Frankensharpener

ACLakey

ACLakey

Joined
Jan 24, 2016
Messages
123
I found an old Delta 1x30 belt grinder that I forgot I had, the frame was broken and the table was missing. I decided to make a Frankensharpener so I mounted it to a wood base, made a stainless steel guide rod and attached my Lansky clamp. I purchased a few good belts and a leather stropping belt...wow this thing can sharpen a knife.

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Like most 1x30 grinders, this thing is fast and requires a delicate touch...especially with the finer grit belts. It does build quite a static charge and shocks the crap out of me from time to time...any thoughts on grounding it? I also found the idler wheel creates a pitch to the belt so when using the slack portion of the belt and drawing the blade across it can eat the tips off. To cure this I sharpen on the platen and strop on the slack portion. Please post any thoughts or recommendations. At some point I will tear this thing apart and install the components without the frame and find a smaller drive wheel to slow the belt speed down.
 
Neat idea and powered sharpeners can definitely eat knife tips LOL (my experience on KO Worksharp).

Can a variable speed controller be wired into it instead? I think that'd be easier than setting up a new drive pulley if possible...
 
I was thinking about picking a cheap one up and giving it a try...if the motor gives out I'm only out a little time.
 
To keep yourself from getting zapped, you need to ground yourself, not the machine. They sell grounding straps that go on your wrist and connect to ground like some bare metal pipe.
 
I was wondering if a metal brush on the inside of the belt that was grounded would remove the static charge....thoughts?
 
ACLakey said:
I was wondering if a metal brush on the inside of the belt that was grounded would remove the static charge....thoughts?
Click to expand...

No. The static charge is being built in your body. You're the capacitor. The charge is being built as you're holding the knife against the belt. (Or another possibility is the knife that you're holding is in the fluctuating magnetic field of the motor and that builds up a charge.)

It's similar to driving a car, as the tires turn, it does build up a static charge. I remember reading an article that it was a problem at gas stations. Either they fixed the car or the pumps so that the person was grounded before he pumped the gas.

But, you know what? no harm in trying what you suggest - putting a metal brush on the inside of the belt.

I figure my first suggestion to you was easier and cheaper.

Good luck and best wishes. And I hope you figure out how to keep from getting zapped.
 
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