Eric’s Sharpening Station

Viewer Project - By Eric from St. Louis, MO
Added on May 14, 2015

The station was designed with heavy elements so it would stay put while lapping and honing. Built of white oak with rot-resistance in mind. Wenge accents. Breadboard ends and tusk tenons just for fun. The stone holders are removable and held in place with dowels, and they’re stair-stepped so chisel handles have clearance of the adjacent stone while lapping the backs. The swarf collection tray is also removable and replaceable. Now I can take a blade from dull to sharp in a matter of seconds without unpacking all my sharpening supplies. A worthy expense of shop space even in a small, packed shop. I’ve taken some heat that it’s “too nice” for shop furniture. To that I can only respond, you may please have a snack of poop. I believe Confucius said that.

Discussion

Terry McKnight May 15, 2015 5:35 am

Good enough to be a hall table.
Excellent work Eric.

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Josh May 15, 2015 6:31 am

Wow! Nicely done Eric.

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Frank Pratt May 15, 2015 7:02 am

I won’t say it’s too nice for the shop cause I’m not really hungry right now :) But I will say that it’s nicer that just about any of the furniture I have in my house. Really beautiful

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Matt Scranton May 15, 2015 7:40 am

This is gorgeous and anyone who tells you that it’s “too nice” for shop furniture is missing the point as to how others may enjoy their hobby. I could only aspire to create something like this for myself some day.

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Barry Lloyd May 15, 2015 7:43 am

If all of your shop furniture looks that nice, your “real” furniture projects must be amazing. I think I need to take my sharpening station out back and burn it in shame after seeing yours.

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Gary G Grinaker May 15, 2015 7:48 am

Awesome table – especially in the thoughtful details like the stair-stepped stones.

A shop table should be as comfortable and inspirational as a hall table. Working at a finely crafted table in the shop puts one in the mood for making finely crafted projects.

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Cassy Ammen May 15, 2015 7:52 am

I am always impressed with woodworkers that care so much for beauty and refinement in all work. Good for you for making your own environment functional and aesthetically pleasing.

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Mike. May 15, 2015 8:09 am

My buddy Kiki has one just like it. did you steal his plans? Only difference is he stained his dark walnut and used a kreg jig for the joinery. I think his looks a little better but that is because I like dark wood. Light woods remind me of pine.

Just kidding Eric, looks great. Nice work as always.

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Paulba Legend May 15, 2015 8:23 am

I agree about the poop eating — awesome work!!

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Dave Albers May 15, 2015 8:41 am

That’s beautiful…why not show great design for shop furniture. You’re the one looking at it all the time…why shouldn’t it be beautiful?

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Kevin May 15, 2015 9:41 am

That’s awesome. And as far as it being “too nice”. We got into woodworking because we love the aesthetics of it and working with our hands. Why not surround yourself with something beautiful, even if it’s just shop furniture. Again, great job.

Now build me one!

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John Anello May 15, 2015 10:54 am

Not sure what’s sharper, the looks of that bench or the tools that come off it. Fine work.

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Eric May 15, 2015 12:54 pm

Thanks for all the kind words, folks! It’s good to be among people who understand and embrace “overdoing.” The station is working well after about a year of use…and covered in filth…just like it should be. :)

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Gustav Black May 16, 2015 11:36 am

I think I’ll make some alterations and turn it into a desk! Great job man!

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Espen May 17, 2015 3:58 pm

why not make a lid that doubles as some sort of work table, that way you can keep out sawdust and other shavings.

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Eric May 19, 2015 5:16 am

Hey Espen – the goal with the station was to keep my stones as easily accessible as possible and sharpening as quick as it can be. Any obstacles between the blades and the stones begin to defeat the purpose. I’m constantly going to the station to touch up an edge…and it literally takes seconds since everything is out in the open and ready to go. Any dust and debris that settles on the stones is removed with the brush of a hand, and any smaller particles are rinsed away when I wet my stones.

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Jason May 19, 2015 1:45 pm

Totally awesome! If I had a station like that, I probably would not sigh every time I needed to sharpen my tools. Incredible detail, both functional and design. Thank you for sharing!

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Daniel May 20, 2015 6:40 am

Quality work, Eric!

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Randy May 20, 2015 3:40 pm

You must be left handed…nice.

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andrew May 21, 2015 12:22 am

What type of finish did you use for this oak sharpening station.

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Eric May 22, 2015 5:45 am

Randy – Indeed I am left handed! Never even thought about it but I guess you’re right…the stones would be stepped in the other direction if I were a righty.

Andrew – I just used a few coats of Arm-R-Seal satin, as per my usual. :)

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Mark Webster March 18, 2016 11:22 pm

Great job Eric! Where did you find your removable tray. I would like to build a similar station but have not be able to locate a shallow tray like the one you used. Thanks

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Eric’s Sharpening Station

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