New Clamp set up for my EP

3

303tango

Joined
Nov 12, 2012
Messages
53
Previously, I had a modified KME frame and clamp mounted on this EP table. That didn't meet my expectations and I had another style clamp that I thought might fit. Here it is. I can tell you this is a pretty easy mod and there is no loosy goosie to the clamped blade. After i got this put together, I realized there were a couple of small easy changes I needed to make. So it isn't quite done but you get the idea of how things work. Even with the single clamp half as shown here this is super solid.

The sharp eyed may notice a WashBoard pattern on the plate that's on deck. Heavy Handed and I are exploring ways WB technology might enhance the Edge Pro System......

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I don't know anything about the clamps on the EP, but that Washboard looks pretty good on it....:D
 
That entire set up looks really awesome; the EP should have a clamp IMO and the washboard stone sounds really interesting.

I put neodymium magnets under the table where the blade sits on my EP so far so good but a clamp would be the best as the knife still shifts around a bit during sharpening.
 
A clamp on the EP would be nice, but I'm concerned that sharpening at lower angles would be limited.
 
uofaengr,
In the first series of photo's, just the top half of the clamp is used. That set up would get down to about 11* and change. Not too bad, but I'd like to see 10*. The major challenge with that config is the wide table of the EP interferes with thumb studs on folders. I have since added the bottom half of the clamp and moved it forward to avoid interference with the EP Table. The jaw config's are easy and fast to change from one to the other. I'm thinking that this is the config that I'll use most often. The single jaw would be great for large knives.

I had been looking seriously at the Wicked Edge however, this clamp arrangement locks the blade down solid with a zero cash outlay. Needless to say, I like that! Here is today's pic's.
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Does it get tedious unclamping and reclamping every time you want to flip the blade? Which as we know with the EP is quite often.
 
The red knob on top of the clamp is loosened, and the blade is repositioned, flipped. etc. I don't know of anything that would be less tedious and still be rock solid. Hold it! I'm wrong. The Wicked Edge would be. If I were looking for my first system, had an extra $700. that would be my choice. I had all of the parts to do this and after the head scratching time, went together pretty quick. I'd love to see the EP hit the market with a clamp set up and a quick release lever on the jaws. IMHO, that would be a game changer. I did get the KME thinking that would be the answer for me, but, just too much wiggle up and down in the jaws for me. Now, I need to get the heim end on my guide rod to remove the play and we'll be good to go. If you are curious about that mod check out "MadRookies" posts, that boy is a genius.
 
After seeing the mod on here that incorporates the KME jaw with the EP, I had thought that was the answer with it's rotating design, but I wasn't aware that the KME had all the play that you describe. One of the things that turns me off about the Wicked Edge is that it seems like it'd be a hassle getting FFG clamped perfectly 90 degrees with no wiggle when putting pressure on the blade with the stone. The clamp with the quick release that you describe I think would be a big hit for EP as with some of my blades that aren't comfortable to get a consistent hold and are shorter with upswept tips (small clip point Sebenza 21 w/ single lug..prime example here) it'd be very useful.

I don't have the EP Pro like you guys so I'm not familiar with the heim end guide rod or see where it'd be applicable on the EP Apex. The only issue I have with play on the Apex is the hole that the stone arm slides through so when setting my initial angle with an angle cube, I put pressure down on the blade as if I'm sharpening rather than simply resting the stone on the edge. This play yields a difference in about 0.2 degrees. I haven't thought of a good way to correct that yet. Something could be slipped over the arm similar to the "Subway straw over the Wicked Edge stone arm mod" but the end of the stone arm is not removable.

Now if someone would like to cut out slots in their EP blade table to see if it can mitigate blade scratching, we might be on to something here. :)
 
uofaengr,

That heim joint I mentioned in the previous post replaces that wobbly loose bunch of monkey motion you speak of. And what they do is to make a new rod of the same diameter threaded on one end. Then, the heim end screws onto that. The heim joint is a drilled ball and socket that the guide rod fits through, and it has zero play. The only thing you loose in the process is the degree marks on the rod. Not really a big loss, an angle cube works really for the EP. The marks are just ball park anyway. Not exact. I'm like you, I thought that the KME would be the answer, Sadly, not so. Now I have a box full of hacked up KME parts.....
 
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