Although I enjoy sharpening my knives and tools of all kinds, planer knives had always intimidated me. It seemed like the precision required would be beyond �homeowner level� sharpening ability and equipment. Others may already know how easy it is to sharpen planer knives, but it was a real discovery to me � and possibly a benefit to others. This morning some nice oak needed to be planed and both sets of knives for my little Delta 22-560 (cheapie 12.5�) model were dull. A new set of knives would cost $20 to $30 on-line and would take some time to arrive. I have no local source. Out of �desperation� I got out my old faithful Craftsman wet grinder, model 146.66995. It is an inexpensive, compact little grinder (that may no longer be available?) with a fine grit wheel approximately 3� in diameter and 2� wide that spins at low rpm through a reservoir for water below the wheel, and a simple adjustable shelf to set angle. Though not very "professional", it has always done a nice job on chisels, even wide ones, scissors, knives and other tools, so why not planer knives? It worked like a charm. I set the angle to duplicate the original, and then was careful to grind the length of the blade pretty consistently and relatively slowly. They were not in terrible condition � only dull, not destroyed. It didn�t take more than ten minutes per knife. After grinding, I finished the job with a set of flat diamond sharpeners ($10 from Harbor Freight), taking another few minutes. What a joy it was to see the planer making nice shavings and producing a beautiful surface. What a sense of achievement, confidence and independence for a few minutes work!
|
