Thread: Robert Sorby Pro-Edge Sharpening System

Originally Posted by NeilS

Now that greenies have gone (I think, not that I ever worked what those were all about) I've voted on this thread as being excellent, which I presume is the new way of doing greenies.

Still there, the symbol between "Blog this post" and " Report this post". To see your greenies click on the "Settings" tab on the top right of your screen.


Peter.

Thanks for the feedback Neil.

Originally Posted by Sturdee

Still there, the symbol between "Blog this post" and " Report this post". To see your greenies click on the "Settings" tab on the top right of your screen.


Peter.

And, so it is.

Thanks Sturdee.

This time ... er, what episode is this?

11cm Mundial started on the Trizact A30*. Again, trailing presentation needed.

Then to the two finer belts in the Sorby Trizact range. Leading poss. here.

Good result freehanded**. Cut paper again.

But got a couple of patches of blue at the coarser grit. Plenty of heat was being generated despite a light touch. This knife has a light blade.

...

I haven't kept track of belt wear rates. Impressions with HSS to summarise are that the AlOx wear fairly quickly; the Ceramics still keep ripping off metal despite feeling dull to the touch; not enough mileage to say with Zirc. and Trizact.

------------

* Wow, the numerals actually refer to approx. micron size (thanks for that table again Neil) - but I don't know how this is measured; not that it matters much. The stuff works.

** Due to the excellent service from Sorby and Jim Carroll there'll be a spare platen and I fancy sticking a hardwood convex form to it so a knife edge can easily come in from both sides. (As an aside, I have tried a Sheppach knife jig on the gouge long-grind adaptor but there wasn't enough clearance at the belt end for the angle I wanted).

Originally Posted by rsser

the numerals actually refer to approx. micron size ... but I don't know how this is measured.

.... with a micron-scope?

* Wow, the numerals actually refer to approx. micron size (thanks for that table again Neil) - but I don't know how this is measured; not that it matters much. The stuff works.

I think the size is determined by what passes through a mesh with the proper size openings,
starting with larger, then smaller and smaller mesh.

The result is a grit that will pass through a certain size mesh but not through the next smaller. An exact, all the same size grit is not possible with this system.

Maybe someone in the sandpaper biz will reply.

Originally Posted by NeilS

.... with a micron-scope?

Did that slip through or are we down to scraping the bottom of the barrel?

(Yep Paul, there's the mesh method and also a sedimentation method I gather.

There can be some variation in particle size; some emery stick was sold to me as something like #600 +/- 200!).

Decided it was time to polish the flutes of the two Thompson 5/8" gouges.

The V has been a mainstay and with the blacking off two milling tracks stuck out like dog's balls. I should say that I've never noticed this in use but this task is always a goodun for a quiet Sun. arvo and every margin matters to those who are on the obsessive side about sharpening

Well that took some time. Started with some course diamond rods then moved to dowel rod with 3M microfinishing abrasives at 60 and 40 microns. And have really only worked the end.

That done, the freehanded cutting edge also showed up like the proverbials as poor in shape. Drum roll ... time for Mr Sorby.

With new #120 and #240 Alox belts and the V-block, the hollow grind was taken out, the edge curve came up well, and the bevel was looking good. Easy enough.

With the Thompson U-gouge, the milling was far better and the work shorter. But taken to the ProEdge... woops. There's pre-sets for 60 and 80 degrees but not the 70 that this tool occasionally earns its keep with. No drama; ignore the pre-set pin and just clamp the platform. It's a step away from easy repeatability but it's enough for this tool. And there's space in the pivot plate to drill my own hole - which I'll do.

...

With all the applications possible with this tool there's an insatiable appetite for belts. Jim's been doing a good job of keeping this junkie satisfied but some belts are again on back-order. And I'd like to see something btwn Alox 240 and Trizact 600 (or whatever it is, equiv. in P ratings).

There's a forum buy of Berg bench chisels, which I love, waiting for the full rehab job. Ripe for batch processing.

Meantime, with all the investment in belts, they come in out of the shed on hot days. No way is a gamble going to be made on the joining tape quality in our atrocious summer!

..

The next big challenge is to master shaping/sharpening on bench chisels and plane blades. Regrinding a bevel on a Veritas blade, 56mm wide x 5mm thick, will make for a possibly noisy Sun. arvo.

Have had a play with this and it's a quantum improvement on the basic version. Click

It's bigger and more stable.

It took about 10 mins to grind the nick out of the corner of a 3/4" BE chisel, from #60 ceramic (worn) to fresh #120 ceramic and #240 Alox.

Took a bit of care cos with the BEs only about half the width of the top was available as the 'land'.

A limitation is immediately apparent. Given the projection at 25º I was close to runnning out of flat top (about 10 cm) and into the socket which would've produced an angle change. It wouldn't have been possible to use the guide to produce a 20º grind.

Prob. the way around this would be to use the short-tool platform and go freehand or knock up a 'depth clamp'.

I finally got one from Carroll's.
Not being a pro but very rank amateur I need all the help I can get to sharpen my tools.
My first go at the Pro system was better than I expected.
My tools have never cut better nor felt so comfortable to use.
My only complaint is the resupply of belts and getting the extra attachments.
It seems that the Pro is very popular as Jim can not keep his supplies up, so there can be a bit of a wait for them.
Still once it all settles down supplies should be more readily available.
Over all I am more than pleased with the Pro and very happy to use it.
Just my two bob's worth.
Cookie

Originally Posted by cookie48

I finally got one from Carroll's.
Not being a pro but very rank amateur I need all the help I can get to sharpen my tools.
My first go at the Pro system was better than I expected.
My tools have never cut better nor felt so comfortable to use.
My only complaint is the resupply of belts and getting the extra attachments.
It seems that the Pro is very popular as Jim can not keep his supplies up, so there can be a bit of a wait for them.
Still once it all settles down supplies should be more readily available.
Over all I am more than pleased with the Pro and very happy to use it.
Just my two bob's worth.
Cookie

hi guys,
i have to agree with what cookie has said,i got mine for xmas,and have
found it to be very good in sharpening my tools ,and to get a consistant
edge all the time ever time very happy,...............thanks jim
cheers smiife

Following the prob. I had with the Berg BE I've made a mod to the new square-edge jig, and pulled together my experience with the ProEdge with bench chisels here

I got one a few years back. Great thing going for a quick sharpen.... I love it. You always get the same angle on the tool and it's sharp!!! Plus very little of your tool ends up on the floor as dust!!!

Earn,
This would make a great article for the magazines......

robo hippy