Eric. Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 I've had it with the whole ordeal...getting everything out, setting everything up, packing it all back up, putting it all away. I'm a procrastinator by nature and I let my metal get way too dull before I sharpen...and the lack of a dedicated station doesn't help at all. I know it's been covered before and there's plenty of ideas out there to be found...but let's knock it around again here. I'd love to see pics of your station, or a link to a station you'd like to build. Keep in mind I have no plumbing in my shop, so don't show me some crazy awesome William Ng deal with a sink and an Asian waterfall paradise. That'll just make me angry and I'll probably start tearing out walls and putting in pipes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmaichel Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Looks good Eric. Funny you bring this up. I actually just cobbled this together yesterday using some scrap, a piece of granite that I have been holding onto for four years and a metal base that I was using for my joinery bench until I built a shaker cabinet for it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted March 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Right on, James. That looks to be about the perfect size for my shop. I was thinking about getting some granite, too...did you just find a scrap somewhere? How much was it? I like the little bench hook idea...I was wondering about a solution to keep things from slipping around on the surface. Maybe some rubber feet would work too. My first instinct was to buy a piece of granite with a small sink cut-out and building a kind of bridge over it to hold my stones. That way all the water could drip into the sink and collect in a jug on the floor. Not that my stones require much water, but that way I wouldn't have to worry about it at all. My biggest challenge is deciding where to put this thing. My shop floor-space is already limited and there's a couple more big machines coming in this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arminius Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Tom Fidgen's sharpening bench has a hold on my mind http://www.theunpluggedwoodshop.com/a-dedicated-sharpening-bench-part-8.html 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 I don't have a station, but I have a similar bench hook as James. I found the plans on Lie-Nielsens site. It does double duty as a gauge setting jig. I quickly discovered that having a non-slip something on the bottom. The hook is on the upper part of this jig, and the stone pushes against the stop. This is far from ideal, but it is surprisingly effective. I also need a dedicated station. Looking forward to the other suggestions. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 So I started a fairly substantial shop overhaul today and a sharpening station is on my list. It will be in this corner of this bench where stuff just seems to collect.. This is just the start. I picked up the granite from a local shop for 20 bucks. It was an off cut and I couldn't be picky about color.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Eric, There are now strict rules governing the possession and distribution of hand-tool porn... Boy, if you substitute a six-pack for that large coffee mug you could be in my shop... ==> I'd love to see pics of your station, or a link to a station you'd like to build. Don't have a honing station, but I did build a grinding station last year -- there's a post on WTO covering it... While not a sharpening station, I did set myself up with a sharpening work surface: I got a large stainless baking sheet with one of those no-stick baking mats. It's a bit of an extravagance, but I was tired of water/swarf/etc ending-up on the bench, floor, dripping on extension cords, etc, etc. For years, I taped 6mil plastic sheeting to the bench, but somehow water always ended-up leaking through to the bench then being trapped for a day and making a right-mess... While I freely admit that it's a luxury, I really couldn't stick with water-based sharpening without it (or something similar). Everything stays on the baking sheet -- Tormek, DiaFlat, stone holder, etc... It's just large enough for everything to fit and still have ample room to work... Despite dozens of uses, I've never had a drop get onto the bench... http://www.amazon.com/Focus-Foodservice-Commercial-Stainless-Steel-Sheet/dp/B0073RM9B6/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1394381647&sr=8-10&keywords=stainless+baking+sheet http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008T961/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 BTW: The mat may seem like a real waste of money, but I've yet to find a surface that keeps stones in their place as well -- even dripping wet it holds like crazy... Before plunking down my $$, I did some clandestine research involving my wife's backing kit, then very carefully removed all evidence before she got home... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G S Haydon Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Only one stone needed, the station is wherever I put it 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmaichel Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Thanks Eric! I picked up the piece of granite about four years ago when I lived in San Diego. There was someone on CL who had a couple pieces and was selling them for $25 a pop. At the time I was not sure what I would use it for so it's just sat in a corner for the last four years. I actually went and picked up some non-adhesive shelf liner and put it over the top. This provides for a very good grip and no slipping while sharpening. If I did not have the piece of Granite I would have went with HDPE for the part of the top that would come in contact with water. I would also make it removable so it can be easily washed. It does take up space in my shop but I don't have any big machine purchases coming up for at least 4 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted March 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Good stuff, fellas. Lots of great ideas here. I like the way you think, Trip. That mat has potential. Little early in the morning for the six pack. See me this afternoon. