I use my 98202 primarily for planer and super surfacer knives. The stones MUST be slightly conical with the outside lower than the center, or you won't be able to pass over the other side of the wheel with a 12" blade, for example (I modified mine to handle 18" blades). What's missing for viewers watching this vid, is the entire blade holding carriage on the front of the machine has been removed. While the carriage is designed to hold jointer/planer/surfacer knives, it's easy to make a jig to hold hand plane blades and chisels. It's also far less sloppy to drape a wicking fabric over the side of the reservoir onto the wheel, you only need enough water to suspend the swarf so the wheels don't glaze with metal. There's not enough speed or power to create much heat. Spent years perfecting my technique on this machine, I love it.
1) I used this damnable gadget, or tried to for many years, including making supplementary jigs to hold straight hand tools, as you cite.I always found the arrangement a little sloppy for my taste, and finally gave up altogether. I wish the machine were available without this option, which adds lots of cost, and is a blunder from my point of view. Glad you've made good use of it, and of course I agree about the stone shape, another downside in my opinion. 2) As an overgrown kid, I love splashing water, and consider this a feature. Play time!
Your method of sharpening is far different from what Makita suggests….West Chazy had one purportedly for jointer and planer blades but I could never get the right knack of settings to make it work correctly. Works great on and planes and chisels though 😅!
