Thread: TWM "Millers Falls" Sharpening Centre - How to tune up?

I had a quick go at tuning this up using a dressing stone, and the wobble has been eliminated. I sharpened 3 chisels for my lathe this evening, and they have come up beautifully. I'll clean up the mess (there's sludge all over the place) and post a picture or two of my new little set up.

Anyone else here try one of these grinders?

Craig

Sharpening Station 01.jpg

Sharpening Station 02.jpg

I have been very impressed with this unit so far. Crazy question though. Anyone know where to get hold of the 8" grinding wheels to replace to low quality standard wheel that comes with the unit?

Thanks,

Craig

Mate nice find!
I can't say I have read about anyone knocking the horizontal grinders... Why don't they like them?

I don't have any info on them but try amazon if you run out of luck in OZ.

Maybe google if the makita whetstones fit. They come in a few different grades.

Norton has an online catalogue and you can order there stones through your local rep.

How slow does it turn?
You could also knock up a few of your own plates and use abrasive paper. LOTS of choices with paper! I put up a post a while back with a youtube clip explaining this system along with the use of feathering adheasive.

Ben,

Not sure why people had such a hard time with these units.

http://www.finehomebuilding.com/tool-guide/product-finder/delta-sharpening-center-23-710.aspx

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?148196-Need-opinions-on-Delta-Sharpening-Center

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/showthread.php?194822-Can-the-Delta-23-710-B-fixed

My initial expectations weren't massively high after reading the reviews, especially since this is a Chinese copy of the Delta. And the label on the front of the machine has a spelling error on it

It's a "multi-funcation" centre, which didn't bode too well. The reviews are correct about stone wear on the top wheel. In just doing three lathe chisels, there has been some wear, so I'll be looking for a new stone at some time for the machine.

5" diameter dry wheel; 8" diameter wet wheel Speed 400 rpm with a 1/5 hp motor

The Makita unit comes with a 7-7/8" aluminum-oxide wheel (which are available from here: http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/makita9820-2sharpener-1.aspx), so it will probably fit. Better quality wheels than the original

However, the Delta original and the TWM "Millers Falls" units use a different securing mechanism, the spindle shaft has a flattened side, while the Makita uses a secondary lug.

I also came across this site, which has some jigs for the Makita, which may also be handy: http://www.davidreedsmith.com/articl...sharpening.htm.

Craig

I suspect I know why these aren't that popular and with so few makers of this kind of grinder.

They are messy. Sooooo messy

After playing around with this thing for the last few hours, experimenting with setups and whatnot, I am going to be cleaning sludge that has been flung across my shed for a week. Even though I put the guards on, as per the manufacturer's recommendations.

Apart from that, it's a pretty darned nifty little machine

Craig

That's a good point! I always thought it was people preferred hollow ground and that why the traditional style sharpeners were more often seen. I think you convinced me otherwise! The mud flinging could get old pretty fast.

I will knock one up some day! I think the horizontal style grinders/sharpeners would be a great addition..... I'm going to keep the mess issue in mind when I build one!

Ben,

I suspect that we have stumbled across one of the great secrets of woodworking sharpening machines.

Perhaps it is a sharpening machine conspiracy, perhaps even the "Tucker" of sharpening machines, if you will.

The one fly in the ointment of my support for this particular conspiracy theory is simply that I can't picture Sam Maloof,
Norm Abrams or Chris Schwarz endorsing a sharpening machine that flings crap across the room worse than a
diarrhetic chimp at an over-ripe banana eating competition.

Or is that just me being fussy?

Craig

Hahaha! I like it!

They have another issue as well. The no matter how you place the edge on the stone, it will be passing it at a different speed. I suspect it's not that big a deal as they have been successfully used for a long while and it's up to technique.
I think the standard is to keep the edge pointing towards the centre of the stone.
Mind you, clipper blades are sharpened with the teeth following the radius. So the inner teeth are passing the stone much slower than the outer teeth.... I know they are supposed to be hollow ground on a cupped plate (which I don't think is needed) but it's worked for a long while.

Either way, it's another useful sharpening system to have in the workshop.

On that note, that's why I hog out any problems on a belt grinder and then start out using a 220grit diamond stone. Most belt grinder systems have issues as well. If you are using a flat platen, the belts are never truly flat as they quickly cup in the middle.

All in all, the horizontal grinder looks better and better IMHO... Even with the mud flinging!

I am planning on a simple partial solution to the mud slinging, which is to put up a bit of laminate covered mdf as a shield to the sides and rear of the machine.

And to wear a shirt that won't stain too much when I stand in front of the machine

Craig

hang an old workshop apron next to it!

I have hung my welding helmet on an old pair of boots to remind me to swap them before I melt holes in everything! My old work boots look like they have seen a mini meteor shower all around the rubber soles!

Originally Posted by Morbius

I suspect I know why these aren't that popular and with so few makers of this kind of grinder.

They are messy. Sooooo messy

After playing around with this thing for the last few hours, experimenting with setups and whatnot, I am going to be cleaning sludge that has been flung across my shed for a week. Even though I put the guards on, as per the manufacturer's recommendations.

Apart from that, it's a pretty darned nifty little machine

Craig

Hi Craig, ..... yup, I'm sure it's the mess they make!
I now have a couple of workshop aprons with a waist high horizontal racing stripe!

grinder04web.jpg

grinder03web.jpg

My grinder station is a bit 'cluttered' but this allows me to prop up a few pieces of corrugated cardboard at the back and sides but the splash guard at the front .....is ME!
I have also found it very good especially at putting a flat honed bevel on larger chisels AND it is brilliant at sharpening knives. My only advice is enjoy it ..... but duck!
fletty

I've been using it to do my spokeshaves and I am loving the results! Over the coming week, I've got some chisels I want to try it out on.

Does anyone here know of any suitable jigs to use with this machine?
I've raised it so that I can fit a GPW jig for sharpening my gouges on the small (5") wheel, but anyone here able to suggest suitable jigs for the main wet wheel?

Thanks,

Craig

I found this interesting jig, which would rely upon the construction of a small, stable platform of some sort:

http://www.penturnersparadise.ca/for...ead.php?t=6624

I also note that on YouTube, AskWoodMan has a decent set up for his Makita, which could be duplicated with these machines:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lx38RipcEzw

I like these two ideas below:

Tsharp2.jpg
I could duplicate this using a drawer handle from Bunnings, fairly cheaply, which would be chromed to help prevent rust.

sharp-1.jpg

I also saw this on Stu's Shed which seems like a great idea

Craig

Well,
I finally picked up the last few parts I need to really set this up, including a digital angle gauge and hope to have it complete by the end of the long weekend.

I want to be able to consistently grind blades at the same angle on it, with minimal setup time. The combo of the bar (aka drawer handle) and a simple jig with the angle gauge will achieve this for me. Or that is my theory 😁