Sharpening Jig for Small Chisels

Designing and making a highly successful sharpening jig for mini and micro chisels. Very small chisels are hard to sharpen by hand, and commercial sharpening aids are almost all too large for small tools. This jig can be made in a home garage shop, using tools that are generally available, and a very nominal cost. The results are razor sharp in just a matter of minutes.
To see my previous video series on making small chisels from tool steel, see • Making detail carving ...
To see my previous video series on making small chisels from tungsten carbide, see • Solid Carbide Chisels:...
For a downloadable template for the frame, see my website: psullivancarme...

[@codysurfer8232]

thank you for explaining the importance of a sharpening jig and giving such a good tutorial.

[@dspeerelec643]

I would consider tapping the steel frame for the tightening block. This would resolve the difficulty you encountered with the epoxy process. Your jig is well thought out and the video shows the process in doable steps. You’re site is definitely one of the best I have seen on KZbin.

[@lingcod91]

Glad to see a proper ''HOW TO'' video. It contained clear images, an understandable human voice, no crappy Muzak, and error warnings. This is the way all videos should be. Thanks.

[@dale1956ties]

Excellent companion to the microchisel making tutorial series. You thought of everything! Thanks!!

[@artificiusintelligence4996]

Excelent video!

[@urfckup]

Excellent jig, great job thanks for sharing

[@trep53]

This is a must have item for me even though my small chisels are huge compared to yours. My free hand sharpening technique mostly works for me but I had to learn to use a very light touch and never be aggressive. I see you are gentle even with you jig and that makes sense. Nice build.

[@adelemain6374]

This is fantastically clear! Your videos are outstanding.

[@Aprendiz-de-Marceneiro]

Thanks for the content.

[@thierryduhin3050]

I'm really impressed... All your videos are (look at least...) simple but are SO clever. My sincere congratulations for you work and my deep appreciation for sharing it. Thierry - Belgian luthier

[@lionking19br]

Greetings from south of Brazil. Very detailed descriptions, I wonder will be able to build this one. Thank you very much.

[@Mad4400]

Great detail, but very concise Thanks for sharing.

[@overload889]

Thank you for these videos Mr. Sullivan! They are well done and easy to follow. I look forward to watching all of them!

[@stevenlengyel9701]

Me too 👍👍

[@SonnyBurnett23]

I just found your channel and watched most of your videos. Thank you a lot for sharing your knowledge and experience. You are the rare combination of craftsmanship, scientific approach, eloquent explanation and high quality videos. I'm guessing you're an engineer by trade. Thanks again and please keep posting.

[@coreysheets4862]

Beautiful. Gonna make one today.

[@bungy75]

Thank you for your video!! Almost done with mine. I made mine wider so I can sharpen my little skew. Just a little bit off the back of the top block. Hopefully the skew can shift a little bit more forward. Anyway... I'm happy with my first try thank you again!!

[@waynedavies3185]

Excellently made

[@LitoGeorge]

Love the entire video. Subscribed.

[@TheWingnut58]

I made one of these, but instead of using the epoxy I just threaded the holes and used thread locker... Thanks for the design, works great!

[@TheRocketbob22]

I rarely comment, but I have to say your videos are excellent, you R 1 smart craftsman.

[@czar89031]

Very informative video, i realized myself about my wood carving chisel, that i failed in sharpening it the proper way some of my tools are bowed some are sharpened not evenly, after seeing your video i am picking up where to get those wheel bearing to start my carving tools sharpener, thanks for sharing your video Patrick truly you are a craftman,..

[@juginstr1019]

Great videos here!.Very nice job.

[@labrat7357]

Thanks for the video. I have been using a jewellers screwdriver sharpener that I modified for small chisels. It is just a steel rod with a bearing on each end and a hole through the rod at 90 degrees to the rod with a grub screw to secure the blade. It allows very short blades to be sharpened. The draw back is there is very little surface area holding the chisel blade This addresses that. All the best..

