True Beginner: Basic Sandpaper Sharpening

[@RodrigoFernandez-td9uk]

Last Saturday my wife found 16 (sixteen) dresses for a few cents. She was so happy that she didn't notice that I was using the glass coffee table as flat surface for sharpening my plane.

[@Motown222]

Thank you, Rex! God. Hundreds of sharpening vids 40 minutes long. So frustrating! You told me all I need to know in 10, and man! I appreciate that!!

[@iakkatz128]

In over 40 yrs. of woodworking this was one of the easiest and best understood sharpening lesson I've seen. Love how you simplify the most convoluted (to some) paths. Keep them coming.

[@danielparrott4286]

Am I the only one who would love these more than once a month?! I have found these two so far in this series to be EXTREMELY useful and super helpful.

[@RexKrueger]

Share these on social. If we get more views, we'll do more!

[@james123oo]

Me 3

[@zoochdjz]

Woodworking is expensive, and starting out it’s frustrating buying real expensive tools or jigs and you can’t use em like the videos when you learned how, so it’s nice y’all made such an in depth video explaining a real cheap way to sharpen these blades!

[@2dividedby3equals666]

I'm loving these videos with Nate. It's really interesting to see as he learns and get actual results. Thanks you both for the awesome video!!

[@rockdog2584]

Mr. Krueger?...this was an AWESOME way to show how easy it can be to learn how to use a hand plane. I, myself, have a couple of old planes buried somewhere out in my new garage (I just moved a few months ago) that are probably in need of restoration/tune-up so I can put them to good use. THANK YOU for all of your time and effort into teaching us hosers how to deal with such chores

[@toddtremeer7057]

Great video showing basic sharpening without demanding we spend a fortune in grinding tools and stones. I'm learning new stuff every day as I've been watching your videos this past month.

[@rheanikolishen6432]

I'm retired,love woodworking but mostly wood carving. I watch you every day and learned so much. I can't thank you enough. My chisel and plane are in great shape now

[@JimHester]

Seriously some of the best videos on the internet.

[@RexKrueger]

That means a lot!

[@davidgagnon2849]

I hope this series with Nate continues. No one else is making teaching videos like this, and they are very effective. Kudos to you, Rex!

[@DanT10]

I did it! Thinner than paper shaving buttery smooth wood. And it is amazing. Rather than sandpaper I bought the sharpal diamond stone 60 bucks for the big one (do not bother with the small one). 320 on one side and 1200 on the other. This is a tool steel terror. The stone does its job well add a strop and you are done. That said. I did and redid the blade. Now on to the true beginner how to plane. Rex and Nate Thank you!

[@adamthewoodworker2571]

Hey, do you have a link or name for the diamond stone that you bought?

[@rickeverett3304]

Me a woodworker hobiest and contractor for 30 years, I always learn, thus I became a Patreon, we all should.

[@wm005]

This is a great addition to your video channel. You have really stepped up your game...

[@johnhiemstra1464]

Fantastic teaching video. As a retired teacher I admire how you make this mysterious sharpening thing so simple and the joy it brings both of you at the end. I have definitely learned some things. Thanks Rex and Nate.

[@RexKrueger]

I'm always touched to get the approval of another teacher!

[@bigbearnelson]

I've gone through so much sandpaper trying to fix cheap plane irons and chisels but getting curled shavings on oak end grain is more than worth it. I'm glad you made a video on this!

[@JonWilsonPhysics]

Rex, I just took my first ever shavings with a plane! Got a Craftsman plane from a flea market a few days ago, and today I cleaned it up and sharpened it, then took some shavings from a bit of scrap 2x2. It worked! Now I need to get a bunch of 2x4s and build my low Roman bench.

[@tagomago2178]

Superb Video - I could relate to all the questions asked by the bloke on the left, they were all valid and essential from a beginners stance. Much better than just having an expert talking purely from his own point of view. I felt that this approach helped cover all areas; with the explanations being handled perfectly. Made all the difference and nothing was superfluous - Nice work Chaps & Many Thanks

[@23Kaotica]

Nate looked so happy when he was checking the camber with the wooden rule. Awesome video guys!

