Why do some guys file the edges of their contact wheels?

[LARRYZ10]

Why do some knifemakers file or sand the edges of their contact wheels Do a lot of knifemakers do this? What does it accomplish and how do you do it properly if you should do it at all?: Larry

 

[Drew Riley]

Some makers put a small radius on the corners of their wheels to give a little more radius to their plunge line. I'm not sure of the best way of doing this, I only know that I've accidentally done it to mine and need to true it up. hahah

 

[Frank Niro]

It sure isn't my thing to do. I just feed the belt a little over the edge of the wheel or platten. Frank

 

[LARRYZ10]

How far do you run the belt over the edge? 1/16th or maybe a little more? Larry

 

[melsdad]

How far do you run the belt over the edge? 1/16th or maybe a little more? Larry

How far off the edge would depend on the stiffness of the belt.

 

[mgysgthath]

You can also "break in" a stiff belt a little with some scrap steel, run it over the edge and work it a bit to soften it for the radius. Or use a flexible belt like a J-Flex for that.