[@claudioluis791]

Isso que é talento! Com coisas simples criou uma ótima ferramenta. Parabéns!

[@stevenlengyel9701]

Thanks again Pat

[@chaosreigns7386]

Thanks for the advice and the plans, this'll make it loads easier for me! God bless brother

[@craigmonteforte1478]

Excellent video on a great jig des[ite knowing before i watched it is a tool i dont need i watched the video from start to finish becaus of the quality of the build and your instructions prior i had really enjoyed the video on the build of the small chisels and carving tools , sadly at this point in my life my health does not allow me. To work in that detail. Any longer therefore its not something i will need but i still enjoy the knowledge

[@denniswhite166]

I watched you video on making tiny chisels but as I was watching them I thought to myself "I'll never be able to sharpen them". Now I have a way Thank you!!!

[@waltersguitars3336]

Love this !!!

[@HugoAlfredoOrdonezCh]

Hola Patrick. Me encantó tu video. Gracias por permitir descargar la plantilla. Ya lo hice. Un gran gesto de tu parte. Bendiciones.

[@sofianebenhadj60]

very very very good job

[@donscottvansandt4139]

Very nice...

[@jasonb2553]

Beautiful work. You can make the jig wider by using a longer screw and putting some of the bearings on the outside of the jig. No need to rebuild.

[@ec140752]

Excellent work ....well and clearly presented

[@billhall]

Thank you so much for this video, I have been trying to find something like this for years, as I build my own mini tools for building old square rigger sailing ships, & you can't buy them anywhere. Keep up the great work.

[@whilburn2]

if you 'affixed' a handle mechanism that goes back the opposite way from the way you have to hold your device, then your chisel handle would face away from you and the end to be sharpened would be facing you. this way, the center of gravity would allow you more control of downward pressure and you would push it away from you when sharpening you not drawing it toward you. I feel that this method would allow you more control. Great video :)

[@PatrickSullivan]

It might work, Wayne, but 'affixing' the new handle will be the trick.

[@DraganIlich-r1s]

Thank you Sir 🎉

[@jennifereverett6298]

I imagine it'd be far higher in price than I can presently afford, but in order for me to do this, I'd have to buy it in finished form.

[@DiemenDesign]

Excellent, will have to give this ago. I'm looking at acquiring a mini Lathe/Mill, wonder if I could adapt your plan to make something with that. Thanks for sharing.

[@PoppaTom1948]

Great videos! I really enjoyed the whole series and learned something new in each one of them. Keep up the great work!

[@miketownsend6108]

awesome job you did !!!!!

[@78dwk]

great video, i deff need to make one, ill add it to the million things to build list,, thanks for sharing ,,you have alot of great videos thanks godbless

[@maxmyo]

Very informative and clever solution, I love your channel, watching the jig you made i might have a suggestion that there is small sharpening jigs made specially for watchmakers screwdrivers, simple design and very inexpensive and comes in many sizes and variation in design, might be an option for someone who doesn't want to build his own.

[@danceswithaardvarks3284]

Perfect Just what I was looking for. Thanks

[@genardusfaberus6514]

Excellent video and tool design!

[@rodneydelaney9227]

Love your work.

[@keirfarnum6811]

Nice little jig. You should see the mini jig I’m making to sharpen marking gauge blades; perhaps I’ll send pics when I (finally) get it done. All aluminum 1 & 1/2 inches long by 5/8 inches wide. Tiny little thing; needs a lot of precision.

[@johnjude2685]

Notice the problem Thanks for teaching

[@sethbracken]

Glad to see this. Thanks for sharing.

[@czar89031]

thanks for sharing your video this is exactly what i need to make,. i don't have those elegant metal cutter but i will try to cut it with a dremel,. i have plenty of woodcarving chisel with different sizes different angles half round, V shape from smallest curve to a big curve with the size of half dollar to a silver dollar & the smallest one is just like the small bearing you are showing on your video,..

