Sharpening Graphite and Charcoal

by Gloria Hager
(Natural Bridge Va.)

I got so tired of spending all that time re-sharpening my pastel pencils before I could start another picture that I had to figure out something other than sharpeners that break my leads and craft knifes that do the same with my arthritic fingers at the helm and sanding which is even worse.

I am a machinist by trade, so that stepped in and I went and got my 3/8 inch variable speed, hand tightening chuck drill and put one of my pencils in it and got my sandpaper and it did a fantastic job in no time! Depending on the angle you hold the pencil is the sharpness and length of the tip.

Just remember to keep control and start out with a feather touch of pressure.And slow speed to start.You may want to steady the end of the pencil with two fingers on the sandpaper like a cue stick. It is easy after a while.