Robert Sorby ProEdge - Sharpening Fingernail Profile Bowl & Spindle Gouges

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SharpeningFingernailProleBowl&SpindleGouges
Sharpening a ngernail prole bowl or spindle gouge can be one of the most dicult jobs for
any woodturner.
The ngernail prole arm* will produce a ngernail prole on any spindle or bowl gouge from a
1/4” (6mm) to 3/4” (19mm) and it allows for any combination of bevel angle and wing sweep to be
readily achieved.
Slide the boss over the ngernail boss bar and place the arm into the
location hole. The arm is factory set at 120 degrees (120˚) to give a normal
ngernail prole.
To produce a ngernail prole, slide the gouge
into the clamp until the bevel is at against
the abrasive belt. Tighten the clamp screw to
hold the gouge in place and allow the gouge to
move away from the belt prior to switching on
the ProEdge.
If a dierent bevel angle is required it is just a matter of sliding the tool
further through the clamp and more material will be taken from the heel
of the tool making the bevel angle shallower. If a steeper bevel angle is
required then the tool needs to be drawn back in the clamp so that more
material is removed from the nose.
When the correct angle has been established, switch on the system and
move the gouge forward so that the right wing touches the abrasive belt.
With a small amount of pressure allow the gouge to roll with the arm to
produce the ngernail prole with a perfect cutting edge.
The sensibly priced ProSet enables exact
repeatability of angles. See page 19
Useful tip !
Using the LongGrindJig on the ngernail proler
allows for three dierent types of prole.
See page 18
Useful tip !