Instructions for using the sanding aid with small rollers from Richard Kell
This sharpening guide has been specifically designed for narrow chisels and for short Japanese chisels, with a blade width of 0 - 26 mm (1 inch). The blade must rest on the two stainless steel guides with the flat side when clamped. During the sharpening process, the two steel guides are positioned on top to touch the stone with the surface of the bevel.
You determine the bevel angle yourself by the distance you choose for the cutting edge from the edge of the steel guide. For example, if the distance is 16 mm (5/8 inch), you will achieve an angle of 25°. A small piece of wood cut precisely can serve as a template for consistently repeating the same angles.
| Bevel angle at defined distance of the cutting edge from the edge of the steel guide | ||
|---|---|---|
| 12.7 mm | 1/2" | = 30° |
| 14 mm | 9/16" | = 27-1/2° |
| 16 mm | 5/8" | = 25° |
| 17-1/2 mm | 11/16" | = 22-1/2° |
| 20 mm | 25/32" | = 20° |
The hex nut should only be tightened by hand, never with pliers or a wrench! Two soft (transparent) polycarbonate discs allow you to clamp blades whose edges are not perfectly parallel. The rollers are made of two materials: the "rims" are made of brass, and the "tires" are made of "Ertalite®", a highly resistant yet soft plastic.
A piece of wood with the same thickness as the sharpening stone, into which it is recessed, allows you to make better use of the space available on the stone. If the rollers can also run on the wood, the stone will wear more evenly and last longer. Always ensure that the stone is completely flat! A precise sharpening guide is of no use to you if the stone is hollow!