My WEPS mods.... more to come

[REK Knives]

Hey guys... I wrote up a review a while back on the WEPS vs EP Apex in another thread. Well here is the result of the things I didn't like in the WEPS.

1. I took the joints apart on the paddle rod arms and re-inforced them with some PB washers to reduce play
2. I went to a local nut/bolt store and got the screws you see in the pictures to hold the rod arms in place while sharpening since I found that the finger tightening was not enough and they would loosen up while in the process.
3. I bent 2 vises (possibly due to bad HT according to Kay at WEPS), so I wanted one that was going to be a beast and never break or bend... I had one made out of hardened A2 tool steel and it has held up EXCELLENTLY. It is in the pics.... they made me an exact replica of the one that came with WEPS.
4. I designed some arm extensions that I had the same metal fabrication shop create for me (out of A2 again - I know, it was a little overboard but still =)). These will allow me to truly sharpen straight razors (which you can't do efficiently from the factory with the WEPS) and also sharpen scissors I believe (I will be posting more pics of this soon, along w/ the vacuum base mod thanks to COF - instructions are found on his website). Haven't tried scissors yet, but will today. I don't think it will be an issue w/ my mods =).

Hope you guys like it....it suits my needs and purposes. I like the design/theory of sharpening behind the WEPS over the EP, but in quality? EP takes it all day... Have a good one!

SEE MORE PICTURES HERE!

 

[Komitadjie]

That is one HELL of a good-looking upgrade set! Wow, now there's some gorgeous work right there, and no more possible problems with the bottom screw digging into the vise jaw on the opposing side, either.

 

[Captain Ron]

Looks like a big improvement over the standard one. What did it cost as far as the mods go? Not trying to be nosy just wondering.

 

[REK Knives]

thanks guys! yeah, it is definitely a big improvement.... for the vise it was $125 (got the hook up on HT... he threw it in w/ a batch from another customer). the Straight razor mods were crazy at $80 each. They probably would have been a lot cheaper if i had had them made out of HT aluminum, but i just went for it and had them made out of the same stuff as the vise =) I had to be able to do straights....so this is the only thing that would work.