In order to be successful in this endeavor, you will have to have read the article on fingernail sharpening using the Oneway jig. This sets the entire basis for what I am talking about here. You will need the same gouge tool jig as in that article (available from Packard Woodworks) as well as a Tormek water sharpener (no kidding) and the Oneway Wolverine Jig.
This jig is designed to allow you to mount your gouge and sharpen on your dry grinder, then go right to your wet grinder to refine the edge. The wet ground gouge’s edge will actually last longer AND cut better!
You will need 2 pieces of dry hardwood, 1 1/2″ wide x 1 3/4″ tall x 18 1/2″ long, and another 1 1/2″ wide x 1 3/4″ tall x 5 1/4″ long to make the grinding platform.
Grinding Platform Plans
Use this document as a guideline. If it is unclear or you need further information, please email steve@turningwood.com.
Once you have constructed the platform, install the gouge or gouge facsimile in the wolverine and sharpen it as you normally would, with the nose extending 2 1/2″ from the front of the Wolverine.
Once the tool is in place, wipe the front of the tool, the sharpened portion, with a permanent black marker. Put the tool in the Wolverine jig and place it in the grinding platform, up against the wheel of the Tormek. Turn the wheel by hand about a half turn and look at the nose of the gouge. Ideally you should have a perfect stripe of silver going up the nose of the gouge. If the stripe is wider at the bottom, move the platforms pocket (the adjustable part) rearward. If it is wider at the top, move the pocket forward. Put some marker on it again and turn the wheel, and inspect. Repeat this until you get a uniform width stripe on the center of the nose of the gouge.
Now rotate the gouge all the way on it’s side and turn the wheel by hand. You should see a fairly uniform striation. If the marker is worn off primarily at the bottom, the platform is too high. Remove the adjustable platform and evenly remove material from it to lower it. (It is a lot easier to adjust it up than down). If the marker is worn off primarily at the top, the platform is too low. Add a few playing cards in front and behind the bolt and try it again. (Playing cards are a fairly uniform .0010″ thick).
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me – steve@turningwood.com