I've used the sandpaper system for years and love it. Going to 3000 grit has always been sufficient for me followed up with some Flexcut compound on a strop. If you don't follow Paul Sellers, he uses window cleaner instead of water. Works great and smells nice.

Nice! Seems worth trying. Thanks for sharing!

That's a GREAT system Ryan, I think I will give it a try. I don't want to spend $200 or $300 for a sharpening system. Even at $1.50/strip it will take quite a while to break even versus the more expensive system. AND by then, it will time to replace the diamond grit. It looks like yours works fine and really is NOT any more expensive in the long run. Good job!!!

I am so glad that you did this video . I don't have the money to buy all the stones to sharpen my plane blades. So i use sandpaper . Thank you so much for sharing.

Brilliant move using the digital angle gauge with the honing guide!

Constantly impressed with your content, Ryan. My woodworking evolution has dramatically increased because of you.

Nice set up on The tempered glass one great tip was using the angle gauge for the table saw to find the proper angle for the plane iron AWESOME idea 💡 I couldn't believe what a simple way to setup for sharpening. Thank You for the information.

Using a digital angle gauge to set the blade in the jig: Genius Level XXIIV!

Keep us up to date on how long this system lasts. Many of us are on a budget and this would be an excellent system if its worth the money in the long run.

I hadn't heard of diamond stones wearing out.. was thinking about going to those next. Definitely second guessing that now. Look forward to your follow up!

nice. looking fwd to seeing how this holds up over time. Small tip - rince the blade before going to the next grit, otherwise you will contaminate then next finer grit with more coarse material that came off the paper from the previous grit. Over time, your 4000 may become more like 3000 because of the added coarser grit you are adding to it.

The tempering process distorts the glass. You will get better results with a piece of float glass.

This is great! Definitely keep us updated on how long it lasts. 🤓👍🏼

And the big advantage is that you don't have to worry about the flatness of your glass, versus a natural stone. Some other things to try: get a piece of scap granite from a stone cutters shop (a leftover from making counter tops), it will be a little more durable than glass. Use a pull stroke when sharpening, to avoid scratching or cutting into your sand paper. And use a light pressure so that the abrasive sheet doesn't "creep" or bunch up.

Scary sharp is good! Works really well. Just watch out only to pull the blade, don't push it as you might on a stone, or you will soon cut a hole in the expensive film. If used with care, the sheets can last a long time. Not cheaper than regular stones though.

Using the angle block is a great idea. I enjoyed the video

The mirror finish is crazy

Please keep us updated as to how well this works over the long haul. Great video, as always!!

I started using the same system a couple years ago and have only gone through 4 sheets of each grit. I have a set that I use only with water as a lube (chisels and marking tools) and another set with mineral oil as the lube (plane irons). The min oil set lasts a bit longer.

I switched to that same system so that I wouldn't have to worry about keeping my stones flat and cared for. If you don't care for your stones you can work a hollow into them and then you have to flatten the stone. I'm also lazy and the sandpaper is much easier to setup I feel.

Ryan, you can get the same result with a strip of MDF and some car polish. You have to pull the blade rather than push it. I'm on my 2nd strip of 12mm MDF (half inch thick) in two years and it's still going strong. Much cheaper than sandpaper and you can make it any width you want. You will have to use another system to get your chisel / blade close to sharp before using the mdf though. 600 grit sandpaper would be enough.

Nice I like that, I have been trying a similar thing using a tile. Also good for restoring planes and getting the bottoms flat.

You could save a little money by using polish compound and a piece of leather instead of 4000 and 8000.

I've been using scary sharp for a long time. I've always just bought the higher grits from Walmart... auto painting sandpaper. I've always thought it gives very good results for the price.

I might try this as I hate having to flatten my stones.

This seems like a pretty good system. I believe your water stone could be re-flattened if you want to use it occasionally. You would need a lapping plate or a flattening stone though and those can be pricey.

Great idea! Keep us posted on longevity.

This method is way cheaper and I will definitely give it a go. thanks Ryan

For the sand paper I don't use any adhesive. If you just wet the glass and place the paper down surface tension will hold it in place. Give it a try.

Loved the use of the digital angle finder, wish I’d thought of that, I’ve been using a protractor.

The main thing I liked was the honing guide :D Never seen one like hat before! Looks like it'll be fairly easy to build from wood, too :)

Thanks, I just got a set of Narex chisels for Xmas and have not yet set up a sharpening system for them. I will at least try your way 1st. Very timely video!

Good places to grab inexpensive good flat glass if you're looking is tile suppliers and quite often the stores that sell odds and ends building supplies. Scarey Sharp float glass isn't that expensive either. As far as paper I like klingspore or taytool

Thanks for the share! Been needing to sharpen a few dull knives and chisels and haven't wanted to fork up the cash for the expensive stones. I'm sure this will be a cheap solution in the meantime

I use the same method but, instead of the Leigh Valley papers, I have a couple of pieces of leather with 6 & 4 micron aluminum oxide paste for stropping. SUPER cheap and doesn't waste the paper.

ur a savage bro. even ur most simple video is intense. keep it up

Nice demo of a tried and true system.

