Sharpening Common Workshop Tools

Using sharp tools is one of life's great joys. A sharp tool feels right; the job seems that much easier; and the quality of the cut usually means there is less work to do to produce a finished surface on the object. This book provides an understanding of what is involved in sharpening common workshop tools. With over 580 colour photographs and illustrations it covers sharpening techniques for the most commonly used tools - scissors, shears, knives, lathe tools and drills, screwdrivers, chisels and punches, along with the more specialist gravers and scrapers. Advice on types of abrasives, grades, grits and mesh sizes is given. It describes what happens during the sharpening process and provides practical guidance on using sharpening stones and grinding wheels on a bench grinder. Provides essential maintenance instructions such as how to restore the surface of a flat stone and the face of the wheel on a bench grinder. Finally, it gives advice on bench grinders, and includes examples of the use of readily available tools and accessories such as vee blocks, toolposts, collet holders, protractors and gauges.

The seasoned model engineer will find the book a useful tome of reference with good quality photographs avoiding any possible misunderstanding of the contents. Bound between board covers, the book is well presented and should be regarded as one for the workshop where it makes a useful reference source for many of the sharp tools found not only there but also about the house.

Dr Marcus Bowman has been a lifelong maker of models, clocks and workshop accessories, in a wide range of materials, and he enjoys using both hand and machine tools. This is his fourth Crowood Metalworking Guide.