[@RexKrueger]

That was totally unrehearsed! He was like a kid on Christmas.

[@Sawta]

This is great! I had a stupid problem early on, but it was easily fixed: When you glue sandpaper to a flattened surface, *ONLY* put glue around the OUTER EDGES; putting glue in the center of the sandpaper will only create ridges for the blade to get caught on, and ruin the paper, and probably mess up the edge you've gotten so far. It sounds obvious now that I made the mistake, but I was on auto-pilot when I was doing this, and assumed getting the sandpaper _super_ secured to the paper was more important; it's not. Overall, it took me about three days to get to the final product, but I can easily shave hair off my arm now! Feels great to finally accomplish some of the basics! :) Now onto the much harder task of restoring the hand plane itself. Seriously...there's so much rust on the sole (I think that's the part, the silver part that sits flat on the wood to be planed) is so rusted that the entire thing is basically orange. No silver at all. The cast iron itself is just a bit dusty, but that iron is just...caked...in rust. I can't even tell if it's pitted, but I'm assuming it is. Wish me luck, boys!

[@DRJMF1]

Thank you, best sharpening video for beginning nets and uses cheap tools.

[@gillianbc]

This is one of my favourite episodes. Fantastic that we can get a masterclass online for free from a proper craftsman who explains it all so well.

[@CSGraves]

While I've read woodworkers who viewed sandpaper as a cheap entry-level only solution, & detracting its long term cost effectiveness, I find that using it dry, clamped down to a flat surface, I can get a lot of use out of it, & not have to worry about it getting warped by water or being permanently glued to the surface. You can get a variety of grits for less than the cost of a single good water stone or diamond plate. I've used primarily sandpapers varying from 40 up to 7000 grit to reprofile & sharpen everything from a plane iron ( no jig), chisels, knives, hatchets, & even a billhook... the latter had a steep recurve, so I took a piece of 2x4 and carved a curve along one edge, clamped sandpaper to it, & it roughly conformed to the curve, allowing a mirror polish all the way up the blade. I'll supplement that with a final touch up on a fine ceramic stone, then strop with 0.1 CBN emulsion on a paddle strop. I find myself going through the rougher grits and finest grits most often, so buying more of each of those extends the time you can get out of the overall setup. Supplement with a few fancier options, be they arkansas stones, water stones, diamond plates, ceramic, what have you, as you can afford them, makes for a pretty versatile setup!

[@screamsofthedead]

Rex, you're a really good teacher! This was very well explained and easy to understand.

[@theMrFouldsy]

Thanks for this Video Rex, I just used it to sharpen an old Stanley plane I picked up recently. I never thought I'd be able to get a tool to work so well! Immediately I was able to get paper-thin shavings and beautiful finish on some scrap bits of wood.

[@Kivlor]

19:46 thanks for this video. I'm not sold on the "scary sharp" talk either, and I'd love to get a grinder later, but this sounds like a decent and thrifty way to keep my tools sharp until I do. Exactly what I was looking for.

[@kdb_1978]

I agree that these videos with Nate make these steps seem attainable! This is a great teaching method as I am sure you are very well aware of. Thanks for these and thanks to Nate for joining in. Great work guys!

[@dennisseemann571]

absolutely the best sharpening lesson I have ever had, the bur discussion has cleared up a lot of questions, thanks for taking the time to explain the mechanics.

[@rockdog2584]

I happened to be passing by a place that does custom stone countertops...and Lo and Behold!...they had a 'scrap bin' of off-cut pieces of granite that was open to anyone that wanted to dive in and salvage whatever they could use. Came home with several pieces. Granted...they are smooth on just one side. Great thing about them is that they are HEAVY and don't slide around much. I've glued thin foam padding material on the back side and they now STICK to my work surface really well! You could use that rubber/foam kind of kitchen drawer liner material just as well. My one suggestion here would be to put a little dish soap in the water that you wet the sandpaper with, or use something like glass cleaner (Windex). It will help keep the sandpaper from clogging up and, thereby, last much longer.

[@domainmojo2162]

I look more clueless, fiddly, and greener than Nate when looking at these videos! :) You guys make a helluva pair!

