Troubleshooting
Uneven Bevel or Micro-Bevel Width
Normally this isn’t a problem as long as the cutting edge of the blade
is true. It is usually indicative of uneven hand pressure applied over
the width of the sharpener. Use two hands with your fi ngers evenly
spread across the width of the sharpener to avoid this problem.
Uneven Blade Edge
This can result in jointed or planed boards having concave or convex
surfaces. The most common cause is an untrue lapping surface.
Inspect the surface with a straightedge held across the width of the
surface and check for gaps.
Another cause may be foreign material lodged between the blade and
the face of the sharpener, forcing the blade to bow when clamped in
place. Ensure both surfaces are clean and free of debris.
Tearing the Abrasive Sheet or Premature Wear
More likely to occur on the fi ner abrasives. Applying too much
pressure on the push stroke may tear the sheet, or shave the particles
off, causing premature wear.
Additional Tips
Obtaining the Finest Possible Edge
If you want the fi nest possible edge for knives and blades, use
progressively fi ner micro-abrasive sheets to bring both surfaces
to a keen edge (see
Accessories
). Applying a fi ner abrasive sheet
to the unused face of the glass plate makes it a doubly useful
lapping plate.
Sharpening a Set of Knives
For planer and jointer blade sets, the position stops make it quick
and easy to duplicate bevel and micro-bevel angles when sharpening
several blades in succession. Begin by fl attening the face of each
blade. Clamp the fi rst blade in the jointer blade sharpener and set
the position stops as well as the adjusting screw (loosen only the
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