Sharpening with a Dremel
North of 8
Posted 12/26/2017 7:08 AM (#888062)
Subject: Sharpening with a Dremel




With this cold weather, I was thinking of going to the shop and touching up hooks with a Dremel tool and a small cone shaped stone. Have always used a file but thought that might be a faster and maybe better way. However, another fisherman said no, that would take the temper out of the hooks. To me, as easy as they are to file, I didn't think they were hardened. Could not find anything online about it. Anyone have some idea on this?
Jeff78
Posted 12/26/2017 7:38 AM (#888064 - in reply to #888062)
Subject: Re: Sharpening with a Dremel





Posts: 1660


Location: central Wisconsin
I'd stick with a file, to easy to remove too much material in a short time. You're retired, take your time.
NathanH
Posted 12/26/2017 7:38 AM (#888065 - in reply to #888062)
Subject: RE: Sharpening with a Dremel





Posts: 859


Location: MN
I don't sharpen with a Dremel but the temper argument is hogwash. You're not on the hook that long.
North of 8
Posted 12/26/2017 7:42 AM (#888066 - in reply to #888064)
Subject: Re: Sharpening with a Dremel




Jeff78 - 12/26/2017 7:38 AM

I'd stick with a file, to easy to remove too much material in a short time. You're retired, take your time.


Thanks, I really had not thought about over doing it. And I do like having the time to sharpen every hook. My problem in the shop is if there is a power tool that will do the job, I always want to use it. Sometimes I think it takes me longer to set up a tool or machine than it would to just do it by hand.
muskie! nut
Posted 12/26/2017 8:55 AM (#888078 - in reply to #888062)
Subject: Re: Sharpening with a Dremel





Posts: 2894


Location: Yahara River Chain
Hooks are not a chunk of metal that needs to be shaped. The hooks only need to be honed and a Dremel even with a fine stone is too much and if its not, then the possibility of getting out of hand is very real.
muskyroller
Posted 12/26/2017 10:30 AM (#888084 - in reply to #888078)
Subject: Re: Sharpening with a Dremel




Posts: 1039


Location: North St. Paul, MN
Watch this...

https://youtu.be/Tbw9OS3bGiI

I fish with Adam. He uses his religiously and it works wonders. He got me doing it too. Mine is on a cord, though. So, I use the file in the boat and electric dremel at home.
upnortdave
Posted 12/26/2017 4:59 PM (#888100 - in reply to #888084)
Subject: Re: Sharpening with a Dremel




Posts: 668


Location: mercer wi
I use a battery dremel with the round fine stone. Just a little touch on the sides and one on outside. You don't need a major angle to the point otherwise you'll stub the point. I also use the low speed. Been doing this for 3-4 year and works great for me. Just takes a bit of practice to get angle right to the point.
Sidejack
Posted 12/26/2017 6:19 PM (#888104 - in reply to #888062)
Subject: Re: Sharpening with a Dremel




Posts: 1084


Location: Aurora
Been there done that and it's not faster or better in my opinion.
I'm constantly checking and touching them up anyway so it never ended up being a time saver for me.
Plus, most hooks sharpened over winter need a touch up by spring anyway because once you expose the raw point to air and check it against your finger, nail, skin, etc, corrosion begins.
Once you get good with a flat file, 5 or 6 strokes is all most hook points need and there's no substitute for doing it the night before/in the boat the day of for peace of mind sake.
North of 8
Posted 12/26/2017 6:35 PM (#888105 - in reply to #888062)
Subject: Re: Sharpening with a Dremel




I do always check before I throw them and keep two different kinds of file in the boat but wondered if the dremel might do a better job, but on reflection I could see myself trying to do "just a bit more" and wrecking a hook. I have spent hours in the shop redoing a glued up wooden table top or something similar because I wanted to get it perfect, then over did in a spot with a sander and basically had to do the whole thing over. Never happens when I hand sand.
Musky_Mo16
Posted 12/26/2017 11:54 PM (#888132 - in reply to #888062)
Subject: Re: Sharpening with a Dremel




Posts: 735


Location: Apparently where the Muskie aren't
I thought about the dremel too because I wasn't that good at sharpening hooks when I got started but I've taken time to learn how to properly use a file (it's not that hard) and I can a razor sharpe hook very quickly. Only takes 3-4 passes.
supertrollr
Posted 12/27/2017 9:09 AM (#888152 - in reply to #888062)
Subject: Re: Sharpening with a Dremel


i have never use a dremel for it but im sure it can be a very good tool for these #*^@ saltwater hooks or the 3551 no 10/0
Propster
Posted 12/28/2017 12:12 AM (#888233 - in reply to #888062)
Subject: Re: Sharpening with a Dremel




Posts: 1901


Location: MN
I use a dremel (battery so I can do it in the boat as well) but I use the flat sanding discs. I actually double them up for sturdiness and I can sharpen a hook much better than with a file. And no worries about taking too much off. You take what is needed to make that particular hook sharp. I sharpen most like Tom Gelb does with a file - making almost a knife like edge on the inside edge of the hook
TCESOX
Posted 12/28/2017 3:20 PM (#888298 - in reply to #888062)
Subject: Re: Sharpening with a Dremel





Posts: 1264


Corded Dremel at home, file in the boat. Very easy to get them sticky sharp.
fishhawk50
Posted 12/28/2017 10:44 PM (#888334 - in reply to #888062)
Subject: Re: Sharpening with a Dremel




Posts: 1416


Location: oconomowoc, wi
dremel all the way! little practice and a steady hand like a dentist. needle points!
Tnatod7177
Posted 12/29/2017 9:14 PM (#888410 - in reply to #888062)
Subject: Re: Sharpening with a Dremel




Posts: 12


Dremel is the best way I have found to sharpen hooks. Super quick. I keep a battery dremel in my boat at all times. I use a heavy duty cutting wheel using the flat side of it kinda like a belt sander. Works great when doing 100’s of hooks