[@RexKrueger]

Glad you like them!

[@TheKenstarr]

These videos rock! I'm somewhat inexperienced in wood working but good at sharpening things, building things, making knives... But you bring things down to a super basic level and I don't feel talked down to! Where was this 30 years ago!

[@DMC428]

To watch Nate getting teached by you is a great way to learn with him together. This is gorgeous content! Please continue making this videos with Nate.

[@careyholman]

If I could I would 'like' this a thousand times. So clear and easy!

[@mimibecks7049]

Hello, Thank you for posting this video which provides excellent step by step instructions as well detailed explanation on what is going on.

[@joeh4295]

I bought that same honing jig after watching your chisel sharpening video. Great work, thanks!

[@alecfrancis2084]

THANKYOU! For the first time ever I’ve managed to take beautiful full with shavings! Took me a few goes to get it but I got there!

[@MabruBlack]

I really like these videos with Nate! So much information that’s really well explained for newbies and it’s so helpful... I hope that once this quarantine mess is over you both can make more videos together!

[@russcorbett3923]

Awesome video !!! A return to the basics every now and then is a good thing and makes us all reset from any bad habits we may have picked up . Thank Both of y'all !!!

[@RexKrueger]

You're so welcome!

[@mkbcoolman]

I love this video so much. I was very intimidated by sharpening when I first started woodworking, but it's really not that difficult when you get your system down. I use two different setups...sandpaper for grinding and diamond stones w/ strop for honing. For grinding, I have 4 heavy grits of self-adhesive sandpaper stuck to a flat ceramic tile I got from Home Depot for $2. I just went and grabbed a level from the tool dept then went over a couple of tiles until I found one that was dead flat. It's 18" long, so I can take really long strokes when I'm grinding off a new bevel. I also have that roller jig, but I only use it to set a new bevel. I have a Course/Medium/Fine diamond set I bought off of Amazon for honing. Finish it on the strop with some honing compound, and I can shave the hair off my arm. Re-honing takes a minute, as I typically do 15-20 strokes on the medium and fine stones, then give it 10 strokes on the strop and it's back to razor sharp. Once I took an old file I found in the bottom of my toolbox that hand't been used in years (extremely hard steel), and decided to see if I could put an edge on it. In 15 minutes, it was razor sharp. I put a handle on it and actually use it a ton. It's still a file, it's just has a chisel edge on it, and I've been really surprised how handy the file part is.

[@ericburres2875]

Absolutely terrific education with a great relaxed style and sense of humor. I'm hooked. (Darn, now I gotta get rid of that burr!) Keep up the stellar work.

[@georgesweap7]

Nice tutorial on sharpening! Can’t wait until next month on sharpening with stones!

[@vjurbina]

Just received my first jackplane! I'll do all of this process this weekend! Thanks a lot!!

[@brainwashingdetergent4322]

This whole vid explains why my one and only plane is such a turd! It’s a nameless harbor fright plane. I’m in the process of making the English Jointers bench, and I’m at the flatten the top of the frame before adding the table top step. My plane cuts, but even as a layman, I can tell something isn’t right. I shall tune my plane!!! Thanks Rex!

[@AaronTWas]

For those looking to not jump into the fray of over-priced sharpening systems from using sandpaper - In Paul Sellers recent March 11 blog post he discusses the very inexpensive Chinese diamond stones he switched to from his more expensive EZE-Lap stones. He makes a good case for them, saying that they are going strong after a months use - which is more like a year for the hobbyist woodworker. Also, there are multiple comments on the post from other folks saying that they have been using the same stones for years, and they are still going strong. You could put together a system of 3 of these stones for around $15. It hasn’t arrived yet, but I broke down after reading it and ordered a 1500 grit one on Aliexpress to compliment my Trend combination stone - which is 300/1000 (and I did not purchase until I could get it deeply discounted). I was going to wait until I could get the extra fine DMT Stone, but I’ll see how this one does glued to a piece of plywood. It was less than $5 shipped. Pretty sure they are unbranded - on Aliexpress the description is “1 piece Grit Professional Thin Diamond Knife Sharpening Whetstones Polishing Knife Sharpener Plate Grinding Disc Abrasive Stones” A mouthful to be sure, but maybe this could help someone else take their sharpening game up a notch from sandpaper without breaking the bank. I probably wouldn’t bat an eye at the suggestion of these stones Otherwise, but when someone like Paul Sellers says that he switched to them and they are doing well for him, then I at least go, “hmmm?”. Thank you for the great content Rex!

