Are your WE ball joint arms different?

David45

David45

Joined
Oct 27, 2017
Messages
330
First, I’m really impressed with my new Wicked Edge system. I’m still getting used to it and breaking in the stones but it makes sharpening S110V pretty easy.
But I noticed the two ball joint threaded ends are slightly different. One side seems to screw into the angle positioning guild further than the the other side. I noticed this when the arms folded together at a different angle even when the angle guilds are set at the same degree notch on the cross bar when the micro adjustments are both screwed all the way into the angle guilds. If you look closely (at least on mine) the threaded end on one arm goes all the way to the ball joint, whereas the other has a a 1/8 unthreaded section that keeps the ball joint from screwing in right up to the guild block.
It appears to me that I have to use the micro adjustment feature to get the same angle on both sides if I set both sides micro adjustment screws such that the ball joint is as close to the angle guides as possible because one side stands off about a 1/8 inch from the guild.
Is this normal?
 
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I haven't kept up with what's new at W.E.... but no, that does not sound normal. Symmetry is part of the process.

I would call on Monday and ask for a replacement set that matches. (Email if you're in no hurry). ;)
 
I found the problem.

The press-fit end of the threaded shaft had pulled through the ball-joint core just about 1/8 inch. You could see the smooth, unthreaded part of the shaft pulling out, and the other end sunken into the ball-joint. Perhaps someone (me?) over tightened the micro adjustment and the sooth end above the threads started to pull the ball-joint (not tight enough to stay put).

So, I pulled the shaft all the way out of the ball-joint and squashed the smooth end in a vice to deform it a little. I then put the threaded end of the shaft back through the ball-joint and coated the smooth end with permanent Lock-Tite. Then I wedged the smooth end back through the center of the joint. It was wedged tight so I don't expect any further slippage. It now appears the threads go into the core of the joint and that's the way the other side looks.

I think I probably have this fixed without bothering the folks at WE. Now the arms are mounted symmetrically. I'll see if they stay that way. If not, it's off to the folks at WE. At worst I'll have to buy a replacement ball joint assembly.
 
I never heard of that happening. I think I'd still ask for a new set... a lot depends on those little joints working properly. (Pretty sure you won't need to send it in for that).
 
I would like to know as well. I have not had any problems with my WE130. I guess they fixed the problems that others complained about.
 
The folks at Wicked Edge have been great when it comes to replacing defective components on my WE130. If you contact them I am sure they will make things right.
 
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