HOW TO: Sharpen Lathe Bits 

I have a video on that: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-j1Nm27LTkIQ.html Feel free to use my free curriculum in your training guide. (I have grade 12's sharpen lathe bits)

When I was teaching at a trade school, we had a few students who couldn't tell the time without a digital clock (couldn't use analog) Luckily, not too many in the 11,500+ I taught as I had to teach measuring, feeler gauges, snap (T) gauges and ball gauges, vernier calipers and micrometer use (metric and Imperial) in the days before 'everyone' used $10.00 'Made in China' electronic calipers I did manage to get 128ths of inch vernier removed from course as I had never used one in almost 30 years since I trained (although they are/were used a lot in woodworking I believe?) I'm a bit older than you and switching from inch to metric is a little more challenging since I stopped teaching and using it 'everyday'

Hand them a set of standard dial micrometers with a Vernier scale instead of a digital readout, they are freak'n lost ! Even some coming out of community college with a degree in machining !

I used whatever came on the grinder. A finer stone will give a better finish, however. in the school shop I stick with the more coarse stone and put up with a less-than-optimal finish in the interest of stone longevity with all the other grinding it gets used for.

@GregWellwood thank you! I have a lathe but have been using carbide inserts, and have wanted to venture into high speed steel and different geometries. I held off because I thought I needed an expensive grinder. I will give this a go!

At school, I use HSS because they are cheap and quick to sharpen. Kids would shatter the carbide, and then try to machine their projects with the cutter holder. At home I use carbide except for unique cutters that I make from HSS.

@GregWellwood thank for your insights!

Many wee scratches hide that one BIG one that really bothers me (got it while wearing it).

As a tradesman machinist, you already know that the clearance depends on the material you are cutting AND the type of tool holder. You can tell this is not used in a turret style tool holder.

*you're

@@GregWellwood LMAO ! BUSTED ! I Love it when a know-it-all gets slam-dunked !