From belt and disc sander to tool shapener
Belt tool sharpener and honer DIY I
From belt and disc sander to tool shapener
In this blog series, I will take you through my modification of a inexpensive belt sander (grinder) / disc sander.
I will make it into a sharpening station, mainly for knifes, axes, draw knifes, hook knifes and spoon knifes.
The reason for me building this one, is manly my interest in different curved blades, since these are hard and time consuming, to sharpen well with traditional methods or on my water grinder, so it was time for another option in the shop. Also I have started blacksmithing and here I needed a method of making finish and the last grinding on the curved blades I make, especially on my spoon knifes.
So no more talking, let's get to it.
This is what we will end up with, a little sharpening station, where tools can be re grinded, sharpened quickly or simply honed I a second, on the stropping wheel, to give the razor sharp edge we are looking for on knifes or carving tools.
Everything just where I need it, this is where the blog ends.
View on YouTube
This is the final stropping, with a leather belt and compound.
It works like a dream!
Just sharpened a bunch of knifes, two spoon knifes, four draw knifes and three axes in app 45 minutes, all of them are razor sharp and polished to mirror shine. (In my book that's really fast).
I went 600 - 1000 - 2000 - honing strop or wheel.
So I can highly recommend building a machine like this. ;-)
It all started with a belt sander / grinder / disc sander from Ebay, I paied only 80 GBP / 100 USD for it, including shipping for Denmark, that's more than fair in my book, considering it can be used in many ways.
It's a 300w motor, this should be plenty for light grinding and sanding and more than enough for honing.
It runs 2950rpm, this would be lovely to be able to adjust, mostly for heat and for the honing, but it works just fine for both.
Most important is to find a machine with a sturdy frame and that that seems fair in quality, after all it's all made in China and often at the same place. ;-)
First step was to get rid of all the stuff, that I will not need.
(Some of it is safety stuff and that's of course a calculated choice).
This picture was actually after I was all done.
Next step will make sense later, but I just glued together two pieces of MDF board.
They are app. 1 cm larger than the width of the disc on the side of the sander.
Plenty of glue!
I also drew a circle and divided it in four, so I could put in some screws, and have balance in the disc later.
The clamp it up to dry and drink a beer or two while waiting, prefarably with some good friends. ;-)
Then your vision will become a wee blured…
Since I did screw it up, I did not have to wait for the glue to dry, so it can be cut to roughly shape on the bandsaw right ahead.
Still a wee blured…
Now marking up on the disc.
Drilling four holes for screws.
Then adding double sided scotch.
Cut to shape and peal of backing.
I decided for larger bolts, just to be sure, so I drilled out the holes.
Bolts.
Mounted the wide disc.
With a rasp, then a file and finally sandpaper, the disc was trued up, so it will not wobble.
Also square up and make sure the top is flat.
Just for eye pleasure, the side was spray painted black.
Like this it looks more as if it was always like that.
Or at least it makes ME happy.
To use the sander as a sharpener, we first need to make it lay down instead of stand up.
This is due to the fact that you can't really hold the knife or tool really well in the upright position.
At the same time it is good for different grinding jobs, to have it vertical, so we need to be able to do both.
So two pieces of wood, will become a new stand, that can be used in both directions.
I just sized it up by eye.
Glue and screws will hold it together.
After that some angles for strength a hole for the band tightening screw and rounding the corners.
Also cut out for the wheel, just for my own pleasure - to please my eye again.
Holes and bolts for holding the machine to the base.
Self locking nuts and a washer on top.
The rubber feet will help to avoid vibration.
(The circle is to remind me of the wheel turning direction).
Fine space to reach the belt adjuster screw.
Bolt head just on the right was to secure the machine to the bases other side.
Like this, so it will be completely sturdy.
Added a pair of plywood strips, to make a belt holder.
And rare earth magnets to hold the hex keys needed for the machine.
Upright position.
Horisontal position - sharpening position.
And from the other side.
Notice I painted an arrow on the wheel also.
Finally with the cover and my vac mod on the side.
(Will show later).
Time to stop for today, next part will be about making the stopping wheel and more.
Hope it can be to some inspiration, perhaps even a belt sharpener and honer.
