How to Make an Angle Setting Jig for Sharpening

How to Make an Angle Setting Jig for Sharpening

When I sharpen plane irons and chisels I use a process that combines the use of an angle setting jig with a honing guide in order to reliably produce a razor edge in minutes. In this video, I’ll show you how to make the angle setting jig that pairs best with the Lie-Nielsen honing guide.

How does it work? The little stop blocks along the bottom of the jig allow you to quickly position a blade in a honing guide at various protrusions, which correspond with specific angles commonly used for sharpening (25˚,30˚,35˚,40˚,45˚). There’s even a little 1/8″ shim that allows you to add a 2˚ micro-bevel.

Another nice feature of this angle setting jig, is that it keeps everything all in one place. Having everything you need on a plater means you’re more likely to sharpen more often. I really enjoy how the sharpening stones stay in place between the cleats, but that the stones aren’t fixed in place so I can change grits if I’d like.

Chapters

0:00 Intro
1:16 Gathering Materials
3:15 Making the Base
3:42 Making the Stops
7:57 Painting the Base
11:40 Assembling the Jig

Helpful Links

⁃ No. 62 Low Angle Jack Plane: https://bit.ly/3DOLCme
⁃ Bevel up vs bevel down planes: https://bit.ly/3jOh2S1
⁃ Lie-Nielsen Honing Guide: https://bit.ly/3BJn2Bp
⁃ Alternative Honing Guide: https://amzn.to/38KAWHg
⁃ DMT 8″ Dia-Sharp Diamond Stone: https://bit.ly/3h4p4o6
⁃ Magswitch: https://amzn.to/3BMwRii
⁃ Real Milk Paint: https://www.realmilkpaint.com/ref/starrwoodworks/
⁃ HoneRite Gold: https://amzn.to/2VlKoh8
⁃ Scotch-Brite 7447: https://amzn.to/3zOxRlk
⁃ Scotch-Brite 7445: https://amzn.to/3BO9c0T
⁃ Osmo 1101: https://amzn.to/3zMnT3R
⁃ Osmo 3043: https://amzn.to/3n39rRx
⁃ #8 x 3/4″ Slotted Flat Head Solid Brass: https://bit.ly/3jL5u1K

Stop Block Dimensions (Lie-Nielsen Honing Guide)

25˚ 1-1/2″
30˚ 1- 5/32″
35˚ 7/8″
40˚ 5/8″
45˚ 7/16″

Stop Block Dimensions (Eclipse Honing Guide)

25˚ 2-1/8″
30˚ 1- 9/16″
35˚ 1- 3/16″
40˚ 13/16″
45˚ 9/16″

15 Comments

  1. Cristian Orlandi on May 4, 2022 at 6:58 pm

    Espectacular la plantilla para angulos! Gracias por los detalles de construccion y por sumar al conocimiento comunitario! Cristian, de Argentina



  2. Ben Girdler on May 4, 2022 at 6:59 pm

    @texan_woodworks



  3. Torres Workshop on May 4, 2022 at 7:02 pm

    a much needed jig for any hand tool woodworker for sure. @anibaltorres



  4. Morgan Maeger on May 4, 2022 at 7:11 pm

    @garrethswanson



  5. Tim Corbeau on May 4, 2022 at 7:11 pm

    @vulgairechretien



  6. Todd Ulery on May 4, 2022 at 7:14 pm

    Great to see you starting more long form videos!

    Re: keeping the angle stop blocks square while screwing them in, you (or anyone building this) might try tacking them down with thin CA glue and activator instead of (or prior to) clamping. A pin nailer might also work for this. While square might not matter for plane irons, it will come into play with smaller chisels if you don’t use the same spot to reference every time.



  7. andrew dodd on May 4, 2022 at 7:20 pm

    Sorry, couldn’t take you seriously because of the soup strainer you’re sporting.



  8. Warda Mansoor on May 4, 2022 at 7:20 pm

    @mahreen.kamal317



  9. Ken Horner on May 4, 2022 at 7:21 pm

    Love the highly scientific term "Wee waw". Thanks for sharing this informative video. Sharpening for relatively new woodworkers like me can be intimidating, and it need not be with a jig like this.



  10. Philip Chandler on May 4, 2022 at 7:27 pm

    Thanks so much



  11. Alexis Perdrix on May 4, 2022 at 7:36 pm

    Well done..! Good to see you..!



  12. David Massey on May 4, 2022 at 7:39 pm

    Very good presentation of useful information. Thanks for posting.



  13. Jacob Norman on May 4, 2022 at 7:47 pm

    @jandjcrafted



  14. Gareth Swanson on May 4, 2022 at 7:49 pm

    @garethswanson



  15. Starr Woodworks on May 4, 2022 at 7:51 pm

    When the video hits 1,000 views I’ll choose a winner 🙌