Question: Best Power hone?

AndrosCreations · Jun 21, 2016

I may be in the market for a power hone soon. I've been doing this for long enough to warrant buying a good one.

What's the best option for both quickly roughing blanks, and sharpening/polishing?

I'm sure the GRS is just fine for sharpening, but what about the TWDesigns Power Hone? I've heard it's faster for roughing blanks.

Thanks in advance :tiphat:

dogcatcher · Jun 21, 2016

Not sure if it is the best, but a good one. A homemade power hone, Cliff the maker of this has passed away, so you are kind of on your own if you want to try it. I did make one, actually 2 of them, the extra one is set up for my woodcarving knives. I also used an electrical breaker box for mounting all of the pieces.

http://www.engraverscafe.com/showthread.php?15498-Low-speed-bi-directional-6-quot-power-hone

Omar Haltam · Jun 21, 2016

the TWDesigns power hone is excellent, it is setup to work with Lindsay templates, it is a variable speed so you can control the rpm. Works very well

Marrinan · Jun 21, 2016

I do my roughing on either a 42 in or 72 inch belt grinder, both variable speed. TW is a nice machine and the Lindsay adjustment is automatic. I have two GRS units from when they first came out. They have different kind of switches now. neither has ever failed to do its job. I think it is a personal choice kind of thing. I learned to rough on a grinding wheel keep my blanks cool and it just seems natural to me. No plans to upgrade to TW Variable speed at this time. Fred

tim halloran · Jun 21, 2016

AndrosCreations: The GRS power hone is multi directional, which helps a lot. They also sell a 100 grit diamond wheel which can make short work out of rough grinding a graver. Just don't overheat the tool as your grinding it. Then go no to your higher grits then finish on a cast iron lapp.

Dave London · Jun 21, 2016

MTC the TW unit is a grinder and a hone. Hone being normal slow speed for final finish/polish. YMMV

Doc Mark · Jun 21, 2016

Andy, I have both the Tom White and the GRS hones. I like both, but if I were to chose only one, I would pick the Tom White because of the variable speed. The only drawback is that changing the wheels on the TW takes longer. That is why I kept both hones. I use the TW to rough-in the blank and then the GRS to do the final finishing and polishing the facets.

diandwill · Jun 21, 2016

Doc Mark said:
Andy, I have both the Tom White and the GRS hones. I like both, but if I were to chose only one, I would pick the Tom White because of the variable speed. The only drawback is that changing the wheels on the TW takes longer. That is why I kept both hones. I use the TW to rough-in the blank and then the GRS to do the final finishing and polishing the facets.

What he said! I, too, have both. I like the new multi-directional GRS hone, mine is an old one, but it works just fine. If you use carbide the TW is perfect. With HS steel you have to be careful about overheating, but I still do it...just no pressure. Th TW would be my choice for just one. It works great with the GRS quick change/infinite setting (dual angle) and the easy sharpening fixture (which I just love).

maako · Jun 22, 2016

I use a ryobi that cost about $100, I had to modify it so I could use the GRS and Lindsey sharpening system's and it works fine.

Steve L S · Jun 22, 2016

For me the best power hone is a 25mm dia steel or brass washer charged with various grades of diamond paste in my flex shaft. Occasionally true them up on diamond laps in the drill press on lowest possible speed.

I don’t agree with tool Puritanism or Ludditeism but think the folks at places like “Following the Ironbrush” provide us all with a wonderful vaccine against the rampant commercial virus which insists we only have to open our wallets and can “buy a skill”

Steve

RDP · Jun 22, 2016

Andy, I have a TW one and is excellent, variable speed is a +, and also I have not seen it mentioned, although it is set up for the Lindsay templates (1/2"), you can adjust the height of the diamond lap to suit the GRS sharpening fixture as well, as for some angles I find the fixture bottoms out at the 1/2" height..

Richard.

mitch · Jun 22, 2016

maybe a hybrid set-up of a TW with one of Bob Finlay's 3 disc adaptors? that'd be the cat's .... hindquarters.

AndrosCreations · Jun 22, 2016

Thanks everyone... Some very helpful comments for me here. I may just leave the drill press set up with the roughing wheel... Not sure why I hadn't thought of that before.

Thanks again!

Toad · Jun 28, 2016

I have the Tom White machine. It's the cats meow.

silverchip · Jun 28, 2016

I am surprised to not see one of Tira's machines mentioned here. Have thought of getting one, they look pretty solid!!

Joacim Jansson · Jun 29, 2016

I have had En-Sharp in almost a year.
The advantages are that it is strong, direct drive, adjustable speed 250-750 rpm, you can change the direction of rotation and that it is possible to adjust the plate about 1cm.
Had a Pover hone earlier and tried TW
All three are good, but I have found the one that suits me best.

Bob A · Jun 30, 2016

That's what I use (Tira's machine). It's fabulous.

Crossbolt · Jul 1, 2016

Do these machines (GRS, TW, "Tira's") all use the same 5"-6" discs or is one locked into using a particular supplier of discs for a given machine?
Also which of them allow adjustment of the disc height; I know the TW does but can anyone comment on the others? I'm assume this is most relevant if using the Lindsay type sharpening templates rather than the GRS type drop down sharpening tools.
Also what's the advantage of being able to change direction of rotation?
thanks
Jeremy

Joacim Jansson · Jul 2, 2016

All these machines have a center pegg at Â½ inch
So all discs fit the different brands.
You can adjust the disc height on (Tira's) actually called En-Sharp and produced by SyEnSet, about 1 cm which is sufficient to use Lindsay temple.

Crossbolt · Jul 2, 2016

Thanks; that is useful to know.
Jeremy

Question: Best Power hone?

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