1 Making the jig
The jig shown at left guarantees that the tip of a turning gouge will contact the wheel of your bench grinder at the correct angle to restore the bevel on the cutting edge. The dimensions in the illustration will accommodate most gouges. Cut the base and the guide from Уг-inch plywood; screw the guide together and fasten it to the base with screws countersunk from underneath. Make sure the opening created by the guide is large enough to allow the arm to slide through freely. Cut the arm from l-by-2 stock and the tool support from Уг-inch plywood. Screw the two parts of the tool support together, then fasten the bottom to the arm, flush with one end. For the V block, cut a small wood block to size and saw a 90° wedge out of one side. Glue the block to the tool support.
Set the jig on a work surface so the arm lines up directly under the grinding wheel. Seat the gouge handle in the V block and slide the arm so the beveled edge of the gouge rests flat on the grinding wheel. Clamp the arm in place. Then, with the
gouge clear of the wheel, switch on the grinder and reposition the tool in the jig. Holding the gouge with both hands, rotate it from side to side so the beveled edge runs across the wheel (above). Check the cutting edge periodically until the bevel is fully formed.
