Comments on: Worksharp WS3000 Guest Review

By: Shane Miller

Shane Miller — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 18:45:04 +0000

Not sure if anyone else has tried this but it really works well for sharpening my hand plane blades. It requires a little more investment but takes a lot of hassel out of this chore. Worksharp sells a broad blade attachment that is mounted over the top of the motor and aligns with the sharpening surfaces. Essentially it gives you a wide flat surface adjacent to the sharpening surface so that you can use a sharpening angle jig to maintain the proper angle. I didn’t find the provided jig useful because it was clumbsy and doesn’t allow me to put any camber on the blade but I do have the Veritas MK II with a cambered roller. The other thing that I like about the MK II Guide is that all I have to do to set up for a micro bevel is turn a knob located an the “axil” of the roller. I don’t have to loosen up the blade or make any other adjustments. Using the flat surface provided by the kit anlong with the MK II jig maks a very good combination

One comment I read here about stones having a finer grit may not be accurate. I beleive I have read that the stones and sand paper grit are not measured in the same manner. If I remember right the 3000 grit sand paper is supposed to be equal to a wet stone 8000 grit. I may be wrong or the article I read my be wrong but pretty sure that is what i read.

By: Jimmy V

Jimmy V — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:41:57 +0000

DMT just came out with new diamond grit pads for the ws3000. I Believe a honing kit and a sharpening kit. Around $80-90 i believe.

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:55:07 +0000

This is the best bang “sharpener” for the money. No sharpener does it all real well, including the Tormek, when you aren’t sharpening all of the time. Yes stones can give you a much finer finish, but once you make that first plunge into hardwood that super fine edge is gone and the one from the Worksharp is the same. As far as flattening chisel backs out of the box, or cleaning up older chisels, just try doing it the old way and find out how much you have to beat yourself up. The Worksharp takes less time and is the most idiot proof sharpener around, which means it takes much less of a learning curve. I do use other sharpeners, but for chisels, and most plane irons, this is my chosen one.

Don’t criticize it if you haven’t taken it for ride.

By: LordLQQK

LordLQQK — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:23:51 +0000

Actually, yes I did read the manual, cover to cover. The directions within it did state how to apply the disks to “reduce” air bubbles. However, it is still difficult to do so without using a needle to press them out when the imperfect world that we have to contend with puts them in.

The system is great for some applications, and since my original posting of this review they have added a guide for sharpening blades on top. Since I mentioned that that was a short coming maybe I’ll be seeing a check from them soon. Ok, maybe not, more free R&D that I do.

I still use the system from time to time, but would not head to it for my fine chisels or plane blades on my jointer, smoother, or low angle block. Scrub, jack, scraper planes absolutely; turning gouges, hell yeah; my knock around chisels, done and double done.

LQQK

By: tim

tim — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 03:26:23 +0000

I find I get better results with my stones. Which is a shame. I really do not like the time and mess involved with my water stones. However, the results with my worksharp 3000, while OK, just are not the razor edge I get with stones. The other negative is lapping backs. The worksharp in theory would be great for removing … but I found it sucked for this purpose. Its hard to get small chisels down without the spining disc gouging the stem pretty badly. Heel to toe doesnt work well on a spinning disk.

I agree with this review. The Worksharp has its place, but I still need to use stones for my good plane blades. I also really would like to see the bevel choice more than 4 in 5 degree increments. I do not see the point in a 5 degree microbevel. 3 degrees works great for me.

To bad – I really would have loved to throw out my stones. I’m going to make a table for the unit so I can use my Veritas jigs with it. A table top level with the disc is something they should offer with this unit. Slide on and off the disc like using stones.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 00:40:09 +0000

this “guest reviewer” doesn’t appear to have read the manual, as it tells how you can avoid air bubbles when applying the paper as well as grind a micro bevel using the tool port.

By: Wooden Horse

Wooden Horse — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 07:19:13 +0000

I bought Work Sharp WS3000 Wood Tool Sharpener at this website http://www.dealsShoppie.com/pr.....Work+Sharp. There were 37 ratings with an average rating of 4.5. I found this information to be very helpful and give the product a thumbs up.

By: james o'hare

james o'hare — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:09:49 +0000

I am pleased with the power and flexibility of this unit. What it shows up is how different the existing angles are on my chisels considering they were all done previously on the Lee Valley jig with supposedly the same angle. Obviously, once the main meat has been taken care of it is just a matter of maintenance and a two minute job. I also keep alittle cup of cold water just to ensure a cool tip temp.It takes a little while to gain a technique with the different grits, but that being said, it pleases me as is. Also remember that the unit is a work in progress from the manufacturer and they are being attentive to user feedback. My only negative comment would be on the cost of disks. But then this is Canada! Go ahead , enjoy!

By: Badabing

Badabing — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 20:46:29 +0000

Nice write up Lord! However, I think there is too much negativity in the beginning and that’s what most people are reading into the entire review. I have a WorkSharp 3000 for about 6 months now and love it. I reviewed it on my website as well (http://www.joeswoodstuff.com/worksharp.htm) and got some great feedback on that. I agree with mostly everything said but I will stick to my own original opinion: the WorkSharp 3000 is an awesome sharpening system and you won’t do better for the money. They are typically $200 but I’ve seen deals on Amazon and eBay for a lot less now and then. In addition, customer service has been well beyond my expectations, and that means more to me than the low price.

By: Rawdawgs50

Rawdawgs50 — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:37:26 +0000

I have to disagree with LordLQQK. I have owned the Worksharp 3000 for about 1 month. I got it on sale when Amazon.com was selling for $150.

I can testify that this system have allowed me to get the a nasty sharp edge on my chisels and plane irons. It will slice through maple end grain with ease. It has a mirror finish when you follow up with the 6000 grit.

As far as air bubble go. I had no issues. Apply the PSA paper in the middle and work outward. Same method for laying laminate. I do not find the sand paper to clog fast, but it does get dirty because it works so well. The clean it back to like new takes 3 seconds and I would not consider it a chore.

Having a 5 degree bevel versus a 1 or 2 does not matter to me. The chisels and planes cut like a beast when they are sharpened on this machine.

One thing I do agree with Lord on is that a courser grit could be needed to flatten the backs of a chisel if the chisel was completely jacked. But honestly what it comes with does the job very well.

Is the end all sharpening system. No. It does not do everything. But for shaping turning tools and bench chisels this thing is the BOmB.

For the money, there is no competition for this system. All the positive reviews you have seen tell it like it is. If you want a Tormek or a Jet get it and then go buy all the accessories to make it do what this can do.

But I am telling you…there is no way in hell you will be able to make a “sharper” edge than this machine for a bench chisel. It may be the same, but not sharper and I will do it faster!!!

Thats my opinion and I am sticking to it.