[@jake196.21]

Really awesome video I am a newbie and I have been using the Rob cosman method beforehand except with a honing guide but the stones are very expensive and I just want to build stuff now. This video gives me a lot of details that would've taken me a long time to figure out

[@RexKrueger]

That's what we were aiming for! I'm sure Rob's stuff is very high quality.

[@jordantallmanpao4061]

Loved these videos hope you guys get back to true beginner

[@cliffordduhh45]

I’m just about to start this exact process this weekend for the first time. Looking forward to this, Rex!

[@DGG1984]

Amazing stuff Rex. Learn tonnes every video. It’s super digestible.

[@steveconlon8936]

Excellent questions, Nate. You can tell a lot by a person's questions!

[@RexKrueger]

He's a smart fellow.

[@Apitheous]

Old guy with no woodworking skills and I understood perfectly. Thank you.

[@RexKrueger]

It was our pleasure!

[@myteric117]

I really enjoy your approach in the videos. So far, I'm only a watcher, but am planning to sharpen some old chisels I have that have seen better days. BTW, chromium oxide buffing compound -you said it was chromium and oxygen- that's inaccurate. Chromium oxide is chromium rust, just like iron oxide is iron rust. Oxygen has acted on the metal to (begin to) degrade its structure. Putting chromium oxide into the compound makes the compound have a kind of super-fine 'grit' (like putting grades of sand on paper makes paper have varying 'grit'). Different additives in compounds help with polishing, buffing, even cutting. No, I'm not a chemist or similar, but woodworking isn't the only rabbit hole on youtube.

[@joeseabert8391]

Very good information. When you do the video for the stones, make sure to cover dressing the stone. I have several stones and some I even got from my grandfather. They are all messed up and really not flat.

[@thedaviddabrow]

Rubber cement: I used this for the glue. It's easy to apply and remove from the glass or granite, relatively non-toxic (I used the Elmers from the school supply section) and it held my sandpaper fairly well. Wondering if anyone has any warnings for issues that I might find out the hard way, later. Also, Rex, I can't thank you enough. You're videos helped me get past a mental block and start woodworking, especially with the sharpening, and reduced my startup cost by about a factor of 10.

[@jovimocar]

Very nice video. Your explanation is complete and clear! Thano you so much

[@myxology]

I am going to be starting some hand woodworking in the summer and I've been watching about sharpening for awhile. You answered a bunch of questions that I have not gotten answers to in other videos. Thanks for filling in a lot of gaps. Great video!

[@budm9982]

Old video but its exactly what I needed. Thanks.

[@bradleybarth9939]

I have greatly enjoyed watching these videos. I am a once a month for 6 month woodworker/beer brewer. I live in Wisconsin and with an insulated but un-heated garage I only have a few months where it is comfortable to do wood working. Beer brewing is done in the basement. With all of the videos on planes, chisels, saws and other metal items, how do you go about protecting them when they are unused for a period of time? I think that would be a great video idea to cover.

[@steelpennyforge5152]

Great tutorial! This series is just awesome! I have a very clear understanding of what, how and when of iron prep and maintenance. Wonderful work. Good job getting Nate to do your restoration work for you too!

[@christopherd5941]

I’ve started to really like this channel. I enjoy the subtle humor, the techniques taught, and the in depth explaining. This channel has the potential to create a very strong foundation for new woodworkers, like myself, and I appreciate that.

[@rallen7660]

I've read that original article for "Scary Sharp" and it's hilarious. Same techniques as what Rex shows, but maybe as written by Tim Allen.

[@PurdueJHanna]

I just grabbed a 10 sheet (9" x 11") pack of wet / dry 220, 500, 1000, & 1200 grit paper at Harbor Freight for 4 bucks. I hope it's good enough to try this method.

