Philip on mon 16 apr 01
Dear Steve, and All,
When sharpening 'Tempered Steel' Tools, such as DOLAN, and possibly others,
it is prudent, if doing so on a Bench Grinder or Belt Sander, to hold a
little sponge saturated with water, so to dribble or seep on the edge being
addressed.
Keeping the edge 'cool' can be important in preserving the 'Temper' , which
is the stste of hardness in this case.
If the edge gets too hot, whether or not hot enough to turn blue, the
'Temper' may become ruined, and the hardness will likely be
lost...'softened'...annealed.
Which would occasion even more rapid 'dulling' than before.
Well...just that thought...
Phil
ell vee nev
----- Original Message -----
From: "steve dalton"
To:
Sent: Monday, April 16, 2001 2:52 PM
Subject: Re: Dull tools
> Yes, they do get dull. Try either a dremel tool or a bench grinder.
Bench
> grinder works better, though.
> Steve Dalton
> sdpotter@gte.net
> Clear Creek Pottery
> Snohomish, WA
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Dwiggins, Sandra (NCI) on tue 17 apr 01
I spoke with Ms. Dolan at NCECA who told me never to use a bench grinder to
sharpen the tools. Best to use a whet stone, she said.
Sandy
-----Original Message-----
From: Philip [mailto:pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET]
Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2001 2:14 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: Dull tools, or 'dull and duller'...
Dear Steve, and All,
When sharpening 'Tempered Steel' Tools, such as DOLAN, and possibly others,
it is prudent, if doing so on a Bench Grinder or Belt Sander, to hold a
little sponge saturated with water, so to dribble or seep on the edge being
addressed.
Keeping the edge 'cool' can be important in preserving the 'Temper' , which
is the stste of hardness in this case.
If the edge gets too hot, whether or not hot enough to turn blue, the
'Temper' may become ruined, and the hardness will likely be
lost...'softened'...annealed.
Which would occasion even more rapid 'dulling' than before.
Well...just that thought...
Phil
ell vee nev
----- Original Message -----
From: "steve dalton"
To:
Sent: Monday, April 16, 2001 2:52 PM
Subject: Re: Dull tools
> Yes, they do get dull. Try either a dremel tool or a bench grinder.
Bench
> grinder works better, though.
> Steve Dalton
> sdpotter@gte.net
> Clear Creek Pottery
> Snohomish, WA
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
____________________________________________________________________________
__
Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
Bruce Girrell on tue 17 apr 01
Sandra Dwiggins wrote:
> I spoke with Ms. Dolan at NCECA who told me never to use a bench
> grinder to
> sharpen the tools. Best to use a whet stone, she said.
That is because it is very easy to overheat (and ruin) the tool using a
bench grinder. Certainly a whet stone would avoid that problem, but you
could be in for a long evening of sharpening, especially if the tool has an
interesting shape. If you do want to use a whet stone, the diamond-clad
steels are the best and fastest.
Bruce Girrell
in - once again - snowy northern Michigan, happy to see that someone
actually knows how to spell "whet."
Philip on tue 17 apr 01
> I spoke with Ms. Dolan at NCECA who told me never to use a bench grinder
to
> sharpen the tools. Best to use a whet stone, she said.
> Sandy
Dear Sandy,
Thank you for the mention!
Mrs. Dolan's kind advice does not seem to include the qualifications or
elaborations as may represent the context or considerations in which it was
formed.
So, to explore on this topic some little bit, I will reference to my
having mentioned, that :
> When sharpening 'Tempered Steel' Tools, such as 'DOLAN', and possibly
others,
> it is prudent, if doing so on a Bench Grinder or Belt Sander, to hold a
> little sponge saturated with water, so to dribble or seep on the edge
being
> addressed.
> Keeping the edge 'cool' can be important in preserving the 'Temper' ,
which
> is the stste of hardness in this case.
>If the edge gets too hot, whether or not hot enough to turn blue, the
>'Temper' may become ruined, and the hardness will likely be
>lost...'softened'...annealed.