It depends a bit on how often you sharpen, of course, but in the long run this type of system tends to be quite a bit more expensive. It just has lower up-front costs.

I'd love to see a follow up after you have been using it for a few months!

Try plate glass over tempered glass as tempered glass can have "waves" in it from the tempering. Great content keep it up.

Useful information.

thanks for this, been trying to decide which way to go with sharpening lately...good food for thought!

Bummer about the waterstone. you can flatten the water stone by rubbing it on your diamond plate.. turn it around so the crack is closest to you and your irons wont catch.. Regarding your diamond plate, It looks like the DMT, you can clean these up quite easily with some soapy water and a nylon brush. I have had one for a couple years now and it cuts now as it did day 1. You only need light pressure with these to be effective. Just my observations, I spent a year and lots of money looking for a system that works for me, paper is more expensive in the long run, sheets tear no matter how careful you are. I ended up with that diamond plate and diamond paste(40 to 0.5 micron, set of tubes costs like $4 to $12 on ebay), this is my opinion, just hoping to add to your confusion on sharpening.. love your videos and projects, cheers from Australia

You’ll spend a fortune in lapping paper if you push the blade fowards as it will start acting like a plane and plane the paper off the glass. Backward strokes work just fine and increases the life of the paper

Love the video sir. The only thing I wish you would of mentioned is use "tempered" glass. For safety reasons I think it's important.

That's great! How many strokes to each grit? Looks like they don't need much... Given that were probably not super dull... right?

I suspect that this would be preferable on many counts. Not having to flatten water stones for a start.

This is more inline with my budget. When are we gonna see a ShopBuilt honing guide out of wood? Great video as usual.

Walmart has 2000, 4000 and 8000 Wet/Dry sandpaper in the automotive section. Can't recall the price but it is made by 3M. Maybe a cheaper option.

using regular wet dry sandpaper I have found that i use one strip of sandpaper similar to yours per chisel or iron.. taping them down like you did was way too messy to get off after it's all wet and gummy, I haven't tried spray adhesive, just using water and friction to hold the paper down makes the sides of the paper bulge up and I feel that it rounds over the sides of the chisels, So I don't like the sandpaper route.. After using diamond stones, it's hard to conform to anything else, because it's just so fast and easy and perfectly flat.. No need to dress them.. Just a squirt of soapy water and go..

I dropped my water stone b4 and cracked it I just filed it down took a 2 inch loss but it still works.👍 dang ryan!- you must do a lot of sharpening for them to be dead already⚰.. you should buy a water stone flatning Stone? theyre like 25$ thatll fix that problem really quick. ive never used a diamond I was always told her no what if they don't last and you seem to prove that theory that my friends have told me about

Go to your auto parts store for the higher grit paper. I have gotten 3000 grit paper among other grits.

I would rather drop a $4.50 piece of sandpaper than an $80 stone.

That mirror polish is amazing. Have you considered sticking with coarse sandpaper grits for rehabbing to save wear on the diamond/water stones?

Love the polished finish. Sexy iron

Klasse Anleitung ! Und eine Super Idee :-)))

Well now you've got me thinking about switching... damn!

Znakomity sposób, sam od wielu już lat używam 3M-owskiego TRIZACTU do ostrzenia noży strugów i dłut. Wprawdzie ostatnią granulacją jest A5 czyli ( tylko) P3000, wg mnie to jednak wystarcza. Nie robię lustra. Gdyby był dostępny w formie papieru z rolki TRIZACT o granulacji P6000 ( jest w tej chwili tylko w postaci krążków na rzep do Automotive) to chętnie bym konczył "lustrem". Zresztą tę technologię prezentował w ubiegłym roku już jeden z naszych vlogerów - L...... ( ale nie znany Wam wszystkim picer i pozer J.O.) Papier kleję do szkła widocznym na filmie klejem w aerozolu" 77 " - na dwie powierzchnie. Nie uzywam do tego celu błon klejowych lub b. cienkich taśm jak na tym filmie Te wykorzystane w filmie materiały mikrościerne 3M też jak widać znakomicie się spełniają. Gratulacje, świetna robota

Great stuff. Definitely gonna make a setup like this.

I'll be curious to hear how its holding up in a few months. I think it will surprise us all.

I love the scary stuff that said I can never that really find stuff, I'll try lee valley.