Best thoughts,
MaFe
Belt tool sharpener and honer DIY I
From belt and disc sander to tool shapener
In this blog series, I will take you through my modification of a inexpensive belt sander (grinder) / disc sander.
I will make it into a sharpening station, mainly for knifes, axes, draw knifes, hook knifes and spoon knifes.
The reason for me building this one, is manly my interest in different curved blades, since these are hard and time consuming, to sharpen well with traditional methods or on my water grinder, so it was time for another option in the shop. Also I have started blacksmithing and here I needed a method of making finish and the last grinding on the curved blades I make, especially on my spoon knifes.
So no more talking, let's get to it.
This is what we will end up with, a little sharpening station, where tools can be re grinded, sharpened quickly or simply honed I a second, on the stropping wheel, to give the razor sharp edge we are looking for on knifes or carving tools.
Everything just where I need it, this is where the blog ends.
View on YouTube
This is the final stropping, with a leather belt and compound.
It works like a dream!
Just sharpened a bunch of knifes, two spoon knifes, four draw knifes and three axes in app 45 minutes, all of them are razor sharp and polished to mirror shine. (In my book that's really fast).
I went 600 - 1000 - 2000 - honing strop or wheel.
So I can highly recommend building a machine like this. ;-)
It all started with a belt sander / grinder / disc sander from Ebay, I paied only 80 GBP / 100 USD for it, including shipping for Denmark, that's more than fair in my book, considering it can be used in many ways.
It's a 300w motor, this should be plenty for light grinding and sanding and more than enough for honing.
It runs 2950rpm, this would be lovely to be able to adjust, mostly for heat and for the honing, but it works just fine for both.
Most important is to find a machine with a sturdy frame and that that seems fair in quality, after all it's all made in China and often at the same place. ;-)
First step was to get rid of all the stuff, that I will not need.
(Some of it is safety stuff and that's of course a calculated choice).
This picture was actually after I was all done.
Next step will make sense later, but I just glued together two pieces of MDF board.
They are app. 1 cm larger than the width of the disc on the side of the sander.
Plenty of glue!
I also drew a circle and divided it in four, so I could put in some screws, and have balance in the disc later.
The clamp it up to dry and drink a beer or two while waiting, prefarably with some good friends. ;-)
Then your vision will become a wee blured…
Since I did screw it up, I did not have to wait for the glue to dry, so it can be cut to roughly shape on the bandsaw right ahead.
Still a wee blured…
Now marking up on the disc.
Drilling four holes for screws.
Then adding double sided scotch.
Cut to shape and peal of backing.
I decided for larger bolts, just to be sure, so I drilled out the holes.
Bolts.
Mounted the wide disc.
With a rasp, then a file and finally sandpaper, the disc was trued up, so it will not wobble.
Also square up and make sure the top is flat.
Just for eye pleasure, the side was spray painted black.
Like this it looks more as if it was always like that.
Or at least it makes ME happy.
To use the sander as a sharpener, we first need to make it lay down instead of stand up.
This is due to the fact that you can't really hold the knife or tool really well in the upright position.
At the same time it is good for different grinding jobs, to have it vertical, so we need to be able to do both.
So two pieces of wood, will become a new stand, that can be used in both directions.
I just sized it up by eye.
Glue and screws will hold it together.
After that some angles for strength a hole for the band tightening screw and rounding the corners.
Also cut out for the wheel, just for my own pleasure - to please my eye again.
Holes and bolts for holding the machine to the base.
Self locking nuts and a washer on top.
The rubber feet will help to avoid vibration.
(The circle is to remind me of the wheel turning direction).
Fine space to reach the belt adjuster screw.
Bolt head just on the right was to secure the machine to the bases other side.
Like this, so it will be completely sturdy.
Added a pair of plywood strips, to make a belt holder.
And rare earth magnets to hold the hex keys needed for the machine.
Upright position.
Horisontal position - sharpening position.
And from the other side.
Notice I painted an arrow on the wheel also.
Finally with the cover and my vac mod on the side.
(Will show later).
Time to stop for today, next part will be about making the stopping wheel and more.
Hope it can be to some inspiration, perhaps even a belt sharpener and honer.
Best thoughts,
MaFe