Belt sharpeners

[Maximumbob54]

I've used a couple of the Work Sharp offerings for a few years now and I've thought about some of the larger setups that use more common larger belts. Poking around youtube looking at what's out there I keep seeing these being used and I have to question how you keep from ruining the heat treat on the edge. It's a common enough complaint about factory edges having to be reground and I'm not looking to recreate that mess.

Is it as simple as just keeping a bucket of water to dip into every pass or so? The original Ken Onion version of the Work Sharp had an adjustable speed dial; do any of the larger systems do this?

 

[pwest]

It's as simple as going slow. See e.g. https://www.bladeforums.com/threads...ical-sharpening-options.1939442/post-22055322

-Phil

 

[Blade Lab]

There are some larger belt grinders with variable speed controls. Some people also modify standard 1x30s with a variable power supply, but I think that requires replacing the motor as well.

Aside from belt speed, though, heat also depends on pressure and how fast you draw the blade across the belt. it's also important to remember that heat is a bigger problem with finer grit belts than coarse belts. And yep, water is essential if you feel it starting to get warm.