Sharpmaker Rods Are loose In Base?

[Razor]

When I put the rods in my base they are real loose. I have been sticking paper in the holes to tighten them up. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[bolabeenz]

I got one 4-5 yrs ago and thought they were loose. I put a digital angle protractor on the rods and they were where they should be; 15/20 degrees. I would just use them without the paper. The pressure of the knife on the rod is enough to get the right angel. I think the slack is there to make changing rods easier.

 

[kreisler]

how about thin adhesive tape (Scotch tape, 3M) instead of paper

 

[annr]

how about thin adhesive tape (Scotch tape, 3M) instead of paper

This is what I had a student do. There was so much play on the rods that it was ridiculous, so we wrapped the end in painter’s tape—comes off easily and leaves no glue.

Ultimately, I think they still worked ok even with the play since the pressure of the knife on the rod eliminated the wobble.

 

[Razor]

The tape idea sounds good. Thanks everybody.

 

[bolabeenz]

Be aware that anything you do to the rods in the base could affect the sharpening angle.

 

[maximus83]

This is what I had a student do. There was so much play on the rods that it was ridiculous, so we wrapped the end in painter’s tape—comes off easily and leaves no glue.

Good tip and +1. What I'd suggest is very similar to this, it's a thick white tape called "gaffer's tape" that sticks really well but is much easier to remove than say duct tape, and doesn't leave residue like masking tape.

Not sure how well this pic shows it, but gaffer tape has a tough fabric-like texture, really grippy and holds well, but then also releases easily. I stumbled across this stuff a while back and found all kinds of uses for it.

 

[annr]

Good tip and +1. What I'd suggest is very similar to this, it's a thick white tape called "gaffer's tape" that sticks really well but is much easier to remove than say duct tape, and doesn't leave residue like masking tape.

Not sure how well this pic shows it, but gaffer tape has a tough fabric-like texture, really grippy and holds well, but then also releases easily. I stumbled across this stuff a while back and found all kinds of uses for it.

Thanks for the tip. I really like tape solutions! I’m thinking that this may be too thick for this application.

Also, the other option is to build up the interior of the hole with some kind of material along the lines of nail lacquer or ski wax. The obvious problem is that the abrasive rods may rebore the hole.

 

[stitchawl]

I wonder....
When in normal. daily use, how many of us can actually feel the cutting difference of 1° or 2°.
Not talking about in 'testing,' but in normal daily use. I know that I can't.


Stitchawl

 

[maximus83]

Thanks for the tip. I really like tape solutions! I’m thinking that this may be too thick for this application.

Also, the other option is to build up the interior of the hole with some kind of material along the lines of nail lacquer or ski wax. The obvious problem is that the abrasive rods may rebore the hole.

That could be true Annr, I've used SM for years and even with heavy usage, there's only a small amount of play when I insert my rods in the holes, so I've never had to do anything like OP proposes with my own SM. This gaffer tape is fairly thick, so unless there's a fair amount of play in the rod holes, it could be too thick. Might be better to first try a thinner type of tape.