WSKO Blade Grinder Attachment belt issue

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Ratman79

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Jan 5, 2016
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Hi everyone. I just got the WSKO and Blade grinder attachment so I don't really know too much yet. Yes I watched youtube vids and read the instructions. I also searched these forums and even reached out to a member here all to no avail. So I apologize if this has been covered previously.

I have noticed when the BGA is running on low speeds that the belt moves slightly from left-right-left-right even after I play with the tracking on the BG and also on the main unit. When I increase the speed, it wobbles less and less until I have the motor near full power and then it disappears. The wobble is most noticeable between the two pulleys where you're supposed to position the knife for sharpening. I have not tried sharpening anything yet so I am unsure whether it would cause an issue.

Is this normal? Does it happen to any of you and if so is it an issue that can be fixed? Or maybe I got a bad unit...I am at a loss and have no experience with belt grinders to even know if this is how moving belts behave. The wobble is slight and the belt stays on the pulleys but I just don't know what to do. Please offer any tips or advice. It would be greatly appreciated.

--Tony
 
I'm assuming you're seeing this on more than one belt? I've had a couple of aftermarket belts I tried do this, but none of the WorkSharp belts did. Those belts that did were pretty cheap (in fact one broke at the joint shortly after, so pretty safe guess that was the belts).

Assuming this, I'd say, no it's not normal. My guess would be one of the wheels isn't aligned properly. My only suggestion for a fix would be to insure everything is tightened down. You might also consider loosening and/or removing each wheel from the frame, making sure that they're properly seating against the frame (no metal burr sticking out or something), then reattach it. Also make sure the piece that slides the tension wheel back and forth slides smooth and is tightened down.

If none of that works, and no one has any other ideas, I'd contact WorkSharp... see if they have a fix, or get it replaced. The belts should run smooth in my experience.
 
okay, thanks for the answer. I'm going to tighten everything and try again.

It is with three of the belts that this happens. (the p120, x65 and x22 that come with it). It's like they don't stay still you know? Some more some less. It's discouraging though.
 
Maybe check the tensioner to see if it's loosely attached? On the back of the grinder, there's a red lever that holds it in place. This is just a guess since the tensioner has the tracking knob that controls the side to side bias.
 
Okay, so here's the deal. Cbwx and Rey--thank you; I was so frustrated that I almost threw everything out the window. Instead, I took both of your advice and it made all the difference.

First, I tightened everything down. I checked tension and made some fine tuning adjustments. Rey, I made sure the tensioner assembly was tight. Then I tried again on lowest speed with each belt.

I found that all the belts--x65, x22, x4 and the 12k--were running absolutely fine. No issues with wobble. The p120 STILL gives trouble though. Now, I know it cannot logically be the unit otherwise they would all act up. So thats a good thing. Also, when I increase power then the wobbling stops. Is it possible that the p120 is meant to be used on higher speeds only? I have the unit running with the two pulleys at their furthest distance from each other. Would using the setting where they are closer together make any difference? Did I just get a bad belt from WorkSharp?? And is it okay to still use the p120?

Anyone with any suggestions, ideas or brainstorms feel free please to add your thoughts.
 
Mine did this. My fix was to adjust the angle to 10 degrees (highest tension ) and adjust my angle rather than just keeping the knife flat.

I wouldn't really recommend it if you've never sharpened on a sander or haven't used one that much.
 
Spartan,

that's good to know. I was beginning to think the machine had it out for me personally ;-)

good idea too--I hadn't thought of that using the low angle setting and holding the knife at an angle. I am new to belt systems so I don't even really know how they are supposed to act when powered up. I do have freehand experience though with DMTs and Atomas and assorted waterstones. I can acheive a nice fully apexed and burr free edge that is nice to look at. I'm not an expert but very proficient I guess you could say. That being said, I am pretty sure that holding a specific angle wouldn't be too difficult. Of course the DMT isn't moving but I will try that. Thanks bro.
 
The 120 is the lower grit and usually, the lower grits is supposed to be run on slower speeds. I say this because the directions for the higher grits (hones and strops) say to run at medium and high speeds.

If it doesn't jump off, then maybe it's good. Maybe you think the wobble goes away at high speeds because the side to side is a lot faster? If the side to side wobble isn't introducing an up and down wobble against your knife, then maybe it's still good.
 
Yea I wouldn't run the p120 on the highest speed unless you wanna remove a ton of material...cause that's what it's gonna do like that lol... Course belts I run slow to medium for minor reprofiles, the progressively increase speed as I go up in grit until I'm using the linen belts on full speed basically....

That being said I haven't noticed any belt wobble in mine until they get heavily worn but even then it's minor...id say fine tune it until the 120 no longer wobbles and try the rest...
 
Rey, that is a very good point. Perhaps it just seems like it isn't wobbling b/c it is moving pretty fast and my eye doesn't detect it. It definitely stays on the machine when running and from what I can tell on practice runs (you know the grocery store "chef knife" and a neglected Cold Steel recon scout so far) there is no up and down movement. It's weird too b/c now after I followed everyone's tips, it's only the p120 acting up. Even so, I was able to raise a burr on both sides of the cold steel and the bevel heights looked even. Maybe that belt is just defective?

Bobby, thanks for that. You are quite right because when I ran it on near full power, it really went to town as far as removal! The wobble is not pronounced and the belt never goes off track but it makes me uncomfortable anyway. The fact that after fine tuning the issue was relegated to a single belt tells me that the belt (just the p120) is the problem and not the machine (I think). I'll fiddle some more but if nothing changes, I'll order a new one and see.

I am going to follow your suggestion about increasing speed as grit increases. These are the practical, real life hints and tips that you can't get from the instructions and will save me time and grief down the line, so I am appreciative of that. Thanks again guys!

If anyone has anything else to add or think I should know about the belts and such please chime in!
 
Just an update:

I brought this belt issue to the attention of Darex and they were kind enough to offer me a replacement p120 at no charge. They too think it is probably that particular belt. The lady explained that sometimes the seam where the belt is held together can be loose or compromised and that this can cause it to wobble.

Just wanted to let everyone who helped me out in this thread and anyone who read it know what was going on.

As soon as it arrives I will test it out and report what happened here in this thread.

Thanks everyone
 
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