>Which would occasion even more rapid 'dulling' than before.
>Well...just that thought...
>Phil
Well...in the absence of any elaborations or qualifications in Mrs. Dolan's
kind advise, the contrast between our views may be only appearant, and not
actual.
As an aside, do you suppose that 'Dolan' uses 'whet-stones' in the
production
or sharpening of their Tools?
I would not suppose they do.
If Tempered Carbon Steel Tools having an inside bevel are in question, then
(obviously?) Bench Grinders or Belt Sanders are not likely to be
appropriate.
A 'Dremmel' or a die-grinder or other hi-speed abrasive spindle aparatus may
be useful, AND hopefully, with due respect to (still needing to) keep the
'edge'
cooled.
I can think of no justification for having an 'inside' bevel on Potter's
Trimming Tools, even though I am given to understand that there are some
Tools which do have
these.
The only thing I can imagine, resembleing a 'justification' (or that is , a
justification defferential to the user of the Tool), would be to decrease
'drag' on a wide tool, given that it is made 'wide' for reasons unknown,
where the
manufacturer is making them out of a pre 'sharpened' banding or ribbon
material, and allowing the user to worry about 'how' to maintain the
thing...which begs the point: why not just have the 'bevel' outside? Too
much drag in damp clay with a wide Tool? Why a wide Tool?
No manufacturer would want to sharpen inside bevels anyway...they would
either not do it, or use something 'pre-sharpened' that they snip and bend
and tuck into a handle, giving an 'inside bevel'.
I do not recall whether 'Dolan' Tools even have inside bevels, or if some of
them do, or whose Tools may, or 'do'...
For sharpening inside bevels, one could also glue 'Silicon-Carbide' abrasive
paper to a shaped stick,
dowel-rod, 'pop-sickle sticks' , tongue depressor or the like, making very
effective successors to a 'whet-stone' and having - if you choose - the
advantage of increased
length which lessens the burdons or tedium of short 'strokes' in the
sharpening exercise.
With 'whet stones' sharpen into the bevel...with paper, sharpen away from
it.
These are also inexpensive to make, and will not break if dropped, and can
be made in any shape you like.
One may also glue such 'papers' on to metal rods or long slender sections,
which would be
firmer yet.
I find aerosol fabric adhesive to work nicely on wood.
Paper to steel I do not offhand know.
Use soapy water, or 'W-D-40' to lubricate the sharpening proceedure.
Keep the bevel 'flat', and to do so, be careful in the technique and
motion-of-the-arm to ensure this.
A 'round' bevel will not 'cut' well.
I am not suggesting that 'Silicon-Carbide' paper sticks are a proper
successor for all sharpening...but certainly for those things where it will
do just fine.
Outside bevel Tools may be sharpened as I had described.
Traditional 'Scalpels', straight Razors and certain of other 'cutting' hand
Tools appreciate certain respects not found with the use of Bench Grinders,
paper sticks, sanding belts or die grinders...different things require
different methods defferential to the Tool, and the use to which it will be
put.
The time invested in sharpening outside bevel Trimming-Tools with
'whet-stones', I imagine would rapidly exceed the assigned value or 'cost'
of
replaceing them, and hence, does not make very much sense to me as a
recommendation, as particularly since I do not know what rationalization or
'reason' would underlie a recommendation to do so.
The essential caution or prudence with 'Bench Grinders', as you may recall,
is, when starting-up the machine, to make sure the line of travel for the
eventuality of a disintegrating wheel, is clear of people or other cherished
forms.
In summation:
I can suppose no justification which would recommend 'inside-bevels', which
are the only configuration which per-se would mitigate against Bench
Grinders or Belt Sanders, simply because, practically, one could not do it
at all by those means anyway.
Practical and effective sharpening proceedures may be learned by anyone
wishing to do so, and certainly for the likes of our Trimming Tools.
Understanding the 'reasons' for things, and understanding the 'things'
themselves, in practical terms, is a matter of natural curiosity and is
also
useful to one's interests.
