Our version of the side clamping style of honing guide is solidly machined from Stainless Steel, with a Bronze bearing.
The Honing Guide features removable jaws: it comes with a standard pair of jaws that fit most of our blades, and additional jaws are available (sold separately) for Chisels 1/4" and under, tall jaws for Mortise Chisels, long jaws for very short blades and angled jaws for Skew Blades. We have designed these jaws for our blades and chisels, not other makers'.
For information on angle setting, click on the "Use" tab above.
Lie-Nielsen Honing Guide Jaws
The Standard Jaws (included with the Honing Guide) fit most of our plane blades, as well as our 5/16" to 1" Bevel Edge Chisels.
The Chisel Jaws fit our 1/8", 3/16", and 1/4" Bevel Edge Chisels (as well as our other Bevel Edge Chisels up to 3/4").
The Mortise Chisel Jaws fit all of our Mortise Chisels except the 1/10", and also accommodate our larger Bevel Edge Chisels.
The Long Jaws fit blades for all of our Spokeshaves and for the following Lie-Nielsen planes: No. 60-1/2R, 610, 10-1/4, 041, 042, 073, 101, 100, and 1/2. These jaws are reversible. The short end hones a bevel up to 40° and the long end hones a bevel up to 30°.
The 18° Skewed Jaws fit our No. 140 Skew Block Plane (left or right hand). The blade for the left hand No. 140 fits with the left skewed jaws, and the blade for the right hand No. 140 fits with the right skewed jaws.
The 30° Skewed Jaws fit our No. 98/99 Side Rabbet Planes (left or right hand). The blade for the No. 98 fits with the right skewed jaws, and the blade for the No. 99 fits with the left skewed jaws.
You can find printable sharpening instructions as well as plans for an angle setting jig on our
downloads page.
For more information on advanced sharpening we recommend David Charlesworth’s video
Plane Sharpening.
Please note: We do not recommend using diamond stones with the Lie-Nielsen Honing Guide. See the "Use" tab above for more information.
The distance the blade projects from the front edge of the Honing Guide determines the honing angle. The following list gives approximate distances in 5 degree increments:
20 degrees: 2-1/16" (52.38mm)
25 degrees: 1-1/2" (38.10mm)
30 degrees: 1-5/32" (29.36mm)
35 degrees: 7/8" (22.22mm)
40 degrees: 5/8" (15.87mm)
45 degrees: 7/16" (11.11mm)
50 degrees: 5/16" (7.93mm)
Using the Mortise Chisel Jaw Pair increases the honing angle approximately 5 degrees. For example, setting a blade in the Mortise Chisel Jaw Pair at 1-5/32" for 30 degrees, will result in an angle closer to 35 degrees.
To Attach Jaws:
To ensure the jaws are attached squarely in the guide, set the jaws onto the body of the guide without tightening the lock screws, then close the guide with the thumbscrew. Once the guide is closed and the two jaw halves are making contact, tighten down the lock screws. The jaws should now be properly aligned in the tool.
Sharpening:
You can find printable sharpening instructions as well as plans for an angle setting jig on our
downloads page.
For more information on advanced sharpening we recommend David Charlesworth’s video
Plane Sharpening.
Please note: We do not recommend using diamond stones with the Lie-Nielsen Honing Guide because as they wear, the diamond grit can get inside the roller and cause the honing guide to fail over time. The only time you will get a flat on the wheel is if the wheel jams and stops turning. This is more likely to happen with diamonds than any other medium.
Another reason not to use diamond stones is that they are rarely as flat as advertised and you cannot reflatten them. More importantly, they wear quite quickly and they will no longer be as aggressive as what you purchased.
We highly recommend only using waterstones as they can be flattened easily and you can be sure that you are working with a flat surface each time you go to sharpen. The DMT diamond plate we sell is for flattening waterstones only. We do not recommend using the honing guide, or sharpening blades on it.
Materials:
All parts are Stainless Steel, Brass, or Bronze. Keep the threads free of grit by rinsing off with water after use, but wipe off excess. If you want to oil the threads, use a light machine oil. This is not necessary.
Maintenance:
All parts are replaceable and available from us. To disassemble, use two screwdrivers to remove the Brass nut. The Brass nut is reverse-threaded and is secured with reversible (green or blue) Locktite. Unthread
the threaded rod from the body, remove one retaining clip to remove the roller bushing assembly. Reassemble in reverse order.
Guarantee:
Materials and workmanship are guaranteed for the life of your tool. Call for repairs or replacement parts. We are available for advice if you ever have a problem using your tool.
Proposition 65 Notice: Bronze and brass alloys contain lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects, or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
