Fine woodworking tools can be likened to a kitchen knife in the aspect of their maintenance. Regular use of the tools causes wear and tear which can cause them to become dull, thereby reducing their utility. A dull saw would consume more time in cutting a piece of wood. Likewise, using a dull drill bit would be quite a tedious job in comparison to using a sharp drill bit.
The main thing is that it is important to keep the fine woodworking tools sharp and in good shape. It is important to realize the value of proper maintenance of all your popular woodworking tools. There are as many sharpening and grinding tools and methods, as there are different types of woodworking tools. The tool also plays an important part in determining the type of sharpening device and method. It is also a matter of personal preference.
Drill Bit Sharpener
The following tools are the most commonly found sharpening or grinding tools
Sharpening Stones
Sharpening stones are perfect sharpening and grinding tools. This tool helps in sharpening knives, scissors, plane blades and other fine woodworking tools. These stones come in lots of different sizes and shapes, and are frequently manufactured from quarried stone or man-made substance. They are not self powered and come in various grades, calculated through the grit size particles of the stone itself. The grit size is directly proportional to the quality of finish of a sharpening and grinding operation. This implies that finer the grit, the finer the finish of a sharpening and grinding procedure. However, this also means that the sharpening and grinding procedure will take more time in completion as finer grits remove lesser material, compared to a rougher grit. Whetstones, oilstones and Japanese water stones are examples of this type of grinding and sharpening tools.
Files
A file is used to shape a material by scraping and scuffing it. A file is an instrument with sharp parallel ridges which cover a hardened steel bar. A file is essentially a hand tool and is handy for sharpening and grinding tools used for cutting, like saws, knives and chisels.
Bench Grinder
A bench grinder is a machine apparatus which is used for making fine finishes on the surface. Based on the sort of wheel mounted on its motor, it can be utilized as a polisher, a buffer or a sharpening and grinding tool.
These stationary devices are commonplace in a woodworker's shop. Their advantages are that they are fast sharpeners, dynamic and are multipurpose. They can be used for tool sharpening as well as sanding. They are the perfect sharpening and grinding tool. They are fast, precise and user friendly and are hassle free.
Apart from these commonly used sharpening and grinding tools, mentioned above, there are many others available in the market. However, these tools are universally used as they are multipurpose. It is imperative to ensure that the fine woodworking tools be subject to good and regular maintenance. This will ensure an excellent outcome for your project and also help in maintaining work superiority and efficiency.