Popular Woodworking 2004-06 № 141, страница 59

The 3M Trizact sandpaper is attached to plastic discs (called Ninja Disc Backpads) that screw onto the machine's spindle. Swapping discs is fast and easy.

The plastic discs' shape allow you to see the tool's edge as you grind and hone it. Shaping unusual tools is remarkably easy.

$10 MAGNIFIER IMPROVES EDGES

When someone suggested that I examine my sharpened edges "up close and personal" with a magnifying glass, I thought they were nuts. But once I tried it, I was hooked. You really can see how sharp your edge is and if your scratch pattern is consistent throughout.

I recommend a 30x magnifier, traditionally called a "loupe" by jewelers, which is used to examine gemstones for flaws. These are readily available through a number of websites for about $10. - CS

are provided in the base specifically for this purpose).

Like the Jet, the Warrior has a lot of uses besides sharpening, including polishing, deburring and altering jewelry. You can even shape small wooden parts with it (there's a dust-collection port for your shop vacuum).

After some practice, our edges looked pretty good. They weren't as consistent as those on the Jet or as polished as those on the Veritas, but they were respectable. The more we worked with the Warrior, the more we began think

ing about ways to add a jig that would hold the tool for us - perhaps an upside down tool rest from a traditional grinder.

Conclusions

Because each machine is different, it's difficult to make a single recommendation for all woodworkers. If you're looking for a system that is dedicated to sharpening plane irons, chisels and other curved woodworking tools, the Veritas is the clear winner. But if you also need a sanding and grinding station, or you work en

tirely with turning or carving tools, you should look closely at the other two models.

The bigger question is, of course, if these systems replace hand sharpening. These three range in price from $300 for the Veritas to $435 for the 8" version of the Jet (before adding the $75 sharpening jig).

All three systems replace a good-quality motorized grinder, which is a $65 to $200 expense, on average. Plus they replace some or all of the sharpening stones you need. A Japanese waterstone

system can cost $40 to $220 (or more). If you finished up your edges with sandpaper, the additional cost would be negligible.

So these three machines are (on the whole) more expensive than most hand-sharpening systems. But they are undoubtedly faster - in some cases much faster. And the less time you spend sharpening means you can spend more time working wood, and that is something that's almost impossible to put a price tag on. So we think these machines are worth checking out. PW

Light finger pressure is all it takes to hone a polished edge quickly and easily on the Veritas machine.

The Mk. II also allows you to flatten and polish the backside of your tools and remove the tool's burr on its backside while sharpening.

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