Sharpening Made
Easy
Knife and
Cutlery Sharpening Information and Equipment
Product # : S5
Name : Viel S5 Sander-Grinder
Description : Sander-Grinder No: S5
This machine will sharpen almost anything better and faster. Chisels,
drill bits, knives, saws, planes, cutters will have sharp edges,
free of burrs. Heavy Duty construction of steel and aluminium (no
plastic). Take 1/4 H.P., 1/2" shaft motor (not included).
- 4" x 6-1/2" table
- Takes standard 1" x 42" abrasive belts
- Automatic belt tension
- Two year guarantee
Price : 86.95$ without motor
There are several good uses for a belt sander even
if you do
not it to sharpen knives:
This
description is for a Viel Tools S5 sander/grinder but can be adapted to
any
belt sander.
1. Reduce the bolster of a chefs knife that has been sharpened in a
pull
through sharpener and developed a swale or low spot.
Lay the sander down so the belt is horizontal and moving away from you.
Hold
the blade across the belt just as if you were sharpening, but only
grind the
bolster. You can improve the appearance
by rocking the blade from about 20 to about 50 degrees, or by using the
short
slack belt section between the platen and the idler wheel. Grind until
the bolster is no longer higher
than the edge.
2. Reshape a chopping knife with a swale or low spot so it racks
against the
cutting board. (Santoku, unbolstered
chefs knife or bolstered chefs knife after the above operation)
Lay sander horizontal as above. Hold the
blade parallel to the belt, spine up, edge down. Rock
the cutting edge on a belt until the
swale is gone. This requires a platen as
long as the blade. Of course you dull the edge in the process, but you
CANNOT
create negative curvature against a flat platen. If you hold the blade
about 45
deg. to either side for the last two passes you start the resharpening
process.
3. Grind a strong convex edge on a chopping tool. (Axe
or camp knife)
Lay sander horizontal as above, edge across the belt. Sharpen the edge
on the
short slack section between the platen and the idler wheel. Angle will
control
how far up the side of the blade you sharpen. Position closer to the
platen for
stronger edges (axes) and a little
further back for a sharper edge (knives)
4. Garden tools that do not open 90 degrees (anvil pruners and grass
shears).
Set the sander up so the belt is vertical. Work on the long slack
section opposite the platen. Bring the belt between the blades (or
blade
and anvil) at the sharpening angle. Try
every time with the sander off to see how it fits and if you can move
it the full
length of the blade.< Careful, the belt
is moving UP.
This is a relatively safe operation if the blade and the anvil form a V
with a
flat bottom (pruner) and relatively dangerous if the blades form a V
with a
sharp bottom (grass shears). The sharp V
will pinch the belt, shred it ($5 gone) and possibly throw the tool. If
anyone asks, I do not recommend this.< Do as I say and not as I do.
Be careful and WEAR YOUR SAFETY GLASSES!
Updated August 28, 2009
Copyright 2009
e-mail steve at bottorff dot com