[@seansysig]

Exactly what I'm looking for to sharpen my carvers for pen making. Thank you!

[@d.dominquez4223]

Thank you for the concise information. I tend to avoid many videos due to lack of clarity but your videos are very good. May I respectfully suggest using a tap on the tubing rather than epoxy? Thank you again.

[@CSSIandAssociate]

Excellent idea...

[@danielmilliken8903]

This is one my favorites for customization for my carvings. Your very professional clean and solid! I just ordered 10 bearings for 5$ I’m gonna make this thanks to u however is there any ideas on making a jig for gouges, v tools or fishtails or is it possible to achieve success doing so? Tu

[@luvwud]

Nice video as always. If you tapped the hole, fitted bolt you could then epoxy over the top.

[@More-Space-In-Ear]

Brilliant. Thank you for sharing 👍🏼😊

[@robertbrunston5406]

Good video! Thank you.

[@yv5grb]

Thanks... Smart design

[@hernancoronel]

Awesome! Thanks for the great video!

[@jackreeves3001]

Well thought out. Thank you!

[@chrisw1462]

Great idea and excellent video. You definitely should make more than one, or at least keep extra bearings on hand, if you use that diamond paste much. It will eventually get into the bearings, and you know how fast it cuts. The regular honing compound will take a lot longer to migrate into the bearings due to it's wax base, and may never become and issue. With the bearings so cheap, it's an easy fix, but it won't hurt to take care with the thickness of the paste on the honing surface, especially considering the cost of that stuff!

[@michaelduddy4119]

Patrick. Thanks for sharing your techniques. Each one is full of good useful ideas that I would never have known. I would like to use your CAD printout pattern method but found too many different glue stick types. Would you use 3m permanent or something else ? Thanks again. Love your work.

[@humblehombre9904]

Tthank you so much. BRILLIANT IDEA! Why don't you send this to Fine Woodworking magazine? This would certainly get you into the magazine, and likely their books too! Let me know if you do, I will watch for it.

[@osmanerinc7316]

Thanks for shering and knowledge. Good job 👍 Salute from Turkey🖐️ Sory, what is cold green thing you used under the diamond plate?

[@What_Other_Hobbies]

Top claming is so much better than side clamping jigs. Wider wheel base is so much better than single wheel design.

[@ianelley]

If the jig was as wide as the stone you could put side wings on it to keep it parallel, maybe adjustable too, with several index positions so the stone doesn't develop a groove ?

[@stime6472]

Well Done!

[@mildyproductive9726]

I find it useful to sharpen smallish chisels on a slightly rounded stone. Instead of worrying about rounding off the corners, unintentionally, you have to make some mistakes to even out the edge and end up straight (rather than with a frown). The blade will automatically level itself to where you apply the pressure, as well. So by checking the progress and adjusting the way you hold the chisel, you will quickly end up with a sharp, straight edge. My smallest chisel is 3 hundredth's of an inch wide. It wouldn't fit in a standard jig, because the blade is much taller up/down than across. On anything smaller than 1/4", I find it eaiser to hold the chisel still, bevel up and nearly level, and rub a small stone file over the bevel, trying to keep it level. You can constantly monitor with your eyes (and touch-test the edge) and make continuous adjustments.

[@dannyhanke4338]

Look up “Crocker Graver Sharpner”. It might be just the thing you need. It’s a watchmaker and jeweler tool.

[@LitoGeorge]

I see you haven't made a sharpening jig for gouges as you mentioned in the video. Have you solved the how to on that problem yet? TX

[@cjk100694]

Do you have a link for the round stock you used for the tools?

