On Sun, May 18, 2008 at 8:50 PM, Brent Beach  wrote:

>
> In the chapter on Grinding, Jim describes the grindstone - 27" diameter, 4
> to 5" thick fine sandstone wheel ... turned with a cranked handle ... the
> turning undertaken by some menial, such as the apprentice ... It was the
> Industrial Revolution in the nineteenth century which led to the development
> of a man-made abrasive material for the engineering industry. Until the end
> of the second world war woodworkers mainly used the old fashioned sandstone
> wheel, more often than not turned by hand.

GG's-

I have at least a dozen or so sharpening machines of various vintages
and makes. Everything from diamonds to paper. I must have *at least*
35 different wheels. By far my favorite is an antique sandstone wheel.
Small by the above standards, its only 16" diameter, and 2" wide. But
the sandstone surface is the most pleasant surface I've used. The
wheel is a wet wheel with cast iron trough and spray shield. Its a joy
to use, really is. Like butter and super smooth. Only problem is you
can't really use it on modern steels unless I wanted a 10" wheel
within weeks. The sandstone is just too soft to use economically. So I
only use it on my older carbon steel kitchen knives, which I also
love.
So- I think a properly dressed sandstone wheel would do a really good
job on chisels, etc. I think the problem is end users. (well, not
really a problem) Many people probably didn't have the money or time
to send out their tools often enough, especially if they only had one
set. So, if they hit a nail with the chisel and really dinged the
blade while working onsite, they had to do it themselves. I know in
the same situation myself I rushed the job and put a REALLY ugly bevel
in a few chisels, just to get it done really fast and get the job
done. I still have several of these in my shop, just to taunt me...
(besides a saw, scissors, hammer, and grinding wheel problem, my
children think daddy also has a chisel problem) Just my 2 cents....

BTW- Hows the book?

Marc Bileau
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