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilburpan Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Here’s mine. I’m in the same boat as you — I don’t have running water in my shop. My sharpening station. It’s really nothing more than a shop built table, made from 2x material, and finished with Waterlox. The tabletop may look like a mess, but I can wipe most of the crud off with nothing more than a wet paper towel. Waterlox really does keep the water out. It looks like you have Shaptons, which I use as well. This is my water containment system. This is a basic shallow wooden tray. The corners were sealed with a heroic amount of silicone caulk. After enough time, enough waterstone grit builds up on the bottom so that it’s essentially waterproof. The most important feature of my sharpening station is that it’s right at the end of my workbench, which means that touching up the edge of a tool is as easy and convenient as I can possibly make it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted March 9, 2014 Report Share Posted March 9, 2014 Mine is in multiple parts, but one parts looks a lot like this, but cost less. A 9x12 surface plate fits tightly in it leaving room underneath for it to dry out after use. The faucet runs water right at the right spot on it. I just put water stones on the counter. I mounted it at a more comfortable, higher level than a normal bathroom vanity, and the drain just runs out the side wall of the shop. I recently bought a 2x3 piece of granite, and have more plans in my head, but no time yet to do anything about it. http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mat/4328215432.html Actually, mine is a bit larger, and a nice fake rose colored fake marble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Melton Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 Tom, you must scour craigslist... I think you're 350 miles from me and you are turning up stuff 3 miles from my house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duckkisser Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 i use a series of bench grinders one wheel with a rig for sharpening my lathe tools so i can sharpen gouges, one with a wheel dedicated to sharping on a large table for scrapers and chisels, one with a mdf honing wheel with the machine mounted backwards so it strops instead of grinds., and a felt wheel for cleaning up the burr on my tools. that is the one i use in my turning shed. in my basement studio i have a bench mounted driill that i use to hone my carving tools. going to take that with me to sales and show how to carve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom King Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 Tom, you must scour craigslist... I think you're 350 miles from me and you are turning up stuff 3 mil I just did a Google search for a vanity countertop craigslist, and that was the first one that showed up. I'm not at home, so couldn't take any pictures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted March 10, 2014 Report Share Posted March 10, 2014 For Craigslist, I usually use search temptest. Shows everything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PaulMarcel Posted March 11, 2014 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 My sharpening station. There's a grinder tucked away in another cabinet, but only use it occasionally. The block has 250, 1000, 5000, and 15000 stones on it. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derekcohen Posted March 11, 2014 Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 About 5 years ago I built an office suite above the garage/shop. This provided the opportunity to plumb the shop for running water. My sharpening station takes full advantage of this: waterstones, Tormek, and half-speed 8" grinder ... Regards from Perth Derek 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G S Haydon Posted March 11, 2014 Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 I like that Paul, very compact, is that a Klausz style box with the caulk trick 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulMarcel Posted March 11, 2014 Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 I like that Paul, very compact, is that a Klaus style box with the caulk trick Exactly, I took photos of Frank's box (that sounds funny...) and made my own version. With Shapton stones, a light spritz from a small water bottle is all I need then wipe off the stone. With that in mind, I don't actually fill the box with water. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted March 11, 2014 Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 ==>takes full advantage of this: waterstones, Tormek, and half-speed 8" grinder Like the Tormek-in-a-tote... Great idea... Water-based sharpening would be great... If it wasn't for the water... Is that the Tormek dry-grinder jig on the Norton wheel? How do you like it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G S Haydon Posted March 11, 2014 Report Share Posted March 11, 2014 Love the Klausz ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mkirby Posted March 15, 2014 Report Share Posted March 15, 2014 I use an old fish tank cabinet that i have to wedge against the wall or bench as it wobbles. I think i will build something similar to Tom Fidgins (is that write?) if i ever get the chance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arminius Posted March 15, 2014 Report Share Posted March 15, 2014 I use an old fish tank cabinet that i have to wedge against the wall or bench as it wobbles. I think i will build something similar to Tom Fidgins (is that write?) if i ever get the chance. Fidgen - that is the one I plan to do as well http://www.theunpluggedwoodshop.com/category/a-dedicated-sharpening-bench Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HunterL Posted March 5, 2015 Report Share Posted March 5, 2015 Here’s mine. I’m in the same boat as you — I don’t have running water in my shop. My sharpening station. It’s really nothing more than a shop built table, made from 2x material, and finished with Waterlox. The tabletop may look like a mess, but I can wipe most of the crud off with nothing more than a wet paper towel. Waterlox really does keep the water out. It looks like you have Shaptons, which I use as well. This is my water containment system. This is a basic shallow wooden tray. The corners were sealed with a heroic amount of silicone caulk. After enough time, enough waterstone grit builds up on the bottom so that it’s essentially waterproof. The most important feature of my sharpening station is that it’s right at the end of my workbench, which means that touching up the edge of a tool is as easy and convenient as I can possibly make it. Anyone have a link to that "waterstone clamp" thingy ma jig I keep seeing? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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