Electric Sharpeners for 25 to 30 degree edge?

[Antihero]

Does anyone know of a cheaper electric sharpener for 25 to 30 degree edge? Its for machete's and other chopping tools and most of the sharpeners i see just list knives with no angle listed and i dont want to chip/damage my blades.

I dont necessarily mind honing and filing if need be but it would be nice sometimes to have something a bit faster.

Thanks

 

[Zeke/PA]

Invest in an inexpensive Belt Sander as these devices are INVALUABLE for sharpening tools, Machetes,Axes,Cleavers,Tomahawks ,Sickels and Mower Blades.

 

[rcmodel]

+1 on a cheap belt sander!

A worn smooth 600 grit belt will put a shaving sharp edge on anything in nothing flat.

You control the angle.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-inch-x-30-inch-belt-sander-2485.html

1" x 42" belts are most common so look for that size sander.

rc

 

[Owen Sparks]

Do they actually make a belt for sharpening knives such as a fine emory cloth material?

 

[Valkman]

You can buy belts whatever grit you want. Harbor Freight sells the sander but I'd buy belts elsewhere, like at trugrit.com.

 

[Pacsd]

lot of good info about sharpening edges on this site: Kniveforums.com. Many reference on where to buy belts, "how to" videos, etc.

 

[Antihero]

Hmm i actually have a belt sander already, i guess i could just put the machete/kukri/etc in a vise and go for it, ive been told that the much higher speed of a belt sander is detrimental to the edge though, something about heat and such.

 

[Valkman]

Yes you can't let the edge get hot enough where it changes color. Better is to hold the blade and run it across the sander fairly rapidly. You shouldn't really need to cool the blade but dip it in water if you do.

 

[Owen Sparks]

Metal looses its temper and goes soft if it gets too hot.

BTW, is there such a thing as a factory made grinder that works like a stationairy bycicle? I have seen home made versions but never a purpose built model. Something like that would probably do well set up at a gun show as it would be unusual enough to draw attention.

 

[Sniper X]

I have been using a belt sander for sharpening knives and tools for years. It takes a few tries to get the correct angle and speed of the blade motion, but it does work very well. I suggest buying a couple cheap knives to learn with, like the 4~10 dollar ones from the net. Or if you have some dull kitchen knives or cheapo knives that is good to practice on as well. Remember, the sander belt against the blade builds up quite a static charge. So I try to wear thin rubber or latex gloves under my thin leather gloves I wear whilst sharpening with the sander

Another thing is, never let the blade get hot enough to change colour for sure, and even if you feel heat though a pair of thin leather gloves, this is close to too hot. You need to develop a consistent speed that does the job but doesn't overheat the blade.

I would not learn on tools like hatchets or axes or even a machete because they usually have a thicker blade that heats more slowly so you get to think you have more time and that isn't good for knives. I'd learn on knives and then move to axes and such.

 

[JTW Jr.]

I use a belt to sharpen knives when I make them , but for touch ups I use a set of cardboard wheels on a variable speed bench grinder. It will get them sharp quickly !

http://www.sharpeningwheels.com/

I would never use a bench grinder with the stones to sharpen any knife.

 

[rcmodel]

I would never use a bench grinder with the stones to sharpen any knife.

+ 1000 to that.

It is nearly impossible to keep from burning a blade on a bench grinder stone.

rc

 

[StrawHat]

Here is one of the set ups I use to sharpen knives and scissors.



I have since upgraded to sealed bearings and two different gritted wheels. Even after several cups of coffe and a big bowl of Wheaties, I can not get the wheels spinning fast enough to burn metal.

 

[Drail]

StrawHat, that is very cool! They just don't make'em like that anymore.

 

[Sniper X]

Strawhat, that is a nice set up there! Love the Singer Sewing machine base, can you tell us about the whole setup? Interested! BTW I use to be the Sharpfinger at a local saw and mower shop and got a whole new clientele when I sharpened a clients hunting knife. I ended up after a few months sharpening hundreds of knives a month. I have been wanting to open a small sharpening outfit this winter on the side.

 

[StrawHat]

I sharpen knives for a living and started with the same set of stones my Father gave to me on my fifth Birthday. After a while I had more customers than I could handle in the allotted time with the bench stones. my wife came up with the idea of wheels and the Singer. I mounted the pedestal on a board and set the holes where they needed to be. A new belt and a little learning curve and I was back in business. The first pedestals were open bearings and needed to be cleaned after three or four hours of use. Sometimes, I would have to tear down to clean in the middle of a sharpening event. The new pedestal was a gift from a customer/friend and so far I have gone the entire summer without needing to tear down. I have two wheels mounted, 100 and 200. The edge on the wheel continually abrades exposing fresh new cutting surface but the sides smoot out with use so I have, in effect, 4 different grits at my disposal to use. I also have a fixed strop mounted ont he table and use that for final honing.

Average speed of the turning wheels is +/- 600 rpm. A nice easy going pace. The Singer base provides a 12" drive wheel, the pedestal has a 1" pulley to accept the belt, so it makes for leisurly treadling. I use this set up for knives and scissors. Other things (shoveles, hedge clippers and such) get sharpened with a file. I enjoy what I do and try to make it enjoyable for the customers as well.