Best sharpening system // fixture for brand new (broke) beginner?

terrapinstation · Jan 5, 2024

Hey all! Sorry for posting so much in the past couple to days but I am having some issues figuring out what the best tools to buy is. As far as sharpening fixtures go, is it best to buy the dual angle from GRS or the lindsey plates? I am willing to save up for a power hone if nessasary but eager to get started.

The reason I am hesitant about the plates is I want to be able to sharpen any graver (round or HSS QC GRS gravers). Will the dual angle be able to handle all of these? Can I use the dual angle on just a sharpening stone?

Thanks so much everyone!

AJB · Jan 5, 2024

Being a novice, I usually prefer to see the experts’ answers rather than offering my opinion.

However, the sharpening system you choose needs to align with the engraving tools you have. If you go with a quick change collet system, then the GRS Apex would match up well. If you will be using square gravers without collets, then Lindsay templates would work. I’m not sure about the dual angle.

If you share the exact engraving tools you plan to acquire, the experts will should be able to give sound recommendations on sharpening systems.

I learned the hard way about matches and mismatches. I use direct mount square gravers, and then acquired an GRS Apex style fixture. These systems don’t match up, but I was able to craft a collet with a square hole that I leave mounted permanently to the fixture as a work around.

terrapinstation · Jan 6, 2024

ahhh ok. That makes a lot of sense. I was hoping for a sharpening fixture that was a one size fits all. Ideally I was going to use the HSS QC GRS gravers, as well as square graver blanks.

Thanks for the response!!

terrapinstation · Jan 6, 2024

AJB said:
Being a novice, I usually prefer to see the experts’ answers rather than offering my opinion.

However, the sharpening system you choose needs to align with the engraving tools you have. If you go with a quick change collet system, then the GRS Apex would match up well. If you will be using square gravers without collets, then Lindsay templates would work. I’m not sure about the dual angle.

If you share the exact engraving tools you plan to acquire, the experts will should be able to give sound recommendations on sharpening systems.

I learned the hard way about matches and mismatches. I use direct mount square gravers, and then acquired an GRS Apex style fixture. These systems don’t match up, but I was able to craft a collet with a square hole that I leave mounted permanently to the fixture as a work around.

for the apex specifically, as long as I have a graver that fits into a collet ((i.e., - a GRS square graver that fits into a 1/8th collet or a HSS QC graver that fits into a collet) would it work? And can I use that system on sharpening stones or do I need a hone?

sorry for all the questions!

allan621 · Jan 6, 2024

I would actually call GRS and ask them. I've always found them extremely helpful when I have a question about one of their products. 800-835-3519.

rweigel · Jan 7, 2024

To solve the broke/no budget problem, you could start out with a template system. Do you have acces to some basic machining? A saw, a file, a lathe and a drilling machine suffice to built working templates. I did so in the start, before I found a second hand Dual Angle support. If interested in the details, please contact me per PM.

Cheers

Ralf

terrapinstation · Jan 7, 2024

allan621 said:
I would actually call GRS and ask them. I've always found them extremely helpful when I have a question about one of their products. 800-835-3519.

To be fully honest I forgot that was an option. Thank you!

terrapinstation · Jan 7, 2024

rweigel said:
To solve the broke/no budget problem, you could start out with a template system. Do you have acces to some basic machining? A saw, a file, a lathe and a drilling machine suffice to built working templates. I did so in the start, before I found a second hand Dual Angle support. If interested in the details, please contact me per PM.

Cheers

Ralf

I work as a jewelers apprentice so I have access to everything except a lathe. I will PM you!

mtlctr · Jan 7, 2024

Chujybear · Jan 7, 2024

I’d say the plates are your budget solution, as you can get by with only a very few geometries.. could probably just do 90, I know many who rarely stray far from that….. even cheaper is to sharpen by eye..

AJB · Jan 7, 2024

This might help:

AJB · Jan 7, 2024

You might also look at this:

Lynton McKenzie engraving class handouts

Special thanks for Jay Close for scanning these so we can make them available to Cafe members. These are handouts that Lynton gave his class back in 1989. Some of the information pertains to a sharpening system that Lynton produced. I've only seen one of them so I don't know how many are out...

engraverscafe.com

Sam · Jan 8, 2024

I'm a GRS guy all the the way. The Apex system is capable of sharpening nearly anything you'll ever need including flats, rounds, v-point gravers of various geometries, etc. If you are using GRS handpieces one single Apex fixture might be all you'll ever need.

For pure speed I also use the GRS EasyGraver fixtures for 105s and 120s. They don't do anything the Apex can't do except complete the task in mere seconds.

EThomas · Jan 8, 2024

Probably not the most popular option these days, but there's something to be said for learning to sharpen by hand, eye, and feel. It's certainly a steeper learning curve, but once you get it, you get it. Very low cost, too.

Tom White · Jan 10, 2024

Well for me personally use the Lindsay templates all the way. You can get by initially with the Universal template and the Flat, Knife template and naturally I use my TW Designs power hone but you can use any flat plate abrasive as long as you get the correct height for the template system. Please I am not thumping products I do NOT want to fight I am simply offering an opinion.
Tom White
TW Designs

dogcatcher · Jan 14, 2024

I went down several Rabbit holes looking for an an answer. My last method was making a gem faceter based on plans I found on the internet. It works best for me.

I did find a good instructable for making templates. By the way the templates can be used for doing gem facetting. Crude but fun.

Making a Graver and Template Set for Engraving

Making a Graver and Template Set for Engraving: so in this instructable, I am going to show you how to make a set of gravers with the template. From past 3-4 weeks, I am researching on engraving and I found myself so much attraction towards this work that I decided to step into this new kind of w…

www.instructables.com

I'm not a pro engraver, I am a woodcarver using engraving to improve my relief carving

mtlctr · Jan 16, 2024

dogcatcher said:
I went down several Rabbit holes looking for an an answer. My last method was making a gem faceter based on plans I found on the internet. It works best for me.

I did find a good instructable for making templates. By the way the templates can be used for doing gem facetting. Crude but fun.

Making a Graver and Template Set for Engraving

Making a Graver and Template Set for Engraving: so in this instructable, I am going to show you how to make a set of gravers with the template. From past 3-4 weeks, I am researching on engraving and I found myself so much attraction towards this work that I decided to step into this new kind of w…

www.instructables.com

I'm not a pro engraver, I am a woodcarver using engraving to improve my relief carving

Hey Catcher, as a woodcarver you sharpen your chisels by hand i guess?

Winstonklein · Jan 19, 2024

I am a stone setter. Whenever I have an engraving commission, I tend to sharpen my gravers the old way.
here is a good illustrative video.

mtlctr · Jan 20, 2024

Thanks for sharing, hand sharpening a craft in its own right.

Meshach · Jan 20, 2024

Do you have access to a 3D printer? I use GRS QC collets on almost all my tools and have modled several basic templates that I use all the time.. easy fast and although the length of the tool changes the angles minutely I have had no noticeable issues and quite repetitive angles..
It helps speed wise to have a powerhone of some sort with them, I just have a basic one that I made a few years ago but the templets could easily be used with just a diamond plate. If there is an interest I would be willing to share my STL files as long as there is no policy against it..

Best sharpening system // fixture for brand new (broke) beginner?

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