The Best Wood Lathe Tool Sharpening System in 2024
As a woodturner, it’s crucial to keep your tools sharp for a variety of reasons that will make your turning experience more fun, in this review of the best wood lathe tool sharpening system I’ll show you some great options to keep your tools in tip top condition when it comes to sharpness.
Sharp tools are the key to getting great results in woodturning and indeed all woodworking tasks, when a tool is dull, it requires more force to make a cut, which can lead to the tool slipping or digging into the wood unexpectedly.
Having a sharp tool will make clean, precise cuts with minimal effort, allowing you to focus on the creative aspects of woodturning.
A sharp tool will leave a smooth, clean surface on the wood, resulting in a higher quality finished product that you can be proud of. A dull tool, on the other hand, will leave a rough, uneven surface that will require additional sanding or finishing work to achieve a smooth finish. This not only takes more time and effort, but it can also compromise the overall appearance and quality of the finished piece, which as we all know as woodworkers can be frustrating.
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Top Pick
Tormek T-8 Hand Tool Kit
The top pick choice in this review of the best wood lathe tool sharpening system is the Tormek T-8 Hand Tool Kit it’s a comprehensive sharpening system designed for a wide range of edge tools, including wood chisels, carving tools, plane irons, spoke shaves, wood lathe turning tools, knives, axes, and so much more.
It is made from metal with a die-cast zinc top and impact resistant ABS plastic, as well as stainless steel hardware, all of which contribute to its durability and long-lasting use. The T-8 also has an industrial quality motor, providing reliable and efficient performance. For added reassurance, the Tormek T-8 Hand Tool Kit comes with a 7-year warranty. In terms of size, the T-8 measures 13 inches in length, 9 inches in width, and 10 inches in height, so it shouldn’t take up too much of your workbench space, It weighs 19.84 pounds, making it easy enough to transport about.
An outstanding feature of the Tormek T-8 is its dual grit 1-5/8″ wide sharpening stone, which turns at a slow 120 RPM to prevent overheating and loss of temper in your blades. This is really important for woodturners, as overheated blades can become brittle and prone to chipping.
In addition to the sharpening stone, the Tormek T-8 hand tool kit also comes with a range of jigs and accessories to help you get a better-than-factory edge on your tools quickly. These include a multi-function support for sharpening gouges and other curved tools, a straight edge jig for chisels and plane irons, and a knife jig for sharpening knives and other straight-edged tools.
The Tormek T-8 also comes with a comprehensive instruction manual and easy-to-follow instructional videos to help you get professional tool sharpening results even if you’re new to sharpening. It’s made in Sweden and is a really high-quality, versatile sharpening system that I’d definitely recommend to any woodturner or woodworker.
What We Like:
- Comprehensive Sharpening System – Designed for a wide range of edge tools, including wood chisels, plane irons, spoke shaves, carving tools, lathe turning tools, knives, and axes.
- Durable Construction – Made from metal with a die-cast zinc top and impact resistant ABS plastic, as well as stainless steel hardware, all of which contribute to its durability and long-lasting use.
- Industrial Quality Motor – The Tormek T-8 has an industrial quality motor, providing reliable and efficient performance.
- 7-Year Warranty – Comes with an incredible 7-year warranty for added reassurance.
- Instructional Materials – Instruction manual and easy-to-follow instructional videos included to help you get professional tool sharpening results even if you’re new to sharpening.
Things to Consider:
- High Price Tag – The Tormek T-8 Hand Tool Kit is a high-quality, versatile sharpening system, but it comes with a premium price tag.
- Skill Level – This tool is a comprehensive sharpening system and may require some skill and experience to use it effectively.
Alternative Top Pick
Tormek T-8 Original Water Cooled Sharpening System for Edge Tools
Looking for a reliable and precise way to sharpen all your edge tools? The Tormek T8 original sharpening system has you covered! Made of durable zinc and featuring a solid frame, this sharpener is built to last. The included SG-250 grindstone has adjustable characteristics ranging from 220 to 1000 grit, ensuring that you can get a fine edge on all of your woodworking and wood carving tools.
But that’s not all – with dimensions of 15″L x 11.5″W x 15″H and weighing 39.97 lbs this system also features water cooled sharpening, which means there’s no risk of overheating your steel and ruining your tools. And with the included LA-220 leather honing wheel and SE-77 square edge jig, you can achieve unbeatable precision when sharpening your tools.
But that’s still not all – the Tormek sharpening system also comes with a TT-50 truing tool, SP-650 stone grader, WM-200 AngleMaster, PA-70 honing compound, and a US-105 universal support for even more control and accuracy. Plus, the included T8-00 storage tray and EM-15 edge marker make it easy to keep your sharpener organized and ready for use.
