believe that some of us are endowed by their creator with an
innate ability to sharpen freehand while others are not. I suspect that
this is a learned skill not a talent. Else why should I believe, as I
do, that almost everyone can learn to turn?

However, re skills, talents and such, I hope Lyn will offer a
professional opinion. Arch

Fortiter,


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