The Universal Sharpening System (ref. 446) simplifies the sharpening of more square or rectangular tools, like bench chisels, plane irons and turners’ scrapers. There are also some optional extra jigs which also make it ideal for roughing gouges and skew chisels. The System itself is adjustable for height and so can be used in conjunction with a 6", 7" or 8" bench grinder. The angle of the platform is also adjustable to cater for the different bevel angles appropriate to tools – a handy angle finder is included to help set angles consistently. The design also incorporates two nice features. Firstly the adjusting nuts are held captive so there is no fear of losing them in saw dust and shavings. Secondly there are screw slots – rather than screw holes – so that as the grinding wheel wears the System can be moved closer to the bench grinder. In order to use the extra jigs an Adaptor Table (ref. 447JAT) needs to be fitted to the platform. This features a groove into which extra jigs can be positively located to give extra control.
Understanding the Robert Sorby Universal Sharpening System