And if that wasn’t enough, it’s also backed by an impressive 8 year warranty (5+3 after online registration), so you can feel confident in your purchase.
So if you want to correctly sharpen your treasured woodworking tools then it has to be done on this Tormek sharpening system it’s a top-notch choice for anyone looking to keep their edge tools in tip top condition.
What We Like:
- Durable Sharpening System – The Tormek T8 can sharpen all your edge tools, including woodworking and wood carving tools, it’s made of durable zinc and featuring a solid frame, which is built to last.
- Adjustable Grit Range – The included SG-250 grindstone has adjustable characteristics ranging from 220 to 1000 grit, ensuring that you can get a fine edge on all of your tools.
- Water Cooled Sharpening – This system also features water cooled sharpening, which means there’s less risk of overheating your steel and ruining your tools.
- Variety of Accessories and Jigs – Comes with a variety of accessories and jigs such as a LA-220 leather honing wheel, SE-77 square edge jig, TT-50 truing tool, SP-650 stone grader, WM-200 AngleMaster, PA-70 honing compound, and a US-105 universal support, which allow for even more control and accuracy when sharpening your tools.
Things to Consider:
- Time-Consuming – Sharpening tools can take some time, especially if you’re new to using it, and it may take some practice to sharpen your tools quickly and efficiently.
- Learning Curve – As with any new tool, there may be a learning curve associated with using the sharpening system. It may take some time to learn how to use all of the included accessories and jigs to achieve the desired level of precision.
Also Great
1. Jet JWS-10 Variable-Speed Wet Sharpening System
The Jet JWS-10 Variable-Speed Wet Sharpening System is a top-of-the-line tool for woodworkers and woodturners looking to sharpen and maintain their cherished wood turning chisels, knives, and hand carving tools.
The JWS-10 has a completely enclosed motor, which keeps debris and water from entering the machine, this not only prolongs the life of the machine but also makes for cleaner and safer sharpening. Additionally, the variable-speed motor allows for precision sharpening, turning the wheels at 90 to 150 RPM, providing a consistent and precise edge on your tools.
Another great feature is its built-in drawer for jig storage, this is a convenient way to keep your jigs organized and easily accessible when you work, while the deep well trough reduces splash while keeping the stone cool, which also helps to prolong the life of the machine.
The leather honing/strop wheel is also a great addition to the JWS-10. It removes burrs and leaves tools refined, giving you a polished razor edge on your tools, the water-cooled stone grinding wheel keeps tools from overheating, which is especially useful when sharpening for extended periods of time.
The package comes with a variety of accessories including a stone grader, angle measuring device, chisel angle jig, straight edge jig, honing compound and manual, and it is backed by a 3-year warranty.
What We Like:
- Completely Enclosed Motor -This feature keeps debris and water from entering the machine, prolonging its life and ensuring a cleaner and safer sharpening experience.
- Precision Sharpening – The variable-speed motor allows for precision sharpening, turning the wheels at 90 to 150 RPM, providing a consistent and precise edge on your tools.
- Convenient Storage – The built-in drawer for jig storage is a great feature, keeping your jigs organized and easily accessible while you work.
- Reduced Splash – The deep well trough reduces splash while keeping the stone cool, which also helps to prolong the life of the machine.
- Polished Razor Edges – The leather honing/strop wheel removes burrs and leaves tools refined, giving you a polished razor edge on your tools.
Things to Consider:
- Medium Price Range – The JWS-10 is a quality tool, so its price may be out of reach for some woodworkers.
- Water Management – The JWS-10 has an oversized reservoir for better water management, but will still require frequent refilling and cleaning.
2. Work Sharp – WS3000 Wood Tool Sharpener
The Work Sharp WS3000 is a great choice for woodworkers and heavy hobbyists looking for a quick and easy way to sharpen their tools. This innovative tool offers a completely dry sharpening system, eliminating the need for water and preventing overheating of tools.
One of the standout features of the WS3000 is its versatility. It can sharpen and hone a wide range of tools, including chisels, mortise chisels, Japanese chisels, plane irons, spoke shaves, carving tools, lathe tools, gouges, carving axes, and other edge tools. The machine offers three different ways to sharpen your tools: the top side with tool rest, the chisel and plane iron port, and the Edge-Vision port.
The WS3000 offers a range of bevel angles (20°, 25°, 30°, or 35°) without any set-up time, and it also allows you to sharpen a perfect 5° micro-bevel for even faster re-honing. This makes it easy to achieve the perfect angle for any tool.
The machine is constructed with durable materials, including a cast aluminum top and sheet metal housing, and an impact and vibration-resistant tool-grade plastic base. The active air-cooled sharpening port with routed air flow and heat sink design prevents overheating of tools during the sharpening process.
