gingery_machines @Wiki sharpening

Sharpening & Grinding Cutters

sharpening single tooth cutters

sharpening multiple tooth cutters

files

It is quite easy to sharpen files by electrolisis. I find

resharpened files cut better and give a better finish than new ones. I do

mine in 4% sulphuric acid. It can be done with mixes of nitric and

Hydrocloric or nitric and sulphuric, but these require much stronger acid

concentrations. You need a container as deep as your longest file and at

least 1"to 2" bigger in diameter. Rig a clamp to support the file in the

center, it will be connected to the positive. For the negative, I use a coil

of 1/16" copper wire with about 1/2" space between the coils. It needs to be

1/2" to 1 1/2" biger than the widest file. I use a 6 volt 2 amp battery

charger for small files and switch to the 12 volt setting for large files.

Before starting clean the files thoroughly with a wire brush and if

neccessary with hot water and caustic soda. Small fine files take about 5 to

10 minutes. Coarse file like the millenicut or dreadnaught files will take 2 to 3 hours. After etching rinse well in hot water and dry.

A litle WD 40 or light oil will prevent rusting, as clean etched files will

start to rust very quickly.

You can feel when a file is sharp with your finger. Have fun.

(*1)

bandsaw blades

straight milling cutters

straight reamers

helical cutters and end mills

dressing grinding stones

flattening a wet stone with sandpaper and a piece of plate glass

star washer dressers

single point dressers (diamond points, carbide points)

honing cutters