Sharpening chisels with sandpaper

[jonathan snyder]

I'm not Sam, but I appreciate the post!
I'd like to try this again.
I have 8-1/2 x 11 sheets of LV 3m PSA micro abrasives.
What size do you cut the sheets when you use them?
Do you have separate pieces of glass for each grit or do you share one piece of glass with multiple grits?
Does it help you to examine the edge with some sort of magnifying glass or bright light?
Should the jig's roller stay on the sandpaper?
Thanks!
- Jim

Jim,

I cut the paper a bit wider than the widest chisel or plan iron I plan to sharpen.

I use all 3 pieces on the same piece of glass.

I do sometimes look at the edge with a cheap jewelers loop. Lots of folks will probably say that is not necessary, but it has helped me advance my sharpening skills.

Either always keep the roller on the paper or always keep it off the paper. I don't think it really matters, as long as you are consistent.

Here is a picture of my setup. It 3/8" glass on top of melamine covered particle board.

HTH
JOnathan

[Jim Mims]

Jim,

I cut the paper a bit wider than the widest chisel or plan iron I plan to sharpen.

I use all 3 pieces on the same piece of glass.

I do sometimes look at the edge with a cheap jewelers loop. Lots of folks will probably say that is not necessary, but it has helped me advance my sharpening skills.

Either always keep the roller on the paper or always keep it off the paper. I don't think it really matters, as long as you are consistent.

Here is a picture of my setup. It 3/8" glass on top of melamine covered particle board.

HTH
JOnathan

I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate your response Jonathan.
That's just the kind of practical answer I needed.
Thanks!
I needed to get my hands on something last night, so I grabbed a particularly sorry chisel and went to work on the face with some coarse emery cloth glued down to a granite tile. I took the advice of using some kind of oil and grabbed our bottle of baby oil. In no time at all, the oil had penetrated the emery cloth and it slipped off the tile.
I'm still learning.
- Jim