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The fixture is a tilt type sharpener that uses templates. The fixture consists of a body, a holding
nut, a length gauge and templates.
This short tutorial illustrates the use of diamond bench stones to grind the point. A power hone can also be used, but grinding a Carbalt graver blank with diamond
bench stones can be accomplished in a few minutes. Once a point is to shape, it is easy to touch up the point with a diamond bench stone. |
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First, place the smaller template on the fixture. Templates have a small pin protruding from one side. Line the pin up with the
slot in the body as shown.
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The template is now in position on the fixture with the pin lined up and in the slot. |
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Thread the nut onto the fixture to keep the template in place. |
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Tighten the nut with your fingers. It only needs to be snug. |
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Insert a 3/32" graver blank into the collet in the nose of the fixture. |
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Set the length gauge over the graver. |
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Adjust the length of the graver blank so that it is flush with the end of the gauge and tighten the thumb screw to hold the graver blank in place. |
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Using the 260 grit 1/2" thick diamond bench stone, grind the top three facets on the top of
the point.
Set fixture and bench stone down on a flat, smooth surface. |
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Position your hand as shown and rub the graver back and forth against the stone. |
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Roll the fixture over to one of the other two top facets and grind them. |
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The top three facets of the point are now finished. Grind the top two side facets the
same amount so they are even with each other.
Grinding these three facets will determine how far the point is tapered down. You may come back after the
point is finished and grind on these more if you desire the graver point to have a thinner taper. |
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Next, roll the fixture over and grind the two long relief facets on the bottom of the graver. Grind these
somewhat evenly too. If they are not perfectly even, it will not matter. |
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The bottom two facets are now finished. |
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Remove the small template and install the larger one. The larger template is for grinding the face of
the graver and the two heels.
The picture at the left shows the face being ground. |
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The face of the graver is now finished |
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Change to a 600 or 1200 grit diamond stone and grind the face more for a finer finish. For a
polished face, change to the 2000 grit diamond stone. |
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Finally, grind the two tiny heel facets. Be careful not to grind them too large. Finish the heels
with the 2000 diamond stone for a brighter engraving cut, if desired.
Rather than grinding from side to side it may be desirable to place the heels on by rubbing to-and-fro. |
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The two tiny heel facets are completed and the graver is now finished and ready for engraving.
Leave the larger template on the fixture for quick touch-ups when the point becomes dull or if the point breaks. Be
sure to place (index) the graver back in the fixture the same way and use the length gauge. |
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If desired, a power hone can be utilized instead of bench stones. In order for the fixture to work properly,
the distance from the surface that the fixture sits on to the grinding surface needs to be 1/2". Measure this distance on your power hone and
if it is not 1/2" use something to sit on the surface to adjust the distance to 1/2". |
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The power hone pictured here is grinding one of the top three facets to taper the point to make an overall
smaller point and face. |
