Workshop Heaven PSA Scary Sharpening Kit + Kell No. 3 MkII
The kit contains: 5 sheets each of 40 micron, 30 micron and 5 micron PSA-backed lapping film.
Originally developed for polishing fibre optics 3M PSA-backed lapping film is fast cutting abrasive system that provides precise, consistently uniform, close-tolerance finishes. A high-strength polyester film backing is coated with premium, micron-graded mineral particles that are electrostatically oriented for greater cutting efficiency. The particles are bonded into a layer of resin that wears away slowly for increased durability. PSA is the acronym for Pressure Sensitive Adhesive and is a heavy duty version of the adhesive on the back of a Post-It note.
A rock solid, 2 kilo block of dead flat of 10mm thick float glass
This provides the ideal substrate for use with sheet abrasives.
A 100ml bottle of Camellia Oil
This light, non hardening oil is pressed from the seeds of the tea plant (not to be confused with tea tree oil). Excellent stuff for preventing corrosion on tools, it also makes an ideal lubricant for scary sharpening.
1 Richard Kell No.3 Mark II honing guide.
The No.3 MkII is the latest of Richard's guides, it delivers precise control over straight, skewed or cambered blades up to 2-3/8" wide.
To use
Cut each sheet into strips, peel the backing and fix a strip of each grade next to each other on the piece of float glass applying firm pressure for an even secure bond, be careful to squeeze out any air bubbles. Spread a drop of camellia oil (or water if you are using this method in conjunction with waterstones) on the surface of the lapping film to lubricate the process and prevent swarf from building up.
Work down the grits, using a honing guide if you prefer (we recommend Richard Kell's guides as particularly suitable for use with this system), start with white (40 micron/800grit) on the main bevel.
Then move onto green (30 micron/1000grit) using a slightly steeper angle to create a microbevel on the tip of the blade, then brown (5 micron/6000grit) to polish the microbevel to a mirror finish.
A few strokes on the back of the blade using the edge of the 5 micron film will remove the burr and leave you with an exquisitely fine edge
Each section of abrasive can be used many times before it becomes worn, I like to use a fairly short stroke and then work my way down the strip as each section eventually wears. When I reach halfway, I rotate the glass and start again from the other end, thus ensuring that the whole strip is used efficiently. You can re-hone the microbevel several times using just the green and brown sheets before you need to do the main bevel again, an intermediate honing should only take a few strokes on each and have you back to work in less than two minutes.
Price:
£84.95 (Incl. VAT)
