Handyman Guide > Sharpening Tools

SHARPENING TOOLS

All tools with cutting edges must be kept sharp if they are to be of any real use. The method of sharpening will depend upon the kind of tool and its special requirements.

If a tool is very dull and the cutting edge has been nicked, grinding is necessary before the blade can be sharpened. Grinding can be done either on a grindstone or on an emery wheel. Care should be taken, in using a power-operated emery wheel, to avoid overheating the blade. Overheating due to griding will destroy the temper in the metal, and the blade will never be able to hold a good edge. A grindstone is better for this operation, as it cuts more slowly and the water applied to the stone will keep the metal sufficiently cool.

To grind and sharpen straight edge tools, such as chisels and planes, hold the bevel side of the blade against the wheel so that the wheel rotates towards the cutting edge. The bevel should be ground to an approximate 25 degree angle. To be sure of getting an even bevel along the blade, move the blade back and forth as the wheel turns. A guide can be attached to the grindstone on which to rest the blade, and this will help keep the right angle. Stop as soon as this angle is obtained.

The actual sharpening of the blade is done on an oilstone. A light film of oil should first be applied to the stone. Place the blade so that the bevel rests flat on the stone, then slightly raise the back of the blade. Move the blade back and forth, using the entire surface of the stone to avoid hollowing the stone in the center. A tiny wire edge will form on the back of the blade as the edge appears, and this can be removed by placing the blade flat on the stone and moving it back and forth a few times.

If an especially keen edge is desired, strop the edge of the tool on a leather strop.

NAILS

There are many kinds of nails, but for home repair work and small building projects, the home mechanic will find that wire nails are best suited to his needs.

The wire nail, as its name implies, is made from steel wire. It is inexpensive, comes in a wide assortment of sizes and shapes, and has good holding power. The other kind of nail that the home mechanic may have occasion to use is the cut nail. This nail is stamped out of sheet steel and is used for such purposes as flooring. It is somewhat more expensive than the wire nail.

The size of nails is designated by the term "penny," expressed as 2d. This term has come down through the years, and doubt remains as to its origin.

The smallest nail-size measured by the "penny" system is the 2d, which is one inch long. Nails under 2d are classified as brads or tacks, and are measured by the inch.

There are many kinds of wire nails. The common wire nail can be used for most rough work where a finished appearance is not required. The clinch wire nail is made of softer steel, which makes it easier to bend over at the end. The finishing nail has a very small head so that it may be set below the surface of the wood and be as inconspicuous as possible. Finishing nails should be used on furniture and for interior work.

There is a wide assortment of galvanized, rustproof nails for use with wood or composition shingles on roofs.

Nails are sold by the pound or by the barrel.

Continue Nails



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The Workshop
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Elements of the House - Building Materials - Lumber - Molding - Kinds of Wood and their Characteristics - Plywood Wallboard - Roofing Materials - Concrete - Mixing Concrete - Cement Mortar - Concrete Forms - Concrete Blocks - Cinder Blocks - Bricklaying - Fieldstone - Anchoring in Masonry - Soldering.

Furniture
Upholstered Furniture - Furniture Upkeep - Removing Stains - Removing Dents - Leather Upholstery - Cane Seats - Furniture Repairs - How to Repair Breaks - Levelling furniture - Remodeling Furniture - Polishes and Polishing - French Polishing - Painting Furniture - Sticking Drawers - Metal Furniture.

Painting
Paint Brushes - Storing Brushes - Varnish - Water Paint and Plastic Paint - Types of Paint - Paint Thinners - Mixing Paints - Preparing the Surface - Painting Flaws - Removing Paint - Exterior Painting - Painting New Wood - Repainting - Metal - Interior Painting - Calcimine - Painting Woodwork - Old Wood Trim - Staining - Fillers - Varnishing - Bleaching - Enameling - Painting Radiators - Painting Concrete - Shingles - Stoves and Stove Pipes - Whitewash.

Heating
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Plumbing
The Plumbing System - Fresh water supply - Low Water Pressure - Hot Water System - Hot Water Heaters - Hot Water Tanks - Dirty Hot Water - The Sewage System - Sewage Disposal - Cesspools - Septic Tanks - Clearing Sewer Pipes - Clearing Drains - Plumbing Traps - Toilet Traps - Noisy Plumbing - Leaks in Water Tanks - Frozen Pipes - Clogged Water Pipes - Hard Water - Faucets - Shower Mixing Valves - Leaky Flush Tanks - Flush Valves - Removing Toilet Bowl - Leaky Pipes - Draining the Plumbing - Sealing Traps - Draining the Heating System - Types of Pipe - Insulating Pipes - Water Corrosion - Cleaning Fixtures.

Electricity
Definition of Terms - Ohm's Law - Alternating and Direct Current - Sources of Electrical Power - The Electrical System - Overloading the Circuit - Rewiring - Reading a Meter - Precautions - Fuses - Types of Cord - Splicing Wires - Replacing Plugs and Switches - Home Lighting - Electric Motors - Signaling System - Transformers - Burglar Alarms - Repairing the System - How to Install a Bell System.

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