Sharpening wheel

[Mcdust]

Good morning, does anyone here have any experience with these stones?
I know nothing about them but have been looking for something that will put an edge on my axes etc.
I’m assuming there are different varieties of stone?
Seller has told me that it’s not perfectly round as in it’s probably not intended for high speed.
It is pedal operated.
Ideally I’d like to be able to sharpen mower blades, chisels whatever with it but maybe these just were not intended for this purpose?
It’s about 2 hrs from me and he says 80 dollars
Worth it? What problems do I need to watch out for?
Thanks

Save your gas and buy a low speed (1725 rpm) 8" bench grinder. you will want a different stone for fine grinding like delicate chisel and plane edges. I have a white one which runs cool, recommended and sold by Todd Tool and Abrasive. you may be able to get the grinder from Harbor Fright. Good luck

 

[Fred in BC]

What McDust said for rough stuff like splitting mauls and first pass for sharpening chisels, knives, planer blades.
A big diameter wheel (8 or 10 inch) can give you a hollow ground edge, with a little practice. Hollow ground makes it easier to hand sharpen to a really fine edge
Stationary belt sander works well, 220 grit belt will get things pretty sharp. You can burn the sharp edge if you're not careful. Keep a bucket of water handy, and dip the blade often.
Haven't tried a flap disc, but I like them for other stuff.

For chisels and knives, after the wheel, lay a sheet of good quality wet and dry sand paper on a sheet of glass, or other really flat surface, start with 220 grit, then 400 grit. Wet the paper with water or oil.
A sheet of the good, black wet and dry paper will last a long time if you sand wet.

For a sharp edge, you need to strop the edge after you sharpen with abrasives. Old leather purses are a good source of stropping leather.

If you want to get into sharpening, a cheap jeweler's loup is a good investment. You can see the sharp edge, and the burr that the strop removes.

If you get your chisel sharp enough to shave hair off your arm, you will be amazed at how much more accurate your wood work can become.

 

[redmt]

Just to add my .04 worth,,, I have a 20" with electric motor and a 6-1 reduction on it. It pretty cool conversation piece. I also have a 1935 Yates American. It's on a massive cast iron stand and trough. The stone alone weighs 780#.

 

[Jstpssng]

And now there are much better ways to keep weeds under control

You've got that right! I have about half of a dozen implements using various methods, and every one of them is powered by something other than my back.

 

[jigs_n_fixtures]

You can round the old pedal wheels, with a diamond stone, or a wheel dresser. They are very soft. All you need to do is clamp on a cross piece to hold a tool stable.

 

[Little Red Tractor]

I think you'll find that it'll do a nice job on an axe, but it'll take some doing to develop a feel for it. I had my grandfather's tucked in the corner of my garage, but finally got tired of it just taking up space and gave it to a guy who likes to tinker making swords. Don't know if he's still using it or if the novelty has worn off for him as well.