The WorkSharp 3000 - Is It Any Good?

Here I am again, and first of all thank you for all your well-wishes and messages of concern. The Nice Lady from the Hardware Store and I have had a long rest and a holiday and we return on what is an auspicious occasion for us - today is our thirtieth wedding anniversary! How she has stuck me for all these years is an Extraordinary Mystery...
So here is a vid I prepared several months ago. Among a few of my other KZbin neighbours, Chris the Wood Yogi spotted the WorkSharp 3000 tool which I'd lately acquired. He wanted to know a bit more about it, so here is my initial impression. I've been using it a little bit at a time and generally I can say it's a very successful purchase. Whether it is worth the money I spent on it is a subjective matter, of course.
Anyway I hope this gives you information, ideas and giggles in equal measure and please do comment and question - I really enjoy hearing from you all. And until the next time, God's blessings on you all and thanks so much for watching.

[@WoodenItBeNice]

Hi Mark, Came across this one. That really does look like a great sharpener. I was taught in school and by my Father how to sharpen chisels and still have the sharpening/honing guide my Father used. Great video my friend. Take care Mark. Cheers, Huw

[@MarkMcCluney]

@@WoodenItBeNice I'd already guessed that you could sharpen 'old school', by which I mean 'properly'. The Worksharp is quite expensive for what it is, it's really only worth it if, like me, you've never learned the art of Doing It Right. Cheers Huw and thanks for ploughing through my back catalogue!

[@MakeThings]

Wait, no half bloody, shaved arms for us to gush over?! How can I really tell it’s sharp? The arm test is the standard! Joking of course...and happy A! I missed this upload earlier as I had switched accounts, but I am your loyal fan and had to watch as soon (or nearly, this darn daylight savings time is a soul crusher for me here) as I could. Thanks Mark!

[@MarkMcCluney]

Well you know it was that or the Obligatory Paper Cutting so to be original I left them both out. Anyway I don't have much arm hair to shave off - even my arms are going bald...

[@MakeThings]

Mark McCluney hahaha, makes bath time so much easier though, right?!

[@AlleyPicked]

Welcome back Mark. That costs $235 here in the states currently. Still seems a bit pricey even for that. I have the same angst as you when it comes to sharpening. I have a video coming out soon on hand sharpening chisels. I need to conquer my fear 😁

[@AlleyPicked]

...oh yea, and I enjoyed the video.

[@MarkMcCluney]

@@AlleyPicked Thank you Tom! I think it's well spent if it gets the job done well and especially if it's a job you don't like. Since I've always sharpened so badly it's a good purchase. As well as that, you can spend a lot of money on fancy diamond plates, Japanese water stones and all that sort of thing so, y'know... It does for me. Anyway thanks again mate. More stuff soon.

[@ClintRoseCarving]

Oooo a very fancy jig indeed sir! Gotta love that shine

[@MarkMcCluney]

I wasn't sure that you'd approve of more electrical equipment in my workshop but everything is sharper than it's ever been, I'd even sharpen my hammer if I thought I could get in there. Good to hear from you Clint!

Hello, Mark. Congratulations on our 30th wedding anniversary. wish you a healthy and happy day. nice sharpening machine. best wishes. nice gift

[@MarkMcCluney]

Thank you so much! Your comments always encourage me and I am very grateful. We have had a very good anniversary day together. Thirty more years coming along!

@@MarkMcCluney Sincerely congratulate. Best regards

[@Geocolonel]

Hi Mark. Congratulations to the anniversary! And good luck in the next thirty! :-)

[@MarkMcCluney]

Colonel!! So good to hear from you! Thank you so much for looking in. And thank you for that lovely wish, I really appreciate it. Did you go to the French bluegrass festival this year? Is your sister still a mando' picker? Thanks again mate!

[@Geocolonel]

@@MarkMcCluney Thank you buddy! Yes, she is still picking that thing :-) Last week she was again on workshop with P. Brandejs and comp. Not sure, if I could come next year to France, but if there's a chance we can meet up there, I do all for it! :-)

[@LIS_Project]

Thanks for the interesting video! Now tools will be sharpened faster. Protect yourself from cuts. Congratulations on your wedding anniversary! We wish you long happy years of married life!

[@MarkMcCluney]

Thank you so much! I'll be careful! And thank you for this those kind words - thirty years? We're just getting started;-) Much love and God's blessings!

