Method and apparatus for sharpening hardened tools

Abstract

An application for an apparatus for sharpening a cutting blade includes a source of high pressure water stream capable of cutting steel and a sharpening jig for positioning and holding the cutting blade perpendicular to the high pressure water stream, the sharpening jig provides a mechanism for moving the cutting blade so that a cutting edge of the cutting blade predictably passes beneath the high pressure water.

1 . An apparatus for sharpening a cutting blade, the apparatus comprising:
 a source of a high pressure water stream, the high pressure water stream capable of cutting steel; and   a sharpening jig for positioning and holding the cutting blade substantially perpendicular to the high pressure water stream, the sharpening jig providing a means for moving the cutting blade so that a cutting edge of the cutting blade predictably passes beneath the high pressure water stream.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus for sharpening a cutting blade of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting blade is a diamond steel circular blade and the sharpening jig comprises:
 a base platform;   a clamp for holding the base platform to a work table of the source of high pressure water stream; and   a hub for holding the diamond steel circular blade perpendicular to the high pressure water stream, the hub enabling rotation of the diamond steel circular blade.   
   
   
       3 . The apparatus for sharpening a cutting blade of  claim 2 , further comprising a standoff affixed to the base platform between the hub and the high pressure water, the standoff supporting a bottom surface of the diamond steel circular blade. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus for sharpening a cutting blade of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting blade is a diamond steel hole cutting bit and the sharpening jig comprises:
 a base platform;   a clamp for holding the base platform to a work table of the source of high pressure water stream;   a riser affixed to the platform and rising above the platform;   a threaded shaft rotatably interfaced with the riser for holding the diamond steel hole cutting bit perpendicular to the high pressure water stream; and   a means for rotating the threaded shaft, thereby rotating the diamond steel hole cutting bit beneath the high pressure water stream.   
   
   
       5 . The apparatus for sharpening a cutting blade of  claim 1 , wherein the cutting blade is a diamond steel edging tool and the sharpening jig comprises:
 a base platform;   a clamp for holding the base platform to a work table of the source of high pressure water stream;   a motor affixed to the base platform, the motor having a shaft;   a chuck for holding the diamond steel edging tool perpendicular to the high pressure water stream, the motor rotating the diamond steel edging tool situated in the chuck.   
   
   
       6 . The apparatus for sharpening a cutting blade of  claim 5 , further comprising a bearing, the bearing affixed to the base platform between the chuck and the motor, the shaft passing through the bearing whereas the bearing supports the shaft. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus for sharpening a cutting blade of  claim 5 , wherein the source of the high pressure water stream is programmed to travel over the cutting edge of the diamond steel edging tool while the diamond steel edging tool is rotated by the motor. 
   
   
       8 . A method of sharpening a diamond cutting tool, the method comprising:
 providing a diamond cutting tool having a dull cutting edge;   providing a source of high pressure water, the high pressure water capable of cutting steel; and   providing a sharpening jig for positioning and holding the cutting blade substantially perpendicular to the high pressure water;   rotating the diamond cutting tool whereas a cutting edge of the diamond cutting tool passes beneath the high pressure water and the dull cutting edge is cut sharp by the high pressure water.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the cutting blade is a diamond steel circular blade and the sharpening jig comprises:
 a base platform;   a clamp for holding the base platform to a work table of the source of high pressure water; and   a hub for holding the diamond steel circular blade perpendicular to the high pressure water, the hub enabling the rotating of the diamond steel circular blade.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising a standoff affixed to the base platform between the hub and the high pressure water, the standoff supporting a bottom surface of the diamond steel circular blade. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the cutting blade is a diamond steel hole cutting bit and the sharpening jig comprises:
 a base platform;   a clamp for holding the base platform to a work table of the source of high pressure water;   a riser affixed to the platform and rising above the platform;   a threaded shaft rotatably interfaced with the riser for holding the diamond steel hole cutting bit perpendicular to the high pressure water; and   a means for rotating the threaded shaft, thereby rotating the diamond steel hole cutting bit beneath the high pressure water.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the cutting blade is a diamond steel edging tool and the sharpening jig comprises:
 a base platform;   a clamp for holding the base platform to a work table of the source of high pressure water;   a motor affixed to the base platform, the motor having a shaft;   a chuck for holding the diamond steel edging tool perpendicular to the high pressure water, the motor rotating the diamond steel edging tool.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising a bearing, the bearing affixed to the base platform between the chuck and the motor, the shaft passing through the bearing whereas the bearing supports the shaft. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the source of high pressure water is programmed to travel over the cutting edge of the diamond steel edging tool while the diamond steel edging tool is rotated by the motor. 
   
   
       15 . An apparatus for sharpening a cutting blade, the apparatus comprising:
 a source of a high pressure water stream, the high pressure water stream capable of cutting steel; and   a means for positioning and holding the cutting blade substantially perpendicular to the high pressure water stream, the means for positioning and holding the cutting blade perpendicular having a means for moving the cutting blade so that a cutting edge of the cutting blade predictably passes beneath the high pressure water stream.   
   
   
       16 . The apparatus for sharpening a cutting blade of  claim 15 , wherein the cutting blade is a diamond steel circular blade and the means for positioning and holding the cutting blade perpendicular comprises:
 a base platform;   a means for holding the base platform to a work table of the source of high pressure water stream; and   a means for holding the diamond steel circular blade perpendicular to the high pressure water stream, the means for holding enabling rotation of the diamond steel circular blade.   
   
   
       17 . The apparatus for sharpening a cutting blade of  claim 16 , further comprising a standoff affixed to the base platform between the means for holding and the high pressure water stream, the standoff supporting a bottom edge of the diamond steel circular blade. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus for sharpening a cutting blade of  claim 15 , wherein the cutting blade is a diamond steel hole cutting bit and the means for positioning and holding the cutting blade substantially perpendicular comprises:
 a base platform;   a means for holding the base platform to a work table of the source of high pressure water stream;   a riser affixed to the platform and rising above the platform;   a means for holding the diamond steel hole cutting tool, the means for holding rotatably interfaced with the riser thereby holding the diamond steel hole cutting bit perpendicular to the high pressure water stream; and   a means for rotating the a means for holding, permitting rotation of the diamond steel hole cutting bit beneath the high pressure water stream.   
   
   
       19 . The apparatus for sharpening a cutting blade of  claim 15 , wherein the cutting blade is a diamond steel edging tool and the means for positioning and holding the cutting blade perpendicular comprises:
 a base platform;   a means for holding the base platform to a work table of the source of high pressure water stream;   a means for rotating the diamond steel edging tool affixed to the base platform;   a means for holding the diamond steel edging tool interfaced to the means for rotating, the means for holding maintaining the diamond steel edging tool substantially perpendicular to the high pressure water stream, the means for rotating adapted to rotate the diamond steel edging tool.   
   
   
       20 . The apparatus for sharpening a cutting blade of  claim 19 , wherein the source of high pressure water stream is programmed to travel over a cutting edge of the diamond steel edging tool while the diamond steel edging tool is rotated by the means for rotating.