True confession. I bought one a while back. I thought it had to be good because it was Bridge City and blah, blah, blah. I have never been more disappointed or felt more deceived over a purchase in my life. Perfect review. All the work is on you and I found it impossible to replicate the same angle twice.
I 100% agree with this. I am still AMAZED they kept selling this item and the price man... it's crazy. This makes me never want to consider Bridge city again tbh :(
The first bit about setting it up is enough to just walk away from that thing. You could have 2 or 3 blades sharpened by the time you get that thing set up. Good video yet again. Keep it up, you're saving me money!
Yeah, this. I'm a freehand honer, I could have _all_ my user chisels honed by the time that thing was set up to do one plane.... assuming you didn't knock the wheel and have to start again!
I bought this just for the micro bevel, it’s replacing my Veritas mkII as the micro bevel adjustment is just poor, Iv had mine replaced twice now and every time the micro bevel is skewed with the roller adjustment. I have to manually readjust to a new angle keeping the roller as is to get a straight micro. So hoping this will be more effortless in a way. A full turn of the bridge city dial adjusts the blade by 2° I believe
I’m have the Veritas Mk 2 honing jig with the extra small blade attachment. It works well and less expensive. I haven’t had the issue with the skewed rollers so perhaps the issue is corrected
Free handing plane blades (Rob Cosman style) is simply too easy to mess around with hundred dollar jigs. It literally takes less than a minute to re-sharpen them. And I'm not talking about after years of practice. I just started hand tool work and I'm already good enough at it. Maybe I'm just a fast learner, but it just doesn't take much to polish up a micro bevel to a mirror shine and get tissue paper shavings. Holding the blade like Rob says makes it super easy. Smaller blades (like spokeshaves) are a different story but I still managed to do it well enough to make wood tissue paper (as I call it).
So many adjustments. Whoever is reading this: get the side-clamping Veritas honing guide for ~$45. Superior in every way. Fast setup, accurate, no guesswork.
I've got this honing guide and the angel jig. The angel jig is painful to use, literally. It has insanely sharp points in all 4 positions, and in almost impossible to hold comfortably to use. I just use a digital angle guide now. I do like the micro angle adjustment, but moving the fence to hold the blade square requires another tool. It makes me hate using it on any other blade than my 5 1/2 plane blade because I have to reset it.
I haven't bought any Bridge City stuff, but it all mostly looks like gimmicky, made to fleece beginners, stuff. Don't feel bad making negative reviews, you're just being honest.
it is kinda gimmicky tbh. after holding these 2 products, the jig and the block. They are kinda like the cheep knock off stuff you can buy on amazon but with a much higher price tag lol Thank you for saying that, you are right. We need more honesty and that is what I aim to do. I think I struggle cus it feels mean and I'm not a mean person haha
i would like to hear your thoughts on the veritas honing guide, the original one that is, not the mk11, it's dead simple, bullet proof and works. i believe it's called veritas sharpening system, it's been around for years, had mine for 20 yrs plus
@stevem268 I was trying to use it before I knew anything about anything haha so imma chalk it up to that haha hopefully I won't struggle with the one Dan is sending or imma look like a noob again lol
@@BatCaveCreations when you set the position of the guide in the angle thingy, make sure the roller is set closest to the clamp. that establishes the primary bevel. for the secondary bevel, just twist the roller knob one or two clicks
See I didn't even know that roller could move like that hahahha I guess I didn't give it a fair chance when I had it oh like 4 years ago now hahaha thank you!!
Another great video. I have one minor criticism. In editing, can you mute/edit out sound on the fast forward? I find the chipmunks a little irritating. Content, commentary and camerawork is wonderful.
@@BatCaveCreations Okay...I have a Veritas Mk 2. I bent two securing bars already; but, Veritas sent me two new ones to England. I also have the first low angle jack plane - slightly heavy, but useful. My original kit, Stanley, Record, Rabone Chesterman, Marples chisels are much better though. But, I have a couple of Hultafors heavy duty chisels - like the original Bahco Ergo ‘flat’ chisels and they are fantastic at all tasks even dovetailing. Take care.
