How to Grind Chisels and Plane Blades | Step 5 of 55
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Grinding is one of the most important — and often misunderstood — parts of working with chisels and plane blades.
In this tutorial, we focus on the theory of grinding, which is essential if you’re studying carpentry and joinery, and equally useful if you’re learning on your own.
Watch the full video here:
How to Grind Chisels and Plane Blades | Step 5 of 55
Tools & Resources
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What is Grinding?
Grinding is the process of reshaping the cutting edge of a tool.
It is not the same as sharpening.
- Grinding = setting the shape (primary bevel) - 25°
- Sharpening = refining and making it sharp - 30°
You typically grind when:
- The edge is damaged
- The angle is incorrect
- The tool is very blunt
Types of Grinding Wheels
There are two main types:
1. Wet Grinding Wheel
- Slow rotation
- Water cooled
- Safer for beginners
- Less risk of overheating
2. Dry Grinding Wheel
- Fast rotation
- Removes material quickly
- Can overheat the steel if not careful
In this lesson, I demonstrate using a wet grinding wheel.
Grinding Angle
The standard grinding angle is:
25°
This is also known as the primary bevel.
You may also hear about:
- 30° sharpening angle (secondary bevel — covered in the next lesson)
Safety and PUWER
Grinding equipment falls under:
PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998)
This means:
- Equipment must be safe
- Users must be trained
- Machines must be properly maintained
In many colleges:
- Students learn the theory
- Grinding is often done by teachers or technicians
Reality Check for Beginners
Most beginners:
- Do not own a grinding wheel
- Do not need one straight away
A common approach is to get tools ground professionally every 6 to 12 months if needed, and focus on sharpening skills first.
Grinding wheels can cost:
- £100 to £300+ (plus accessories)
So don’t worry if you don’t have one — understanding the process is the key first step.
The Grinding Process
- Set the angle to 25°
- Keep the blade moving side to side
- Apply light, controlled pressure
- Let the wheel do the work
- Check for a burr forming
Once grinding is complete, the tool still needs sharpening.
That is the next stage, and that’s where the tool becomes properly sharp and usable.
Quick Knowledge Check
1. What is the grinding angle for chisels?
- 30°
- 25°
- 45°
2. What does PUWER stand for?
- Power Usage Equipment Rules
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations
- Personal Use Work Equipment Regulations
3. What are the two main types of grinding wheels?
- Fast and Slow
- Hot and Cold
- Wet and Dry
What’s Next?
In the next lesson, we move on to sharpening.
Next lesson: How to Sharpen a Chisel
If this helped, I’d love to hear from you in the comments.