Knife sharpening with machine-driven belts

[rsser]

Should add to the above that I can't see why for freehanding you couldn't take a spare or worn platen and fix a convex top platen to it out of hardwood. It doesn't have to take heavy loads and heat dissipation is not an issue except at the tip of knives.

[fields]

That makes sense about the platten,

I just have the feeling in the back of my mind that for the price its a bit too much,

although I don't need yet another project, making one myself

[rsser]

Yeah: the whole setup is exxy. I can justify it as it makes a lot of other gear redundant or unnecessary.

[rsser]

Stumbled across this youtube vid where he butt joins several strips fixing with fibreglass tape. That probably demands presenting the edge in trailing mode



His Harbor Freight unit looks identical to my cheapie.

Quality tape would be called for I'd say. Search for filament or fibreglass tape. I've ordered some of this: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/141218868...84.m1439.l2649 There's a bunch of 3M micro-finishing abrasive sheets to try out.

[US-Oz]

Is everyone who bought the Sonic still happy?

I see the identical product is available in the UK labelled Sealey (very slightly more expensive on eBay).

sealey.jpg

Similar products are for sale in the US/Canada:

• at Amazon for US$135 (Grizzly brand, better product)
• at Blackrock Tools for about CA$105 (Samona / Rok brand)
• at Harbor Freight in the US for about US$40 (no disc sander)

Thinking of buying one .... I already have a Work Sharp sharpener (a mini version of this sort of tool), so I hope it's not overkill. It's just that I'd like to freehand a bit more ...

[rsser]

Looks on the redundant side to me.

I'd just leave the guides off the WS and experiment.

Course there's much less belt area on the WS and I expect they slug you for replacements. With the Sonic and its brothers you can DYI belts in the fine high quality abrasives that are hard or impossible to source otherwise.

[US-Oz]

Rsser, do you have the Sonic and if so, what is your opinion of it now? Thanks

[rsser]

Reading the thread too tiring for you?

[US-Oz]

I'm asking for an update. Has your opinion changed?

Edit: and as I thought, there is no clear statement by you in this thread that you own the unit.

[rsser]

rsser wrote as the first entry of the thread

Many knife sharpeners rave about this option and with some mileage under the belt (cough) there's something in it.

I use something like what's pictured with our Western knives; freehanding above the platen.

Your standard of clear and mine clearly differ.

And the post made in March indicates what I'm exploring with this machine.

Don't waste our time replying. I've made you invisible thankfully.

[US-Oz]

I'll reply to you, even though your snarky responses show you're a complete jerk.

There is nothing in what you've quoted, by my reading, that tells me you do or don't own the Sonic unit. Perhaps I'm not skilled in parsing the cryptic way you write. "I use something like what's pictured with our Western knives" is not a clear statement.

Carefully re-reading the thread, I see you have posted a picture of an old Ryobi unit that looks a bit like the Sonic, so my presumption is that that is what you own.

My god, why bother being so bloody unpleasant and uncivil to other posters here ffs?

Once again, if anyone owns a Sonic and would like to update us on how the unit is performing over time, I'm all ears.

[Robson Valley]

I can't find that I've posted in this thread before.
Question: do you all wish to keep the useful bevel angles BIG secret?

No amount of sharpening equipment can replace ignorance of the needed angles for the edges
of your tools. My machinist's manual shows 10 (ten) different drill bit tip angles for the stock materials.

I use 6+ different bevel angles for optimum edges in my wood carving tools.
They are all between 30 degrees and 6 degrees.
I'll let you guess what they are.

[rsser]

The bearings on the Ryobi motor are now screeching under load. Looks like it's reached the end of its life. It's not been a hard one so this is disappointing. I'm debating about getting a Sonic from eBay.

[Ben Dono]

Im sure the bearings could be swapped out easily enough. I would not even bother measuring them, just take them to a good bearing shop and they can sort out the replacements. Or save a quid and buy them online if you can measure them.

Not that I want to talk you out of buying a new tool though! It's always a good day when you bring a new addition into the workshop!

[Ben Dono]

Now I want to go tool shopping! ........