The WS3000 comes with 2 tempered 2-sided glass wheels (150mm) and one slotted Edge-Vision wheel, and uses both solid and slotted adhesive-backed abrasives, so you can quickly and easily change between coarse and fine grits. It uses 150mm premium Norton and Micro-Mesh abrasives in grits of P120, P400, P1000, and 3600 for a wide grit selection.
The Edge-Vision sharpening method is another innovative feature of the WS3000 allowing you to see the cutting edge of the tool while you sharpen, making it easier and more precise to sharpen wood carving and lathe tools, plus, it comes with 2-year warranty.
What We Like:
- Completely Dry Sharpening System – Eliminates the need for water and helps prevents overheating of tools, making it easy to use and maintain.
- Versatility – Can sharpen and hone a wide range of tools, including chisels, mortise chisels, Japanese chisels, plane irons, spoke shaves, carving tools, lathe tools, gouges, axes, and other edge tools.
- Adjustable Bevel Angles – Offers a range of bevel angles (20°, 25°, 30°, or 35°) without any set-up time, and it also allows you to sharpen a perfect 5° micro-bevel for even faster re-honing.
- Durable Construction – The machine is constructed with durable materials, including a cast aluminum top and sheet metal housing, and an impact and vibration-resistant tool-grade plastic base.
- Edge-Vision Sharpening Method – Allows you to see the cutting edge of tools while you sharpen, making it easier and more precise to sharpen carving and lathe tools.
Things to Consider:
- Skill Level – The Work Sharp WS3000 is a versatile sharpening tool, and it may require a certain level of skill to get the most out of it, so if you’re new to sharpening tools may find it a bit challenging to achieve the desired results at first.
3. Tormek T-4 Compact Water Cooled Sharpening System for Edge Tools
As a woodworker, I understand the importance of keeping my tools sharp. Dull tools not only make my job more difficult, but they can also lead to poor quality work.
The first thing you’ll noticed about this sharpening system is its professional-grade construction. It’s made of die cast zinc, impact resistant ABS plastic, and stainless steel hardware, so you’ll know it will last for years to come. And with a 7 year warranty, you can trust that the company stands behind their product.
Using the Tormek T4 to sharpen your wood chisels, plane irons, wood carving knives and other edge tools really is a breeze thanks to its complete instruction manual and easy to follow instructional videos.
The dual grit 1-5/8″ wide sharpening stone turns at just 120 RPM, which is slow enough to prevent overheating and loss of temper in your blades. And with a variety of jigs available to assist in achieving a better-than-factory blade edge quickly, you can sharpen your tools with precision and efficiency.
Size wise it has dimensions of 13″L x 9″W x 10″H and weighs 19.84 lbs. It’s a compact and lightweight tool that’s easy to store in your workshop, but still has the power and durability to sharpen all of your woodturning tools with ease.
The grit type for this sharpening system is coarse, which is great for quickly restoring damaged or dull edges. And with its water-cooled design, you can sharpen your tools for longer periods of time without worrying about overheating and causing damage to the blade.
The Tormek T4 water-cooled sharpening system is a fantastic tool for any woodworker who values the importance of keeping their tools sharp. Its professional-grade construction, easy-to-use design, and versatility make it a must-have for anyone who takes their woodturning seriously. So, I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable and efficient way to sharpen their edge tools.
What We Like:
- Professional-Grade Construction – Made of die cast zinc, impact resistant ABS plastic, and stainless steel hardware, making it a durable and long-lasting tool.
- Complete Instruction Manual and Easy-To-Follow Instructional Videos – The Tormek T4 comes with a complete instruction manual and easy-to-follow instructional videos, making it easy for users to sharpen their tools with precision and efficiency.
- Dual Grit Sharpening Stone – Features a dual grit 1-5/8″ wide sharpening stone that turns at just 120 RPM, preventing overheating and loss of temper in blades.
- Variety of Jigs Available – Includes a variety of jigs that can assist users in achieving a better-than-factory blade edge quickly.
- Water-Cooled Design – The water-cooled design allows users to sharpen their tools for longer periods of time without worrying about overheating and causing damage to the blade.
Things to Consider:
- Size and Weight – The Tormek T4 has dimensions of 13″L x 9″W x 10″H and weighs 19.84 lbs. making it compact and lightweight, but may be too small for some users.
- Not Budget Price Range – This is a high-quality and versatile tool, it is built to last and give fantastic sharpening results, but its cost may put you off.
4. RIKON Power Tools 82-100 8″ Wet Sharpener
The RIKON Power Tools 8″ Wet Sharpener has a 1/4 HP motor geared for adjusting wheel speeds of 90-150 RPMs. This allows for precision sharpening, turning the wheels at the perfect speed to provide a consistent and precise cutting edge on your woodworking tools. while the 220 grit abrasive wheel is perfect for putting precision edges on big or delicate tools.
