There is a new sharpening tool on the horizon...

[Jim Small]

There is a new sharpening tool on the horizon.
A good friend of mine Paul Hamler, the gentleman who designs and builds miniature tools seen here on this forum, has been working on a new sharpening device since the Atlanta Blade Show. The tool is, in my opinion, the latest and most unique design in graver sharpening being produced today. According to Steve Lindsay, who has been working with Paul, has decided to introduce the tool at the FEGA show in Reno. I along with Ray Cover and Brian Marshall have been lucky enough to beta test the new tool for the last couple of weeks. I have been fortunate enough to have had the pre-prototype for well over a month and I have to tell you it is the easiest and most repeatable tool sharpener I have ever used. The three of us have been held to secrecy so discussing the design is not going to happen. The only thing I can tell you is?.it will sharpen faster and more accurately than any of the other popular designs on the market. The great thing about the Hamler tool is its repeatability. If you want to re-sharpen?well all I can say it is easy and accurate The tool will do all the prescribed bevels, facings, and compound healings that the Patented Lindsay Point prescribes too. The tool comes with different collets that offer to you the use of different types of gravers. I also understand, and I don?t have one, there is a collet that will take the GRS quick change collet. With the Hamlerl Tool I sharpened two new carbalt gravers in just a tad over eight minutes using a new 260 grit diamond hone. That is hard to beat.
I think this is exactly what our industry has been looking for?.We need to take our hats off to Paul Hamler and Steve Lindsay for pushing this new development to fruition. I hope that Brian and Ray will drop by and give their evaluation so that we can hear all sides of the story.
Jim

[Brian Marshall]

I agree with Jim, pretty sweet tool...

It will sharpen ANY graver grind I?ve ever seen, and maybe even a new one I?ve been experimenting with.

So far, I?ve sharpened about 40 gravers with it ? and each group came out identical under the microscope. (Flats, 90?s, 110?s, liners, round bottoms, facet faces, and rounded faces)

Not a bobble in the fixture. Another amazing new tool to add to the arsenal... and hide from your wife!

Brian P. Marshall
Stockton Jewelry Arts School
Stockton, CA USA
209-477-0550
instructor@jewelryartschool.com
www.jewelryartschool.com

[Ray Cover Jr]

I am very impressed with it so far.

There has been a bit of confusion about what the tool will do. I have heard some back channel chatter that has mentioned that he tool will ONLY do the patented Lindsay point. Not so. I really don't use anything wider than a 90 on my graver belly. I have even had good success sharpening bulino gravers with 70 degree bellies on this. Standard triangle heels, uniform heels, flat heels, rocked heels, etc. Its all possible with this fixture. Every improvement that I could think of to do the current list of sharpening fixtures has been done on this one.

Make your wish list in a sharpening fixture and this one is likely to fill it.

Jim mentioned faster. I sharpen my gravers in batches of ten. Each morning I sharpen ten of what ever gravers I am using for the day. This fixture is saving me an average of 15 minutes per batch of ten. I figured it up and that is saving me between 1 and 2 weeks a year of work time.

I wish I could give a list of the things I like about this fixture but as Jim said we agreed not to give any "How it works" secrets away until it has had its public debute. Steve and Paul are shooting to have this thing ready to debute it at the FEGA show in reno.

Ray

[JMW]

Jim a question please. You state that it took you 8 mintes to sharpen the two gravers. How long would the it have taken using your previous method? As an interested comsumer I would be curious. I understand the real value maybe the accuracy.

Thanks
Mike

[peterinct]

My wish is that the price is reasonable. I have NO doubt it will perform as described.

Peter

[Jim Small]

Peter....I am afraid I don't know what the price is going to be. I just know that what ever it is, with in reason, it should be worth every bit of the total.

Mike
Understand...I was using a new 260 grit diamond hone. In the same case with the other sharpener it took about 15 to 20 minutes per graver....that's start to finish. With this new tool it is much faster and more accurate. When I mentioned repeatability...each tool is sharpened exactly the same. All points on the graver will be finished and sharpened the same. I guess the bottom line is accuracy....and when you are working with those fine lines under the microscope you want consistency and as close to absolute tool control as you can get. This new tool gives you that.
Jim

[peterinct]

Do I understand correctly in that the new tool is used to hold the graver and you would use your existing abrasive or is it a complete system?

It sure does sound exciting. Wish I were able to attend FEGA in Reno!

Peter

[Jim Small]

Peter
The new sharpening fixture will hold any of the gravers out there. You still have to use your existing power hone. I do understand that Steve Lindsay will be offering a new power hone very soon. I have purchased in the past few months a couple of diamond plate from Steve which are 6 inches diameter. I still use the ones from GRS...even though well worn...they are still very effective.
You might want to contact Steve and find out the status of the Lindsay Power Hone.
Jim

[peterinct]

Originally, I purchased the 260, 600 and 1200 grit laps from GRS with my Power Hone. I then added an 80 grit lapidary diamond lap. The 80 grit was a huge time saver when taking a lot of material off.

Some others had mentioned spending a lot of time sharpening and it was suggested to get some coarser grit laps.

I was looking at Paul Hamler's website and his miniature tools are the "holy grail" for tool collectors. I would love to be able to see them in person some time.

It should be very interesting to see the new equipment.

Peter