[@stewartmcmanus3991]

Rex, this is gold mate. Thanks for this, Stewie, South West Australia.

[@oliverwood8505]

I just loved Nate's smile as he saw he had created a camber

[@agamingskipper1121]

Is this series still going, was inspired to get into woodworking from Rex's videos.

[@karolskakes388]

Rex; I agree you do not need to flatten the back of a blade again to a point. For most - a time will come when the cutting edge has moved up the blade to the point of flatting. At that time one will need to reestablish a flat back for max performance. Well put together video - keep them coming.

[@DrIngo1980]

Damn. I watched a bunch (let's say 100, but I honestly do not remember the number) of videos about sharpening chisels, plane blades or kitchen knives so far in my life. But this was really the first one that drove home the important points in a well thought out manner. Thank you! I really like your style and your videos! So, thank you. And thank you Nate for sitting in and playing the clueless new woodworker! Speaking of Nate, Rex, you really should start and honor him in your video descriptions as well! He is kinda missing in this video's description. It's not fair to him to not mention his name in the video description as your co-star (or whatever nomenclature you'd prefer) now, is it? Anyway, love the video nonetheless. Great job!

[@PaulScott_]

You don't necessarily have to buy glass - just keep a look out for discarded aquariums for example. Very thick glass at no cost - mine happens to be from my wife's aquarium that reached the end of its life and now one end of it is my sharpening platform. Thanks for the tip of auto sanding paper!!!!!

[@heylookitssmitty4463]

Get home from work... Get changed for work around the house... Oh Hell, new Rex video... Work around the house can wait...

[@benjaminfrayser4392]

Kids are hungry....dog is chewing shoes.... faucet has been running for 15 minutes... Yep, Rex posted a new video

[@heylookitssmitty4463]

LMFAO!!! 😂

[@heylookitssmitty4463]

😂🤣

[@cujero]

Your videos have helped me a lot, thank you

[@animalivaganti360]

When I read the title I said "oh no, another video about sand paper". I saw the video anyway and I can say that's a very good video about sharpening

[@jodylecompte]

You know Nate is a beginner because you see the "Huh, what does sand paper even feel like -scratch scratch-",. Love this series

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic, Rex! Thanks a lot! 😃 BTW, I just had my first experience with a plane today... And it was a spoke shave! I bought it for really cheap from Banggood and it looks to work pretty nicely! 😃

[@rogercowart2493]

Excellent!! Great teaching technique 👍😉

[@greenpedal370]

Starting with a sheet of glass or MDF and wet and dry is the best way to learn the basis without messing up stones. Additionally I would bin the jig. Learn to do it freehand from the start, that's what cheap chisels are for.

[@James-oj6ck]

Thanks for all the work you have put into these videos. My first Norton stone came in today. I'll get some honing oil tomorrow. Then it will be time to practice. I was going to get the sandpaper but the price of a Norton stone wasn't that much more.

[@morganahoff2242]

17:23 Lots of good info in this video. But Rex forgot to tell Nate, after putting all that work into sharpening the iron...never put a plane down on it's blade; always lay it on its side to prevent damaging the sharpened edge.

[@CindyBallreich]

I don't know how much of this is scripted, but Nate is asking exactly the same questions I'd ask. Please keep up this series.

[@NobodysSon]

Just about to refurbish my father's old hand plane for the first time - thanks for the video!

[@MattiasHandley]

Great stuff. You are nailing it! We need mooooore!

Great video Rex! Love how simple you make it look! Thanks!

[@chefmike69]

Awesome video you can get the 3M automotive sandpaper at Walmart for like three bucks a pack that stuff is good too. Awesome videos Rex

[@kchek]

How about a video where ya take nate to go shopping for tools as a beginner. Say $100 worth :)

[@nightcatarts]

Very comprehensive video, really good job. I look forward to the oilstone one. I use waterstones because it's just a lot less messy, & am interested in seeing whether there's any real difference (other than waterstones generally wearing down more easily).

[@patrickdukeshire3562]

I totally love your videos , I'm learning so much . Thank you big time ! ☺

[@TheEffoff]

Hey Rex, very well explained. Thank you.