Tools are costly and important, and their intelligent care and use may
interest and reward those who use them.
Abstract advice or admonitions may not provide much understanding of 'why',
or of the sense the 'why' may make.
Yes?
Yes.
Phil
ell vee nev
Marcia Selsor on tue 17 apr 01
Dear Sandra,
I sharpen trimming tools (not Bison nor Dolan) on a bench grinder with
just a very quick rub. They do not not red because they are not grinding
for more than a second or two. I have some Dolan tools. The very small
one broke the first time I used it. -the wooden handle snapped. I
haven't bought any since. I use the "pear" shaped trimmer for most of my
trimming. -and when it is dull I zap the edge on the bench grinder.
Marcia in Montana
"Dwiggins, Sandra (NCI)" wrote:
>
> I spoke with Ms. Dolan at NCECA who told me never to use a bench grinder
to
> sharpen the tools. Best to use a whet stone, she said.
> Sandy
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Philip [mailto:pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET]
> Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2001 2:14 AM
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Re: Dull tools, or 'dull and duller'...
>
> Dear Steve, and All,
>
> When sharpening 'Tempered Steel' Tools, such as DOLAN, and possibly
others,
> it is prudent, if doing so on a Bench Grinder or Belt Sander, to hold a
> little sponge saturated with water, so to dribble or seep on the edge
being
> addressed.
>
> Keeping the edge 'cool' can be important in preserving the 'Temper' ,
which
> is the stste of hardness in this case.
>
> If the edge gets too hot, whether or not hot enough to turn blue, the
> 'Temper' may become ruined, and the hardness will likely be
> lost...'softened'...annealed.
> Which would occasion even more rapid 'dulling' than before.
>
> Well...just that thought...
>
> Phil
> ell vee nev
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "steve dalton"
> To:
> Sent: Monday, April 16, 2001 2:52 PM
> Subject: Re: Dull tools
>
> > Yes, they do get dull. Try either a dremel tool or a bench grinder.
> Bench
> > grinder works better, though.
> > Steve Dalton
> > sdpotter@gte.net
> > Clear Creek Pottery
> > Snohomish, WA
> >
> >
>
____________________________________________________________________________
> __
> > Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
> >
> > You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> > settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
> >
> > Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
> __
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
--
Marcia Selsor
selsor@imt.net
http://www.imt.net/~mjbmls
http://www.imt.net/~mjbmls/Tuscany2001.html
http://www.imt.net/~mjbmls/Gallery.html
steve dalton on tue 17 apr 01
The tools I use to use were stainless, but never-the-less a very good idea.
I have moved from buying commercialy made tools to homemade...metal
strapping screwed to 1 x 2 's. I never need to worry about sharpening these
tools, since the strapping is about 20 to 22 gauge metal. The bench grinder
worked pretty good and the tools kept a good edge for several months, the
key I found was not to hold the edge against the disc for very long at a
time. Slide the tool back and forth, lightly and not to let it bounce. If
you jammed the metal, you could build up more friction, loosing the temper
quicker.
Steve Dalton
sdpotter@gte.net
Clear Creek Pottery
Snohomish, WA
----------
>From: Philip
>To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>Subject: Re: Dull tools, or 'dull and duller'...
>Date: Mon, Apr 16, 2001, 11:14 PM
>
>Dear Steve, and All,
>
>When sharpening 'Tempered Steel' Tools, such as DOLAN, and possibly others,
>it is prudent, if doing so on a Bench Grinder or Belt Sander, to hold a
>little sponge saturated with water, so to dribble or seep on the edge being
>addressed.
>
>Keeping the edge 'cool' can be important in preserving the 'Temper' , which
>is the stste of hardness in this case.
>
>If the edge gets too hot, whether or not hot enough to turn blue, the
>'Temper' may become ruined, and the hardness will likely be
>lost...'softened'...annealed.
>Which would occasion even more rapid 'dulling' than before.
>
>Well...just that thought...
>
>Phil
>ell vee nev
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