WSKO wet belt grinding

[CasePeanut]

i’ve been using the WSKO with the blade grinding attachment for a while. Good results as-is, but I always come across the discussions here about wet belt grinding on larger machines and the importance of lubrication to avoid heat buildup.

Has anyone set up a misting system or other way to wet grind on a Work sharp? Are the stock belts capable of running wet?

 

[cbwx34]

i’ve been using the WSKO with the blade grinding attachment for a while. Good results as-is, but I always come across the discussions here about wet belt grinding on larger machines and the importance of lubrication to avoid heat buildup.

Has anyone set up a misting system or other way to wet grind on a Work sharp? Are the stock belts capable of running wet?

I haven't seen anyone try this. I'm guessing the "official" response from WorkSharp would be "no"... but you might ask anyway... at least if the belts could be run wet.

Part of me says... "bad idea"... and if you've reached the point of needing cooling... might be time to look for a better alternative? But the other part says... "be a pioneer"... give it a try. I'd (obvious) try and shield the machine, but at the same time, realize it cools by air flow, so you can't encase it. You could try something simpler... I've seen where someone (on a different belt sharpener) just soaked a sponge and set it up so the belt ran against it.

Post if you try anything!

 

[Bill3152]

I spritz my hf 1x30 belts with soapy water. And don't have anything bad to say about doing it. I only use coarse belts (220 grit sic).

 

[CasePeanut]

I haven't seen anyone try this. I'm guessing the "official" response from WorkSharp would be "no"... but you might ask anyway... at least if the belts could be run wet.

Part of me says... "bad idea"... and if you've reached the point of needing cooling... might be time to look for a better alternative? But the other part says... "be a pioneer"... give it a try. I'd (obvious) try and shield the machine, but at the same time, realize it cools by air flow, so you can't encase it. You could try something simpler... I've seen where someone (on a different belt sharpener) just soaked a sponge and set it up so the belt ran against it.

Post if you try anything!

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm not dramatically heating up blades or anything like that. Its more that I keep seeing references to the Roman Landes studies and others showing how powered sharpening or even dry hand sharpening can overheat the very edge of the knife and ruin some of the temper. The consensus seems to be that water or a lubricant will help with edge retention.

I have some of the cheaper red label adhesive belts, maybe I'll experiment with one of those first. I have a couple tipped kitchen knives to fix this weekend.

 

[Bill3152]

Do fast passes and dip the blade after each pass. Using power tools makes the job faster even if you do it slowly.

 

[Mo2]

i’ve been using the WSKO with the blade grinding attachment for a while. Good results as-is, but I always come across the discussions here about wet belt grinding on larger machines and the importance of lubrication to avoid heat buildup.

Has anyone set up a misting system or other way to wet grind on a Work sharp? Are the stock belts capable of running wet?

Read post 4
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/what-do-i-need-to-sharpen-d2.1570138/
He didn't explain in detail, but you may wasnt to ask @HeavyHanded

 

[CasePeanut]

Read post 4
https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/what-do-i-need-to-sharpen-d2.1570138/
He didn't explain in detail, but you may wasnt to ask @HeavyHanded

Thank Mo2 good to see and thanks for pointing me to that interesting thread. From what I’ve read, I think @HeavyHanded uses a more conventional belt grinder. It’s an interesting idea to add a little oil to a WSKO belt and see if it makes a difference.