Many years ago I took a woodworking course at the local SUNY. About the only thing I remembered was how to sharpen plane blades and chisels. I was taught the hollow ground method and it's always worked well for me. I got a Delta 23-710 sharpening center but only use the vertical wheel to put in the hollow. Once that's done I use a stone to get the edge. You can probably find a wheel to mount on an electric motor to grind hollows, mine's a white stone, fine grit, about 1.5"wide and 5"dia.
Just my experience, I know there are others here with much more practical experience than mine.