[@MakinSawdust]

Hello mate!!!! I saw you over on Christofix channel!!! That is a really cool machine. I wonder if i can buy something like that in the United states...off to amazon and look ;) great share friend. I clicked the bell

[@MarkMcCluney]

Thanks so much for looking in and I really appreciate your interest. Actually the WorkSharp is an American-made tool, you'll find it much more affordably priced in the USA than on this side of the Pond. Also have a look through Stumpy Nubs' vids for information on the WS3k, he'll tell you more than I ever can. Thanks again mate and I hope you'll have a look at some of my other vids, I think they'll give you a few giggles.

[@RiteraRacoonOutdoor]

They Magnets look great And then from beautiful wood. Great work Mark! ;) Have a nice week and greetings Marco & Racoon

[@leopdion5976]

So I have the sw2000 which isn’t made anymore but works much the same. You mainly focused on chisel sharpening but I’ve found it very useful for other blades as well including shears, mower and chippers. Even cleaning up rust. God Bless!

[@MarkMcCluney]

@@leopdion5976 Thanks for looking in Leo. Yeah, I concentrated on chisels in the vid just for convenience but I use the WS3k for planes as well. Thanks for looking in mate, I really appreciate it.

[@hansmatzweissefeder]

hi mark - tolles gerät - einfach zu bedienen - ich gratuliere der dame aus dem baumarkt zu ihrer tollen entscheidung vor 30 jahren - gott segne euch - grüße vom federl. 🤘😎👍💚🍺🖖🥂

[@MarkMcCluney]

Thank you so much Hans. Your comments always encourage me! Much love and God's blessings my friend!

[@tfturning]

Happy anniversary to you both mate! Great video too, looks like a decent bit of kit 👍

[@MarkMcCluney]

Cheers Pog! Yeah, it suits me very well, but I'm not sure it would be great for gouges and suchlike, although the manufacturers say otherwise. I think I'll do an update vid in a year or so when I've gotten a bit more experience with it. Thanks for your good wishes mate, I really appreciate that.

[@tfturning]

@@MarkMcCluney Would definitely be interesting your take on it after a year of use! Its those Tormek gouge sharpening systems that keep me up at night, for now i'll have to stick with my cheap and cheerful bench grinder haha. 👍

[@TheWoodYogi]

I enjoyed that Mark 😊 It certainly looks like it does a great job judging by that chisel 😊 Happy 30th anniversary with our love and blessings 😊 ॐ

[@MarkMcCluney]

Thanks so much for that Chris, that means a lot to us. And I remembered how you had asked me about the WorkSharp when I leaked its arrival earlier this year. It's certainly a super tool and I even enjoy sharpening things now! At last my chisels and planes actually cut wood instead of just hacking and tearing - finally, I'm a proper woodworker! Hooray! God's blessings mate.

Very enjoyable video Mark. I hope you'll enjoy this machine for a long time and happy wedding anniversary!

[@MarkMcCluney]

Thank you Stephan, that's a very kind and neighbourly thing to say and I appreciate it. Cheers mate!

[@IrishChippy]

Good review, and a nice bit of kit, but the killer was at 8:25 Happy pearl anniversary Mark & Kath. My mother and father had their 61st anniversary in county Meath during the week

[@PopleBackyardFarm]

Nice tool Mark. Happy 30th Anniversary! New subscriber

[@MarkMcCluney]

Thanks so much! And thank you for subbing. I hope you'll have a look at some of my other vids, I think they'll make you giggle! Thanks again.

[@LonghornWorkshop]

Happy anniversary mate. Like you I am not very good at sharpening and a tool.loke this is a good idea. Great review, need to check it out myself. Cheers!

[@MarkMcCluney]

Harki, good to hear from you mate. And thank you for those good wishes! I was chatting to a gentleman in Lowe's who said 'sharpening has to be learned' and he's right, it's a skill in itself. I'd take time to learn it properly if I could afford a bunch of diamond plates and Japanese water stones and what not to experiment with but they're all pretty expensive too. If I'm gonna' splash cash I don't want 'experimental' I want 'works straight out of the box', and I'm happy to say that the WorkSharp does. There in the USA you'll get it a good bit cheaper, about $240, but it's really up to you to decide if it's going to be money well invested. Okay enough. Looking forward to seeing more goodies from you mate. Cheers.

[@ScrapwoodCity]

Cool machine! And it's not hollow grind which is really cool!