[@kurtlan4636]

I know this might be a odd question to ask you, but since your "Sandpaper Sharpening" video works awesome on two of mine old planer restorer projects. I would like to see you making a Knives Sharpening. Thanks!

[@sethmiller1357]

I find it works well to explain grit progression thus: Imagine you're going to dig a swimming pool sized hole that you need EXACTLY 4 feet deep. What tools would you use to do that job? You might start out with a backhoe because it can move a lot of dirt really quickly. However, it won't have the precision to get you to exactly 4 feet deep. So after the backhoe, you switch to a shovel. It moves dirt more slowly, but allows you more control as you approach 4 feet deep. To get it to that perfect 4 feet deep, you would then switch to a hand trowel to take tiny scoops getting even closer. You might finish with a tablespoon searching for that perfect 4 feet deep. Now, you could do the whole thing with a tablespoon, but you'd be crazy to. Backhoe = 220 grit Shovel = 400 grit Hand trowel = 1000 grit. Tablespoon = 1500 grit

[@brunsy1990]

3000 grit baby spoon 6000 grit a flat splinter

[@orange12v]

Another great video, you will have to look more around where you buy things as Stanley back in the day made a sharpening jig with two wheels on it much better than the one you have

[@RexKrueger]

I free-hand sharpen. I just keep the jig for teaching.

[@thedrunkcavemen7182]

Hi rex could you do a video on wood carving for beginners. I have found lots of your videos really helpful and useful, i have just made a new wood mallet using the information from your video. I would like to get into wood carving so please do a video showing the basics.

[@RexKrueger]

I would ALSO like to get into carving, but I don't know much yet. I'll do a video when I have something good to offer. Thanks for the suggestion!!

[@DB-lk5tt]

Every week I get to see something interesting about woodworking from Rex. And every Friday night, I’m in the garage working on something new because Rex lit a fire under my...... ..... ..... Bum. Yah, that’s the word we’ll use.

[@petergrassel3973]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge

[@bryansmith6327]

I am at exactly this point in setting up some planes I acquired. Thank you!

[@joelwaite7965]

Rex, I had a question about some of your earlier videos. I was watching your videos about planes trying to find the best budget plane but I don’t see a conclusion to that, so my question is what would your budget recommendation be? I’m just starting out in woodworking and loving your videos so far thank you for all the great content!

[@abndnd4172]

Great job Nate!

[@jodymontez693]

Thanx for using a newbie, I'm a newbie also and just want to learn without feeling silly for asking questions😞🌲🌳

[@markgarrett2971]

Great content and thanks for the beginner series!

[@Freakcent]

Kudos for Nate for acting so natural, while it was scripted!! :) P.S. You lied! at 0:49

[@RexKrueger]

What makes you say that?

[@kshatriya1414]

Rex Krueger *murdering vibes intensifies*

[@drstefankrank]

@@RexKrueger You said you are not going to touch it any more, but you did later. Only to illustrate, not to work at it, but still touched. :)

[@AB-nv5ti]

I noticed that too. I knew someone would say something. After all, this is the internet. Lol!

[@octavmandru9219]

Nope, the blade had fresh mint flavored rust on. Check a few frames before

[@alecfrancis2084]

Great video guys every question I had Nate asked!

[@gnarthdarkanen7464]

Great tutorial... JUST gonna point out one minor point in shop upkeep where I actually prefer the sandpaper for sharpening... "Funky shaped blades" From groove cutting planes to certain gouges, a shop has a few blades that you simply do not want flat and straight. Here the sandpaper's nature to be flexible comes in extremely handy. You can fashion the "sharpening rig" to fit the tool, glue a sheet down to it, and in a single stroke cover everything. Of course, rigs and jigs can be manufactured for other methods and materials, too... BUT the sandpaper is just too convenient when working on a curved, rounded, or just plain "funky shaped" cutter, regardless of the tool. For all the flat bevels and straight or relatively straight cutting edges, though... a proper stone is the long term way to go. ;o)

[@toolrestoration]

well done for keeping everything simple !