Another great feature is its leather honing wheel for final edge sharpening and honing, this is a great way to remove any burrs and put the final razor sharp, final honed edge on your tools, providing a polished and refined edge. Additionally, the stainless steel support bar for jigs repositions for horizontal or vertical use, making it easy to sharpen tools at the perfect angle every time.
Designed to prevent overheating that can ruin blades, the slow turning abrasive wheel and water cooling action keeps the tools cool, allowing for extended sharpening sessions without any risk of overheating.
The package also comes with a variety of holding jigs that make putting the right cutting angle on tools easy and consistently, every time. This is especially useful when working with a variety of tools such as chisels, plane blades, turning & carving tools, knives, and axes.
What We Like:
- Precision Sharpening – The 1/4 HP motor geared for adjusting wheel speeds of 90-150 RPMs allows for precision sharpening, providing a consistent and precise edge on your tools.
- Grit Abrasive Wheel – The 220 grit abrasive wheel is perfect for putting precision edges on big or delicate tools, providing a precise and consistent edge on your tools every time.
- Leather Honing Wheel – The leather honing wheel for final edge sharpening and honing removes any burrs and puts the final razor sharp, final honed edge on tools, providing a polished and refined edge.
- Stainless Steel Support Bar – The stainless steel support bar for jigs repositions for horizontal or vertical use, making it easy to sharpen tools at the perfect angle every time.
- Prevent Overheating – The slow turning abrasive wheel and water cooling action keeps the tools cool, allowing for extended sharpening sessions without any risk of overheating.
Things to Consider:
- Included Jigs – While the package comes with a good variety of holding jigs, you may require additional jigs for specific woodworking tools.
Best Budget Option
WEN BG4270T 10-Inch Two-Direction Water Cooled Wet/Dry Sharpening System
The WEN 10-Inch Two-Direction Water Cooled Wet and Dry Sharpening System is a great budget choice. Its 10-inch by 2-inch 220 grit wet sharpening stone and 8-inch by 1-1/8-inch leather stropping wheel provide everything you need to bring those dull tools back to life.
The heavy-duty 1.6A motor quietly rotates the wheels at 115 RPM for maximum precision during operation, and the included honing compound allows you to polish and finish the edge on the leather stropping wheel.
This machine is very versatile, allowing you to sharpen a wide range of tools, including blades, wood chisels, carving tools, scissors, screwdrivers, lathe tools, axes, and so much more. The rotational direction can be reversed with the simple flip of a switch, and the universal support can be adjusted to both horizontal and vertical positions, allowing for jigs and other accessories to be used. The angle guide, height adjustable water reservoir, and jig for sharpening planer blades and chisels make it easy to achieve the perfect edge.
The WEN 42704B 4-Piece Sharpening Accessory Kit is also available for other blade styles, and the carrying handle makes transportation really easy. The machine is also designed to prevent walking and wobbling during operation, and with a weight of 35.5 pounds and dimensions of 15.6 x 15 x 14.7 inches, it’s relatively compact and easy to store and is backed by a two-year warranty.
The WEN 10-Inch wet and dry sharpening system is an excellent investment for any woodworker looking to save a bit of money and still achieve the sharpest edges on their tools. With its wide range of features and accessories, it’s a versatile, reliable, bang for your buck machine that’s user-friendly and will last for years to come.
What We Like:
- Versatility – Two-Direction Water Cooled Wet and Dry Sharpening System, it’s a versatile machine that can be used to sharpen a wide range of tools, including blades, wood chisels, carving tools, scissors, screwdrivers, lathe tools, axes, and lots more.
- Precision Sharpening – The heavy-duty 1.6A motor quietly rotates the wheels at an earnest 115 RPM for maximum precision during operation ensuring that you achieve the sharpest edge possible on your tools.
- Adjustable Features – This machine features an angle guide, a height-adjustable water reservoir, and a jig for sharpening planer blades and chisels, which makes it easy to achieve the perfect edge for any tool.
- Easy to Use – The rotational direction can be reversed with the simple flip of a switch, and the universal support can be adjusted to both horizontal and vertical positions, allowing for jigs and other accessories to be used.
Things to Consider:
- Sharpening Angle – The machine comes with an angle guide, but it may take some practice to achieve the perfect angle for your specific tool.
- Accessory kit – While the machine comes with some accessories, such as the angle guide, honing compound, and jig for sharpening planer blades and chisels, some users may find that they need additional accessories to sharpen different types of tools. The WEN 42704B 4-Piece Sharpening Accessory Kit is also available, but it requires additional cost.