This design is deeply flawed. The clamp down screw should be fixed perpenticular to the bed. Shortest distance from a point to surface is the perpenticular line (or normal line if the surface is not flat). The registration is simply wrong. If you have a 30 degree beveled blade in any angle lower than 30 in the guide, the belly of the bevel is touching the flat portion of the guide, but the tip is not. As you grind away the belly, the bevel is no longer whatever angle you were trying to achieve. There are way too many moving parts. Maybe a mechanical watch can top that in part count.
i agree! they needed to design a bit more, use it before producing but.... it seems like some ppl like it because it is still in production and not much changed haha
True confession. I bought one a while back. I thought it had to be good because it was Bridge City and blah, blah, blah. I have never been more disappointed or felt more deceived over a purchase in my life. Perfect review. All the work is on you and I found it impossible to replicate the same angle twice.
I 100% agree with this. I am still AMAZED they kept selling this item and the price man... it's crazy. This makes me never want to consider Bridge city again tbh :(
Friends don't let friends buy bad tools. Good advice
Well.... how do I get rid of this thing then!? Hahaha
The first bit about setting it up is enough to just walk away from that thing. You could have 2 or 3 blades sharpened by the time you get that thing set up. Good video yet again. Keep it up, you're saving me money!
Thank you!!! And... your welcome! Hahahahah
Yeah, this. I'm a freehand honer, I could have _all_ my user chisels honed by the time that thing was set up to do one plane.... assuming you didn't knock the wheel and have to start again!
Thank you for your informative review. I was about to order this.
Glad it was helpful!
The best part of this review was seeing Jamie literally go “Bat-tey”.😂
Hahhah couldn't help myself lol
Recent subscriber and hand tool noob. Your videos are really educating me. Keep up the good work!!
Thank you! I am glad they help! And thank you for joining!
Oh, man. That thing would finally force me to sharpen free-hand! :)
Hahha thats halariois!
I bought this just for the micro bevel, it’s replacing my Veritas mkII as the micro bevel adjustment is just poor, Iv had mine replaced twice now and every time the micro bevel is skewed with the roller adjustment. I have to manually readjust to a new angle keeping the roller as is to get a straight micro. So hoping this will be more effortless in a way. A full turn of the bridge city dial adjusts the blade by 2° I believe
Let us know how you like it! Thank you!
I’m have the Veritas Mk 2 honing jig with the extra small blade attachment. It works well and less expensive. I haven’t had the issue with the skewed rollers so perhaps the issue is corrected
Thank you!!! The small blade attachment is on my list. I don't think I realized it attached to the MK2
@@BatCaveCreations Sorry, made an error, it’s the narrow blade attachment that I have.
@@j10948 oh oh the side clamping? Love that attachment!!!
Pretty sure I could have had all my chisels and irons sharpened while you were fiddling with that thing!
Spot on!! Lol
Free handing plane blades (Rob Cosman style) is simply too easy to mess around with hundred dollar jigs. It literally takes less than a minute to re-sharpen them. And I'm not talking about after years of practice. I just started hand tool work and I'm already good enough at it. Maybe I'm just a fast learner, but it just doesn't take much to polish up a micro bevel to a mirror shine and get tissue paper shavings. Holding the blade like Rob says makes it super easy. Smaller blades (like spokeshaves) are a different story but I still managed to do it well enough to make wood tissue paper (as I call it).
I get that, I free hand too but it took me a while to learn so I have nothing against using jig or people using jigs. I do. Just not this one hahahha
That is just.... crazy. And OMG the full price is _insane_ for what it is!
Exactly!!!! Like 30 to 50 ok maybe but... 200+ even 100+ is asinine for this thing!
So many adjustments. Whoever is reading this: get the side-clamping Veritas honing guide for ~$45. Superior in every way. Fast setup, accurate, no guesswork.
100% agree with you!
I've got this honing guide and the angel jig. The angel jig is painful to use, literally. It has insanely sharp points in all 4 positions, and in almost impossible to hold comfortably to use. I just use a digital angle guide now. I do like the micro angle adjustment, but moving the fence to hold the blade square requires another tool. It makes me hate using it on any other blade than my 5 1/2 plane blade because I have to reset it.
