Broken Aligner Clamp

ssblood

ssblood

BANNED
Joined
Jun 20, 2002
Messages
1,421
Anyone ever broken an aligner clamp for DMT? I was tigenting mine up, usually do it at 1 turn backed off after blade is set but decided to try it like someone had posted in the forum before and back off 1/4 turn then tighten plastic screw all the way, pop. Broke clamp.

How do you all setup your aligner clamp? Guess it will probably take me a week to get another clamp.
 
I used to just tighten it to where it was snug and then some. I could even see some bending of the clamp.
 
That's what I usually do, just snugged the brass screw too much I suppose. Do you usually screw the black screw in all the way? I try to do this so that I get more clearance for the bottom two slots, otherwise they are not usable.
 
I've always done like the directions said. Tighten then back off the brass screw then tighten the plastic screw until my fingers hurt.

I don't know how you broke it though, its not exactly cheap plastic.
 
It seems like some pretty good stuff, do you run the black screw all the way in? That was the only way I figured I could insure I kept the same angle everytime. When it broke it just popped. Dunno if DMT would consider it warranty or what:\ Next one I get I'll just do one full turn back off after tight. I'm using the Lansky clamp for the time being and it's working pretty good with the angle setting. This tanto is going to be nice! :D
 
I got in the habit of using tape or other material on either the blade, or on the inside surfaces of the clamp. One solution that works particularly well, is to use a small piece of wet/dry sandpaper (maybe 400/600 grit) with the paper backing against the blade, and the grit side against the clamping surface. Provides enough extra 'grip', so that I don't have to tighten the clamp's screws down so severely. Works especially well when wet (as would be expected of the wet/dry). I always use water when sharpening with my guided & clamped setups (including Lansky & Gatco), and sometimes the water will dislodge or loosen other tape (like masking or painter's tape; even duct tape slips a little when wet).
 
ssblood said:
That's what I usually do, just snugged the brass screw too much I suppose. Do you usually screw the black screw in all the way? I try to do this so that I get more clearance for the bottom two slots, otherwise they are not usable.
Click to expand...

I never screwed it in all the way, unless the blade was so thin that it was required to get a good grip.

Whatever you do, you want to keep the tightness consistent per knife, though, because the tighter the clamp, the more spread out the guide rods become (which increases the height and therefore slightly changes the angle.)
 
I just wanted to chime in and say that a week or so ago I broke my clamp and called DMT just to ask if I was setting it up correctly. I spoke to a very friendly lady at CS who said that it happens from time to time and she would send me a new clamp free of charge. I got the clamp today as well as a small extra fine stone thrown in too. I'm a happy DMT customer.
 
Wow. Good CS. I'll call them then instead of ordering a new one. Been so distracted with the sharpmaker I really haven't missed it. Nice to have when I do want to play with it though. Dang Lansky clamp is horrible to setup.
 
I have had two of them fail. On the first one the brass threaded piece that the screw turns into came out which meant I could not tighten the clamp. On another one the very small plastic protrusions that keeps the adjustable angle sections in place broke off so that the angle could not be maintained. I tried very hard to get a response from the DMT CS people but had no success. I have gone back to using the excellent DMT stones in a clamp from another maker.
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
I got in the habit of using tape or other material on either the blade, or on the inside surfaces of the clamp. One solution that works particularly well, is to use a small piece of wet/dry sandpaper (maybe 400/600 grit) with the paper backing against the blade, and the grit side against the clamping surface. Provides enough extra 'grip', so that I don't have to tighten the clamp's screws down so severely. Works especially well when wet (as would be expected of the wet/dry). I always use water when sharpening with my guided & clamped setups (including Lansky & Gatco), and sometimes the water will dislodge or loosen other tape (like masking or painter's tape; even duct tape slips a little when wet).
Click to expand...

Good idea! :thumbup: Gives more grip without adding strain on the clamp.The clamp can scratch blades as well and I don't find the plastic they use for the clamp or the angle rods to be at all durable. They replaced one for me after it broke on 3rd use, I was very pleased with their response as I live in Europe, but i still feel they need to upgrade that plastic-it's a very good and easy to use system with excellent stones.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top