Btw, the thumbnail, I can see now a plane blade on it but at first it seemed to me like a phone! It must the the square shape with reflections, seemed like glass/touch screen. Ahah, so I clicked on your video because it is you and not because of the thumbnail :)

Do you just use water as a lubricant? I have a piece marble counter top which is perfectly flat and just about the same size ! Think I'll give this a try , thanks for posting and keep up the good work👍

thank you, a very useful video, and congrats on the channel growth

you can get 4000 grit sandpaper too, a fair bit cheaper than that, also you didn't have 8000 until now, so do you even need it ? i don't think so, also as a last step a strop would be best as a lot of other people recommended

great video, I'll be doing this for sure. thanks!

I think it's a great idea. Thks

I use the sandpaper system also. Cheap and easily disposable. At least my mind thinks so therefore I don't feel like I'm throwing anything good away when I'm done with a strip - haha. I'm trying to figure out the best way to attach the nonstick sandpaper to my glass? You used carpet tape and sometimes use spray adhesive, but don't they give you a slightly less than flat surface even though they are on glass?

Damn nice polish on that. Have you tried hitting it on a strop to see if it gets even better?

that is scary sharp.

very useful mate. I've been thinking of trying this for a while. you reckon the double sided tape is flat enough to sharpen without leaving ripples in the final edge? thanks for sharing, enjoyed that.

I need a roller like that for making blades

This is great! I need to get something decent!

cool concept, and great video. it would be interesting if you revisit this in awhile Ryan

I guess wider strips and you can do your Jointer Blades ?

Thanks for sharing

You can buy a lot of $4 sheets before you hit $200. ;)

very cool

Have you ever used a leather strop? I've been meaning to make one for awhile now...

Where did you get the gizmo to set the angle & support the blade at the right angle? FYI - harbor freight has a pack of 10 wet-dry silion carbide sandpaper (assorted from 220 to 1200) for like $4 and knife-making supply houses have wet-dry sandpaper up to at least 2000 grit.

So, now that it's been over 7 months, how have your sandpapers lasted, especially the 3M mylar stuff?

This is a great video and I thank you for it, but whe using your own hairs to test the sharpness you obtained it's not that impresive, cuze we might end up talking in a different subject about hair thicknesses and how flexible they are, and so, even hair color matters if we want to be fair and square to the main idea heheh, but, the best way to test the sharpness of any blade, that would be just right after you finished polishing or stroping the blade, cut some pieces of newspaper, then some white bond paper and finally some magazine sheets and you'll see the real goal of it. If we put down the blade under a microscope you'll see that, in a very tiny molecular level, that very end or sharp tip becomes very weak and it's almost flexible like the hair in our head, when we start the sharpening process thru all of the grit grades, in the flat side of the blade it tends to shine like a mirror, but at the very edge it's a different story, we are actually "combing" the very last "fibers of metal" that's why there are several ways to achieve super sharpness or not, it will depend on the metal hardness, structure and composition, but skiping the metal info, what really happens whe using the plane is that the sharp edge tends to roll up or down and that's how it gets dull with usage, so it combs and rolls and becomes round to stop working into the wood and it gets stuck. And taht's why it's better to test the blade with paper so we can sense at that very tiny leve if the blade separates at the moment of the cut and doesn't get stuck. A clean cut on paper will even give us a clear sound of it, recognizible every time we using a new and sharped blade. Sorry for the love letter,but just saying hehe

Nice video. Can you tell me more about that angle sharpening jig you were using? Is that good for all planer blades or is it specific to the No4?

realy nice system, might have to try it sometime - where did you get the glass from?

Nice video. Just wondering what you put in the bottle? Straight water?

Isn't this stuff from amazon the same as the lee valley honing paper? www.amazon.com/Zona-37-948-Polishing-11-Inch-Assortment/dp/B001BHGC7G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1515174086&sr=8-1&keywords=3m+micro+abrasive If so this is a very affordable system. Some wet/dry paper, this pack from amazon, a piece of tempered glass, and some spray adhesive.

Why so many fine grits and all the oil?

Nice!!

Ryan how is the new sharpening system holding up? It's almost a year now.

just curious, and i ask myself this question, why go to such a fine grit? i use the Paul Sellers method, DMT solid diamond stones, from 320ish to 600ish to 1200ish then strop, I can shave hair every time with the finished edge, but how long does that shaving edge last and is it worth it? if, like Mr. Sellers, you use 220 or 320 sandpaper right before adding the finish. He mentions that when he apprenticed they only used a dual stone that went up to 400ish. Am I, we, wasting money on really polishing the working edge (not the back)? I do admire a polished edge though, especially on my straight razors and kitchen knives as well as ww tools

cool

So are you still using this system after one year? Has it worked good?

The awkward moment when you show how sharp your plane is by shaving your arm hairs, and now you have a large bare patch... lol

Any update on how the sandpaper setup worked out?

Hi there. What are you mounting the sand paper onto? Is it a glass or acrylic sheet?

How are you finding this system has held up long- to medium-term?

Hey wats up shop built

At school they teach us that a plane blade needs to be slightly curved outwards, how would you suggest that you can sharpen a slight curve with this system?

So how long did it last?