Thank you for sharing! Makes me feel less crazy hahha
Dude... not worth it! This is why you do great reviews!
Thank you!! I had high hopes for this thing but.... ouch hahaha
Omg, this thing is more expensive than the full-blown mk2. I had fewer problems with my $15 cheap roller guide.
100% agree! Lol
I haven't bought any Bridge City stuff, but it all mostly looks like gimmicky, made to fleece beginners, stuff.
Don't feel bad making negative reviews, you're just being honest.
it is kinda gimmicky tbh. after holding these 2 products, the jig and the block. They are kinda like the cheep knock off stuff you can buy on amazon but with a much higher price tag lol
Thank you for saying that, you are right. We need more honesty and that is what I aim to do. I think I struggle cus it feels mean and I'm not a mean person haha
i would like to hear your thoughts on the veritas honing guide, the original one that is, not the mk11, it's dead simple, bullet proof and works. i believe it's called veritas sharpening system, it's been around for years, had mine for 20 yrs plus
I had one when I was a noob woodworker and struggled with it. Our buddy Dan has one posted, I snaged it lol video in the works!
@@BatCaveCreations i got mine when i was a noob, it was easy!!
@stevem268 I was trying to use it before I knew anything about anything haha so imma chalk it up to that haha hopefully I won't struggle with the one Dan is sending or imma look like a noob again lol
@@BatCaveCreations when you set the position of the guide in the angle thingy, make sure the roller is set closest to the clamp. that establishes the primary bevel. for the secondary bevel, just twist the roller knob one or two clicks
See I didn't even know that roller could move like that hahahha I guess I didn't give it a fair chance when I had it oh like 4 years ago now hahaha thank you!!
Love the vid. It seems over engineered for sure
Another great video. I have one minor criticism. In editing, can you mute/edit out sound on the fast forward? I find the chipmunks a little irritating. Content, commentary and camerawork is wonderful.
noted, thank you! would no sound be better? idk if i can get a short tune in that time lol deff appreciate the feedback!
@@BatCaveCreations For the few seconds I don't think sound is needed.
Ok cool! Thank you again!
FWIW I enjoy the fast forward sounds. Kinda like ASMR
Thank you! We are officially tied ahha 5 told me they don't like them and 5 said they do lol
Surely, this abomination was sent by Ah-Pook The Destroyer, to drag our souls into the abyss.
hahhha THATS IT!!!!
Crazy set up. No way would I buy it.
One more thing, not only is it hard to use, it is VERY pricy.
100%!!!!!
You lied to me: you must be a millionaire! Freehand or Eclipse honing guide?
hahaha I also got these used from a friend for A LOT off retail lol
either free hand or the eclipse jig is better than this one!!!!
@@BatCaveCreations Okay...I have a Veritas Mk 2. I bent two securing bars already; but, Veritas sent me two new ones to England. I also have the first low angle jack plane - slightly heavy, but useful. My original kit, Stanley, Record, Rabone Chesterman, Marples chisels are much better though. But, I have a couple of Hultafors heavy duty chisels - like the original Bahco Ergo ‘flat’ chisels and they are fantastic at all tasks even dovetailing. Take care.
You have a great kit! Thank you for sharing! Enjoy!
Honestly for the price of their bigger planes and tools, is rather just buy a mini mill and make my own.
Haha 100% agree with you!!!
Definitely looks overly complicated. I paid a bit more for the MkII (with all the accessories) and have never regretted it.
SAME!
This design is deeply flawed.
The clamp down screw should be fixed perpenticular to the bed. Shortest distance from a point to surface is the perpenticular line (or normal line if the surface is not flat).
The registration is simply wrong. If you have a 30 degree beveled blade in any angle lower than 30 in the guide, the belly of the bevel is touching the flat portion of the guide, but the tip is not. As you grind away the belly, the bevel is no longer whatever angle you were trying to achieve.
There are way too many moving parts. Maybe a mechanical watch can top that in part count.
Lol I love this! Thank you!
Good concept, good design, lousy implementation. Thx.
i agree! they needed to design a bit more, use it before producing but.... it seems like some ppl like it because it is still in production and not much changed haha
Wow, that thing is a POS. Bridge city is soooo over rated and overpriced.