[@stevecanny1583]

Hi Patrick, nice job! It occurred to me that you could get a wider "wheel-base" by adding a couple bearings on the outside, and using a longer screw. Nothing says they all have to be between the flanges, right? :) You might need a washer to space it just a little bit away from the frame. It might even be interesting to experiment with taking the other bearings out of the "middle", although I don't expect that would make any difference except making it a little lighter and very slightly cheaper. It might keep the bearings from rolling in the lapping compound though, which might be a plus. Great job on the carbide chisels too, I learned a lot from those episodes :)

[@PatrickSullivan]

Steve: You could also start with a wider piece of steel channel, and then put a short length of nylon spacer in between the bearings so that you only have the bearings near the edges of the channel. A little extra width is a good idea.

[@danielmilliken8903]

Also I was not able to download pdf file for tool caddy u had on link. Not sure why

[@jrbass62]

I have problems with small plane blades

[@bbrachman]

I am wondering if I could design something like this for my 3D printer. The dimensions would be perfect. What do you think?

[@apmikalogran]

O k very nice what tools do I need to make all these tools .???

[@diydarkmatter]

very cool

[@adamtettran7471]

best thanks love your work

[@davomontgomeryda3rd]

Awesome design and super helpful & inspiring video! Just a thought/question on epoxying the screw heads... I don’t know squat about soldering, but do you think it would be worthwhile to solder the screw heads to the steel plate instead of using the epoxy ?

[@PatrickSullivan]

I think soft solder would probably work well if you can find a suitable way to secure the screws so they remain perpendicular to the steel plate until the solder sets.

[@Chan-rc8oh]

can you make a knife version for that.... greatly appreciate it... thanks...

[@kitocosta1540]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@barrymcgowran6991]

Downloaded to what. File

[@joebrewer5885]

As impressive as the tool is, I found your video with all the graphics more so!

[@jwstanley2645]

Very helpful. Thank you so much for posting. I have one of those cheapies you showed. Bad tool! It does not remain stable, and when I tried using a piece of plate glass for flatness, the demon scratched and ruined the glass (used for other purposes also). I wanted to toss that cheap demon into my kiln and melt it into a blob with what a demon might call 'home fire' (2300 F). Your idea is inspirational. Thank you.

[@ivanstretten9177]

how do you sharpen vtools and gouges

[@tridneven]

Amazing how the tutor guiding us throughout his own fuck ups!

[@joeynuggetz]

This is awesome. Could you provide all the dimensions? There are a few missing from the diagram.

[@PatrickSullivan]

Go to my website at psullivancarmel.wixsite.com/templates. You can download a template from which you can cut and drill directly. The location of the screw holes is shown. Please note, however, that this is not a precision piece, and it was designed to be forgiving of small errors. Many of the dimensions could be changed slightly without any harm. The holes for the screws that hold the wood top on should be as widely spaced as possible, while still allowing room for the heads of the screws. Check the actual screws you intend to use, as the head size varies. If you get these holes a little too close to the sides, you can file a flat on one side of the head.

[@thilokameegahakumbura3970]

WOW

[@SheepWaveMeByeBye]

Oh dear... I just wanted to build a small scale model ship and now I have to invest in a metal shop. 😕

[@hrondeico]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@troyconnor8655]

I tried to download a couple of plans using the links provided however I get redirected to my dropbox and a plan that I downloaded from another woodworker can you help ?

[@kevinallen4069]

Troy Connor If you still need them, try again. I’m a new subscriber and have just printed a few. Perhaps they were working on the website when you tried. Good luck. God bless you and yours!!!

[@troyconnor8655]

@@kevinallen4069 I finally got them I think I was doing something wrong thanks

[@PatrickSullivan]

Troy: I just checked my website. It is functioning perfectly. Just click on the underlined green text that says "Sharpening Jig Template." The template appears immediately, and can be saved to your computer just as you would any other file.

[@thebabylon2933]

fantastic

[@Aprendiz-de-Marceneiro]

Like

[@MrDenisson07]

Show

[@shabehalre711]

.

[@elffirrdesign2063]

Wood or steel it's all the same skill set. Stop thinking like a carpenter and think like a crafty human mammal. A sharpie pen will work as good lay out liquid on steel for doing layout.