Thread: Robert Sorby's ProEdge

This morning I was at the ProEdge giving a lick to a few bench chisels. Some observations ...

1. A new Trizact belt had a bigger bulge at the join than other grits I've used, so there may be variation in manufacture.
2. I think a powder lube works better for guide slide than spray dry lube, eg. talc, graphite. Needs regular application.
3. The woodworker's square guide has got less play in it than other guides so there's less likelihood of radiusing the edge. ProEdge Woodworkers' Square Guide
4. Just a thought but if you reckon the belt is bunching up maybe you're using too much pressure?
5. You can vary the height of the platen both at the top and the bottom, just by a smidge. May be worth playing around with.

As an aside I've used the system for freehand knife sharpening, with good results off the c. 3000 belt on Western knives. I took a spare platen and turned the mount holes into slots to get it to stand higher and clearer of the main mounting arm. Also chamfered its leading edge.

Forgot this tip re optimum belt tracking: try flipping the top roller axle 180, the one you adjust for belt alignment.

And the mild steel components rust quickly and need regular treatment with goop.

Hi all
Curious to get anyone's updated feedback on this system for sharpening wood turning tools? Seems some mixed opinions within the threads?
i was planning to buy one this week.
cheers and thanks! pete

Overall I'd say a bench grinder is a better option.

1. Much cheaper.
2. With HSS bluing isn't an issue.
3. There's a wide range of platforms, guides and jigs available.
4. A slight hollow grind is a plus if you just want to give your edge a lick with a hone to keep it going a bit longer.
5. Belt joins are a bit of a pain to work around.

However, in favour of the Sorby is this:
1. Abrasive to c #3000 - helps get a refined edge (providing both intersecting faces are done of course).
2. No wheel dressing needed.
3. You can have grits down to #60 for quick stock removal, in ceramic abrasive which goes gangbusters.
4. You can lap the face of plane blades etc.
5. You can freehand the kitchen knives

HTH.

Added: some folk like a dead flat bevel. I did a quick test of flat vs slightly hollow using a skew on long curves and felt that flat was easier to use.

Thx Ern. I must say this one has me a little twisted up. not sure which way i'll go. guess i will find out when i buy something on Thursday!

I'd suggest for the sake of your wallet that you try to find someone around who can show it to you and let you have a play.

For me the consistent irritation was the bumping produced at the belt join, meaning that a light touch was needed and some patience, as just that bit of abrasive was doing the work. It was easy if at all heavy handed to dub over the very edge.

There were some 'fiddles' to reduce this spoken about when I used one for this purpose. Some belts are worse than others, the tensioning shaft can be turned through 180, and so on. Anyway, I didn't spend long enough at it to get a resolution. And all that's odd as it sposed to be modelled on Sorby's big factory machine.

I should also say that the guides all necessarily have a bit of slop in them and care is needed to get a consistent result (particularly say with a skew).

For turners, sharpening needs to be quick and consistent as we do so much of it. The ProEdge falls somewhat short of the mark here. The knuckle-joint fingernail gouge jig doesn't have a spline and setting it the same as last time is a right pain - as it was for the Tormek jig (it's identical) which I gather now employs a spline. Maybe the recent Sorby versions do too.

Decent belts from Sorby are exxy - but the Sandpaperman plays in this space for better prices.

So all up, it can produce a honed edge, it's versatile covering high carbon flatware tools and knives, but the price is high and the value proposition is poor.

Peter, where do you live in Sydney? You are welcome to try my ProEdge first?

fletty

Originally Posted by rsser

And all that's odd as it sposed to be modelled on Sorby's big factory machine.

I'd guess that their industrial belts are joined a little better than the ones users typically buy.

cool, thanks all. decisions, decisions...
Thanks for the offer fletty. i'm due to go into a shop tomoz to check out some options. lets see if i get out of the shop with an empty wallet first!
i live in Panania.
cheers
p

Originally Posted by rsser

For turners, sharpening needs to be quick and consistent as we do so much of it. The ProEdge falls somewhat short of the mark here. The knuckle-joint fingernail gouge jig doesn't have a spline and setting it the same as last time is a right pain - as it was for the Tormek jig (it's identical) which I gather now employs a spline. Maybe the recent Sorby versions do too.

I was at a demonstration south of Melbourne earlier this year by a Sorby demonstrator out from England, he works for Sorby as I understand it. Whatever, he was representing Sorby in Australia in conjunction with the importing agent of Sorby products, which is the importing arm of Carbatec, called Maxis Maxis – Maxis Distribution

He did demonstrate the Pro-Edge system, which until then I had not seen, nor had I heard about it. During the turning demonstration, after having demonstrated their sharpening system, the sharpening jigs (maybe only the knuckle sharpening jig) was passed around, along with the razor sharp chisel, quite impressive sharpening. Which it should have been as essentially he was sharpening an already sharp chisel, which is fine as it was a demonstration.

I noted that the Sorby knuckle jig appeared to be identical to the Tormek 185 unit, which I owned. At this stage I had already replaced my 185 Tormek jig with the Tormek 186 jig, which to my mind was superior in some facets to the 185 jig. So I asked the question, “Were Sorby thinking of upgrading their Tormek 185 look alike jig to a similar type to the Tormek 186?”

The answer surprised me as the reply was that the Sorby 185 look alike jig, was in fact a 185 jig supplied from Tormek to Sorby. He then went on to say that the patent on this jig expires next year (2017) and Sorby had suggested to Tormek that they manufacture this jig once the patent expires and pay a licence fee for each one they manufacture.

Apparently Tormek rejected this proposition, which I was lead to believe was a surprise to Sorby. It would seem that Sorby will be manufacturing their own knuckle joint sharpening tool holder next year. Presumably, this could also be why Tormek upgraded their 185 to the 186 with major improvements and in reality a major change of design, and in effect, probably taking out another patent, or extending that particular version of their patent for another period of time.

Mick.

well thanks again folks. subject to discussions at the shop tomorrow I've decided that i'm going to try the pro-edge. i have some other sharpening needs that will leverage the system, so if i do live to regret the purchase at least (i hope) my other needs such as chisels, drill bits and kitchen knives will be sharp! i'll post a pic of the set up in due course!

Well here's the new Sorby Pro-edge in my car boot... sort of...
Yup, after further contemplation over night, thinking about some of the feedback given to me on this thread, talking to the guy in the shop (who was extremely helpful!) and watching him demo the tormek system, i was sold on that system as a better match to my needs.
so i changed my mind and bought a Tormek T4 and the tormek wood turners jig etc kit.
a little more cost, but i think i've made a better decision for my needs.
now i just need to sneak it into the man cave!

NEW TOY.jpg

Originally Posted by petemacsydney

now i just need to sneak it into the man cave!

NEW TOY.jpg

Fabulous prize you won in the pub raffle Pete!
There's a limit to how many prizes one guy can win over the year, just be a bit selective and leave some old raffle tickets laying around, and all will be good!

Have fun with your new toy.

Alan...

classic! never thought about a raffle win!
i put a Bowl Gouge through its paces this afternoon. came out very nicely sharpened and i'm very impressed with the job.
i think she will do just nicely for my needs.