Universal Sharpening System

The Robert Sorby Fingernail Profiler is a simple system which enables the sharpening of bowl and spindle gouges from ¼" to ¾". When sharpening free-hand most turners including some of the most experienced have their difficulties. This leads to facets on the bevel which in turn leads to chatter and a poor surface finish. Once set, this Profiler ensures an even pressure is applied and hence a clean, facet-less bevel is produced. The amount that the blade extends from the Profiler is critical as this determines the shape of the bevel and its angle. By going back to the same length of extension the same profile is achieved automatically thereby eliminating the burning away of expensive high speed steel. All guess-work is eliminated. Thus the Fingernail Profiler not only gives a consistent shape but saves on the need for replacement tools.

The Universal Sharpening System allows the woodworker to sharpen a host of regular shaped tools - like parting tools, scrapers, tips, plane irons, bench chisels. It construction means that its is adjustable for height so it may be used in conjunction with 6" or 8" bench grinders with equal ease. The platform is also adjustable for angle - a handy Angle Finder is included. A nice touch is that the adjusting nuts are all captive so they are not lost in shavings. This robust, all-steel design is an ideal sharpening aid.

The Deluxe Universal Sharpening System is a combination of the Fingernail Profiler and Universal Sharpening System and is a tremendous accessory in every workshop. Its versatility and ease of use have meant that thousands of these systems have been sold to woodworkers who have found sharpening to be one of their main problem areas.

Full fitting instructions included.
Featured on the "Robert Sorby Specialist Tools - Part 2" CD.

Useful tips :

when using the Fingernail Profiler is advisable - once your ideal profile has been achieved - to make a mark or a stop on your bench to ensure that you always go back to the same length of extension.
use a 36 grit wheel for re-shaping and a 80 grit wheel for regular sharpening.
the easiest way to sharpen is little and often - don't wait until your tools are blunt.

Robert Sorby have added some interesting accessories to fit their highly popular Universal Sharpening System. To the many thousands of owners there is now the opportunity to retro-fit some interesting jigs which make tool sharpening not only so much quicker but also much more accurate.

In the original design of the platform Robert Sorby included four holes. These were intended to be used by the woodworker to affix his own sharpening table. Now such a table (ref. 447JAT) is available from the manufacturer. Made from heavy duty steel, this is fitted to the platform and held securely in place by screws. Incorporated in the design is an accurately machined slot into which three jigs fit.

The first of these (ref. PESKEW) is the answer to most turners' prayer as it is angled at 60 degrees on both sides to give an accurate presentation of a skew chisel to the grinding wheel. This ensures both repeatability and consistency for the one of the tools which causes almost every hobbyist turner a headache.

The second (ref. PESQ) allows presentation of the tool at 90 degrees to the wheel. That makes it ideal for sharpening not only the woodturner's square scrapers but also his parting tools. For the cabinet maker this jig offers the further, very real advantage of ensuring his bench chisels are sharpening in a consistent fashion

	Finally there is a vee-shaped jig (PEVB) into which is suitable for holding any round tool especially standard profile turning gouges - whether bowl, spindle or roughing - which always represent a challenge to sharpen free hand.
By using any of the three jigs the woodworker is not only eliminating a lot of guess-work in sharpening but is ensuring that the removal of expensive steel is minimised during the sharpening process.

The novel Tip Holder (472) is an inexpensive sharpening accessory which is designed for holding small tips. These can often be quite difficult to hold. The Tip Holder not only gives the user greater control but also reduces the danger of catching fingers on a belt or wheel.

Code	Description
445	Fingernail Profiler -for bowl and spindle gouges
446	Universal Sharpening System -for parting tools, scrapers, tips, bench chisels, plane irons)
447	Deluxe Universal Sharpening System -combines both the Fingernail Profiler and Universal Sharpening System
445/447UPG	Up-grade Kit -up-grades from a Fingernail Profiler (445) to a Deluxe Universal Sharpening System (447)
446/447UPG	Up-grade Kit -up-grades from a Universal Sharpening System(446) to a Deluxe model (447)
447JAT	Jig Adaptor Table
PESKEW	Skew Chisel Jig
PESQ	Bench Chisel Jig
PEVB	Gouge Jig

Other Sharpening Accessories
Code	Description
453	Aluminium Oxide Wheel 6"x ¾"36 grit
454	Aluminium Oxide Wheel 6"x 1"36 grit
455	Aluminium Oxide Wheel 6"x ¾"80 grit
456	Aluminium Oxide Wheel 6"x 1"80 grit
472	Tip Holder