[@MarkMcCluney]

I gotta' say I'm very satisfied with the WS3k, it works very well and saves loads of time for me. And it's a job I always disliked. If you can get it at the right price, of course! Cheers Dimitris, thanks for looking in mate.

[@TheGrantAlexander]

Welcome back mark and happy anniversary!

[@MarkMcCluney]

Thank you Grant, I really appreciate that mate. Thanks for always looking in. Best to Pyro and the Grantlet.

[@NomadMakes]

Brilliant video mate! And nice to see that you are posting again. One question: Is there a system/jig/guide for sharpening circular shapes like on a roughing gouge for this? Or is it only for straight edges?

[@MarkMcCluney]

How did I miss this last time? The slotted discs allow the user to see the surface being sharpened and the manufacturers claim this is ideal for the sharpening of gouges. I don't see it myself, I still sharpen my turning gouges straight off the bench grinder - they look like they've been vandalised but they're sharp enough to get the job done. The WS3k is for chisels and planes IMHO...

[@NomadMakes]

@@MarkMcCluney They don't make a jig or guide for gouges to fix on that bar on top? That must be an oversight... A cheaper alternative to the Tormek.

[@MarkMcCluney]

@@NomadMakes I imagine they do have some sort of gadget for that but I haven't looked into it - the scarcity of money, you know! Anyway, when I feel I need something along those lines I'll probably just have some fun trying but invent a cheapo version. Best to you and Mrs. Nomad.

[@MoscaWoodworking]

hi Mark! happy anniversary!! the worksharp is very interesting. seems very good both on mirros finishing than on restoring old irons. just one question. I'm desperately trying to grind a 17 degrees bevel on a chisel (for softwood) with a grinder, but I did not succeed. do you think it's possible with the worksharp?

[@MarkMcCluney]

Grazie Alberto, you too will find that thirty years goes in very - tell her you love her every day. In answer to your question - no. The WorkSharp can grind at only 20, 25, 30 and 35, no other angles. I did feel that some people would find this a problem. On the other hand there might be a way... Let me think about it mate...

[@MoscaWoodworking]

@@MarkMcCluney thanks for the feedback. 20* could work as well

[@Bramsshed1913]

Hello Mark and congratulations to you both on your 30th Anniversary! I am impressed with your new toy and the way it livened up that old chisel, nice and compact too, and for someone with limited space in their shed its just the job .Nice video mate and I think all KZbin videos should have some shoulder photography and a bit of tool price rant in them :) Cheers, Bram

[@MarkMcCluney]

Thanks so much Bram! I'll pass on those congratulations to The Nice Lady from the Hardware Store - she likes a good old rant about things too; having things in common is the secret of a good marriage. Cheers mate and God bless ya'.

[@baconsoda]

Firstly, Happy Wedding Anniversary to you both.... especially the Beautiful Lady from the Hardware Store. If I did the type of work that you do I would run out and buy one of those because I am very impressed by your initial trials. I am fortunate to have the Sorby ProEdge (about the same price) so I can do chisels on that if I need to but I don't think it would do as good a job as the Worksharp. I hope you have long and happy use from your new toy. Best Wishes, Brendan. (Things are easing down here so, maybe, we will be able to get you down here?)

[@MarkMcCluney]

Brendan, great to hear from you mate, I'll tell Kath you said hello. We'd love to come down and scoff your cake and buns sometime very soon. I'll be in touch and we'll get something sorted. The Workshop is really quite a general sort of tool - useful for planes and chisels but I'm not entirely convinced that it's exactly everyone's cuppa' tea. Going with a Sorby tool always sounds best for the wood Turner and there'll be plenty of personal opinion available; I had to go on KZbin recommendation... 'Nuff said there. Okay mate, more soon but I'll be in touch. Love to Mrs. Soda.

[@heyimamaker]

You're back! Do you think you can sharpen pocket knives with this? or is it better for chisels and plane blades?

[@MarkMcCluney]

Hi mate, thanks for tuning in! My personal feeling is that the WorkSharp is really for chisels and plane blades but tomorrow I'll post another wee vid showing how it can be made a little more versatile. There is also a special attachment for knife sharpening but I imagine it's fairly expensive. Hand on heart I don't think I'd recommend the WS3k for anything other than chisels and planes.

[@heyimamaker]

@@MarkMcCluney Sounds like an honest review to me :)

[@StanCrafted]

First and foremost...Happy Anniversary!! Very good review of what looks to be a very useful tool. I would also rather use a tool than sharpen it...I might have to look into that system!

