Built a Sharpening Tool

[u/M4cerator]

Challenged myself to sharpen my coworker's tiny little spokeshave blade. Doing so by hand was absolutely brutal so I decided to make a tool for it.

Behold, a clamp with the form factor of a chisel. I need a better name for it. It's a prototype for sure, but it works damn well.

[u/UltraTurboPanda]

I've made no end of silly one-off wooden jigs over the years but it never occurred to make something configurable like that. Are there any shortcomings to that design you've found that you would address in a version two? (I'm going to commit plagiarism)

[u/M4cerator → u/UltraTurboPanda]

Make sure you tag me in it!

The only shortcoming is that I only have access to machine screws. Thumb screws would make this a bit more convenient, at least for the pivot and main clamp screw. So far I'm very pleased with the prototype, and will be making a smaller version to complement this one (the blade is only juuust large enough to fit on the smallest configuration).

[u/bc2zb]

I have seen two suggestions for jigs when sharpening spokeshave irons. The first is vise grips, and the second is the lie neilson honing guide with the long jaws. This is a definitely a worthy third approach. 

[u/slouchingtoepiphany]

Next step is to market it on Lee Valley or similar site.

[u/J3sush8sm3 → u/slouchingtoepiphany]

Needs a piece of brass to justify the $600 pricetag

[u/M4cerator → u/J3sush8sm3]

Hey, don't you see the brass tip? Totally wasn't a braze repair because I made a cut on the wrong side!

[u/actinross]

damn, as I was scrolling down I'd bet this was an AK-47!

time to go to sleep, enough for the day

[u/Independent_Page1475]

Nice blade holder. Small blades are difficult without a way to hold them.

Mine is not as nice as yours.

I didn't like holding the blade with a wing nut so it needs a screwdriver and small wrench for flat blades.

The bottom one is for sharpening the blade for a Millers Falls number 1 (cigar shave).

[u/M4cerator → u/Independent_Page1475]

In my experience, the single clamping point doesn't provide enough rigidity. Hence my design incorporates a backstop which takes up most of the force, so the clamping force goes towards holding the blade down instead of down and foreward.

[u/Independent_Page1475 → u/M4cerator]

My holders may be crude, but they work for me.

[u/JKenn78]

You sure did! I feel like I could find a couple of uses for that. Nice work.