RogerS wrote:I have to admit surprise that one could actually sharpen chisels etc on what essential is a bit of moving sandpaper and I'm guessing flopping about.
A really sharp chisel isn't what is needed for woodturning - the process of turning wood takes a very sharp edge off pretty quickly. What you need for turning is a decently sharp edge that stays that way for a good time, which is why HSS, M42 and carbide tools are popular with turners. Carbon steel, the tradional material for turning tools, can be sharpened to a keener edge but being softer it doesn't stay that way for long when the item you're cutting is whizzing around at a thousand revs or so, hence its fall from grace with turners.
For sharpening my turning tools I use a bench grinder and a white or CBN wheel. It works fine for me and most importantly the grinder is right by my elbow so there's the minimum of time away from the lathe. If I want a
really sharp chisel for the very occasional bit of guitar repair work I do nowadays, I'll do it by hand on a whetstone with my Veritas honing guide, as I was taught at guitar-building school.