[@MarkMcCluney]

Thank you Stan - I knew you'd be a description-reader! Yeah I hear you; using rather maintaining. Thanks for looking in, I really appreciate it.

[@NotJustSawdust]

Expensive is just how you look at it. If it lasts a "working" lifetime... I bought different sharpening stones, and yes... I hate that job. If you would buy real good diamond stones and a honing guide at the "top shops" you would spend almost the same money. It would be a reason to actually use the chisels a bit more! (I mostly use my old ones and don't dare to do "heavy" jobs with my new set of Narex that I won in one of the KZbin challenges! Good to see you in the workshop! All the best from a rainy day Portugal. (And there's nothing wrong with ranting about the prices of tools in some countries in Europe)

[@MarkMcCluney]

The prices are insane; surely they want to expand their market. Is it just crazy taxation? Postage? I dunno'... Oh well, thanks for always looking in and supporting me Gerrit. I can't express how I appreciate it. I imagine Mirjam is home by now?

[@NotJustSawdust]

@@MarkMcCluney Yes, she back and I'm a productive man again..... (It does make a difference to be together!)

[@MarkMcCluney]

@@NotJustSawdust I hear ya'. Tell her I said hello.

[@bensimonmusic]

Thanks for this great video. I was really surprised to see a familiar tailpiece design on your guitar. I’m wondering what the brand of guitar it is. I’ve bought a few of these tailpieces from eBay and love to use them on guitar I’m building. They don’t have any brand name on them. Many thanks!

[@MarkMcCluney]

Been, thanks so much for looking in! I had to rewatch carefully to realise what you meant by the guitar with a tailpiece! You mean the wee cheapie at about two minutes in? I'm afraid I can't help mate; it's just a plywood guitar which was given to me for the thin plywood - I was making a few cheapie ukuleles at the time and a chum rescued this from his firewood pile! Would this tailpiece be useful for you? If you'd like it you can have it, but be aware mate, it's a real cheapo. It might be better to make one out of a baked beans can! If you'd like it let me know. God bless you and stay healthy mate.

[@bensimonmusic]

That is incredibly nice, thanks a lot Mark. I’m all the way out in Montana, USA. Would probably be a lot in shipping? Maybe I could trade you something for it. The mystery of the brand of that design continues!

[@MarkMcCluney]

@@bensimonmusic I don't think it'll be that much to send but I'll have to find it first! I tidied up a lot last year by which I mean I moved a lot of my junk from my workshop to my garage. I'll have a look shortly and let you know.

[@MarkMcCluney]

@@bensimonmusic Ben, sorry about this mate but I just can't find that little plywood guitar. It could be buried somewhere in my garage but if it is in there it'll take a while to find. I've been stalling on tidying out in there for more than a year so this is a bit of motivation to get started. If I find it I'll get back in touch. In the meantime I hope you'll have a look at some of my other vids - I'll think they'll give you a giggle. Cheers mate and stay healthy.

[@bensimonmusic]

@@MarkMcCluney I will absolutely watch some more of your videos! Thanks very much and nice to meet you!

[@SlowandExpensive]

Hey Mark!

[@MarkMcCluney]

Hey Tony! What's up man? (You'll have to forgive me if my command of the American vernacular is a little dated...) Cheers mate.

[@RiteraRacoonOutdoor]

Nice Review Mark. greeetings R&R.

[@MarkMcCluney]

Hey Racoon Man! Thanks for looking again, I really appreciate it. Cheers.

[@RiteraRacoonOutdoor]

@@MarkMcCluney You're welcome buddy.

[@berniesr]

Nice video i dont think we get the 3000 here in Australia. You'll be able to sharpen your pencil for the upcoming election season

[@MarkMcCluney]

Thanks Bernie and thanks for looking in again. Yeah, it's a real pain finding something that looks really useful on line only to read 'not available in your country'. Why? I discovered the WS3k on Stumpy Nubs three or four years ago but it was hugely expensive here. It took me a long time to find it at a price I could manage. Really glad I got it now. But come on manufacturers, what's wrong with our money? There, I got to rant after all. Cheers Bernie!

[@MarkMcCluney]

Incidentally I didn't realise they'd called this election until you mentioned it. It's a good job you've got your finger on the pulse mate, I'm completely clueless. Keep me informed okay?

[@berniesr]

@@MarkMcCluney happy to help