New Take on Paper Wheel's

1

1scooter

Joined
Aug 23, 2011
Messages
52
I've been shaprening my knives for over 45 years. Joined this forum, and read about paper wheels. I've used a number of ways to sharpen over the years, with most being the DMT stones in the last few years.

I bought some paper wheels, and tried them, and got what I thought was good results, but just wasn't satisfied. After looking at the edge under magnafication, I could see what I envisioned to be some problems. So I drempt this up lying in bed about 2 weeks ago. Went to my shop and made it.

What I found was a distinct difference in the outcome of the edge. I was able (at least what I though i could) keep the blade pretty much at a given point on the wheel till I did this.
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What happens now is that you can hold that edge at exactly the same place on every pass. I'd say within a 1/16". That has made a very great improvement in my shaprening ability. Very quick because you are putting the exact angle on the blade on every pass. Can even split hairs now very quickly.. Im Happy!!!

I am in no way promoting paper wheels, im just sharing what has helped me when using them. And made a distinct difference. Hope this helps someone. Also I went to the green compound instead of the white, which I believe also helped.

Regards,
John
 
I bought a razor sharp system recently but haven't set it up. I can't wait to try it out!

What you did seems pretty interesting, though. What exactly is going on? I'm always looking to cut back human error, and this set up looks like something I would definitely want to do.

Also, where did you get the green compound? I don't remember if that came with the kit or not lol.
 
What I've done is set up a lazer on an adjustable stand that u can adjust to any angle. All you have to do is use a small level to plumb the long line before you set the angle that you desire. Very simple, and it works like crazy. You just swivel the ARM from the grit wheel to the slotted one. I'll be glad to go into further detail if needed.

White compound comes with the system, but I nought the green from Woodcrafters.
 
1scooter, a laser is not a good idea to use since they can blind/distract you while sharpening which would not be a good. a member has already thought of the idea and i told him the same thing. a little pointer made from a drinking straw with a piece of twist tie would be safer.
 
I think the lazer cost less than 20.00 from lowes. I had the metal. But maybe 10 to 20 dollars if you had to buy it. Then the cost of the paper wheels. I have two set ups already on two different grinders (buffers). I think the smaller buffer at lowes is about 60.00.

I have 1" wheels on the larger one and 3/4" on the lowes one.
 
All I can say is that I've used lazer for over 20 years in construction, and the work great for me. If this set up is not for you, then I suggest you not do it. No hard feelings what so ever, but it works great, best I've had in over 45 years of sharpening.
 
i would be afraid of having the laser hit me in the eyes and if it happens a lot it cant be good on your eyes. its a neat idea but you only get 1 set of eyes. maybe a single dot off to the side at an angle so there was no chance to hit you in the eyes.
i like how you have the box made. i need to make something like that up for my disk sander to help maintain the sparks so i can take it in the garage this winter if there are any warm enough days.
 
could put a housing over a laser and put a black stripe where it would hit the wheel so it isnt tooo bright (assuming its over 50milliwatts)
 
Resident laser junky here:)

Since the laser used in this setup was purchased at Lowe's (color scheme looks like Black & Decker, maybe?) it would have to meet FDA guidelines for such a device. It would be limited to a maximum output of 5 milliwatts. This is the estimated maximum safe power at which you can expect your blink reflex to save your eyes from damage. That takes into account a direct shot from a collimated beam. With it diffused into a line as in this setup, the risk would be even less. It's probably not much different than standing in front of the bar code scanner at the supermarket, assuming the blade might reflect light back towards your eyeballs. Therefor, I'd judge this setup to be reasonably safe.

(Note - I'm not a professional, I'm a hobbyist. I'm not a doctor or an optical engineer. I might have missed something. My opinion is worth what you paid for it, and as noted, you only get one set of eyes.)
 
That is a great idea. Holding the same place and keeping the blade flat has been my problem with the wheels. Where did you get a grinder/buffer with such a long shaft? That would be helpful with longer blades.
 
Yes I do wear saftey glasses, the line that it produces is faint, I think that it looks much brighter in the picture. I will add that during my many years in the construction industry, we use every day many types of lazers. Wall's set with them, ceramic tile, footers, concrete, suspended ceilings, plumbing, cabinets set, doors & windows, about anything you can admagine. Its not unusual in today's times to walk in to a home being built and be 3 or 4 lazers going in different areas. They're getting to be more comon the the level, even some level's have them included. Table saws, Radial, Chop, even Drill Presses have the now. Some of the ones that I have are much much more strong than this little Black & Decker one. I believe if used correctly in this manner, there could not possibly be any damage, as it shines almost vertically down on the wheel. I've never encounter any reflection off the blade.

As for the grinder, It's a Grizzley with the longer shaft's. The smaller one I have on the other table is a Porter Cable, from Lowe's.

Again as I've said, if it doesn't suit you needs, then by all means you should not try it. It just works super for me, better than anything i've ever tried in all my years.
 
The only danger I could see with the laser might be a distraction of some kind, although you're going to be watching the edge anyway so I wouldn't think that to be significant. The laser power, as PtD mentioned, is well below the danger threshold, and the reflection of the beam is going to carry only a fraction of that power, especially since the beam was first spread into a line by the level's optics, then further scattered by a second reflection off of a knife's edge. Safety glasses are a must anyway, so if you feel you'd like some additional protection, a set of laser-safe ones might be the way to go.
 
1scooter, are the paper clips on top of the "back board" related to the sharpening operation?? ??

Thanks
Rupert
 
Rlucius:
They are not with the small Black & Decker lazer. I was using them for a lazer pointer that I bought from an office supply store that uses a Dot that is usually used in presentations. With the pointer lazer, you had to figure out a way to hold down the button to make the lazer turn on, so i clipped the button with the paper clip to turn it on, then used another to clip it to the holder. The pointer, (I felt) did not do the job nearly as well as the line being straight across the entire wheel.
 
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