Having been disappointed in my first attempt to upgrade from my little CM 1x30 from Harbor Freight, I was leery. The Chipping Away "Ultimate Sharpener" will need some modifications to be useful. Like reverse the motor direction and finding a better spring for the belt tensioner. But the new, less expensive Delta SA180 1" x 42" belt sander is smooth and efficient. Here it is stripped down for knife grinding. The platen in this photo is swung out of the way for convex grinding. But it works well, allowing me to sand the flat of the blade on this camp machete.



I am pleased with this machine. It is useful for large jobs. For normal sharpening, the little one from Harbor Freight is hard to beat, though.

I like the looks of that one Vic.

Nice machete HD, I would love to be able to do that. I once spent about 6 hours shapening a collins & co machete with a lansky. I thought it turned out pretty good, but now that I see yours... I have alot of learning to do.

Hi Vic, I don't know if you saw my last post in the Re: Chipping Away Ultimate Sharpener? thread, but I wondered if you had contacted Chipping Away about a warranty resolution for the issues you encountered?

definitely have to upgrade now. only question is how high i should go.

I have decided to try and modify it to suit my needs. I like the lower belt speed it has. I need to increase the belt tension and reverse the motor direction.

That sander and machete both look great Vic! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

looking good HD

I found this thread where a couple folks posted about adjusting the belt tension:
Re: Ultimate Power Sharpener from Chipping Away on the Woodcarving Illustrated Message Board

be careful with reversing motor direction, needs to be a special motor that can do that, not all can! (you knew that <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> )

Thanks, Jim. I figured that much out, but that slows things a bit. I need a longer spring with a couple more coils in it.

BTW, after finishing the machete (I have done three of these), I took it out back and put it against my FBM in a little chopping contest. I posted it over on BF W&SS forum. All I'll say on this forum is that the convexed machete cuts even better than it looks. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=587378

Looks very sharp too me.

One of the guys (Sam) posted that he put a small wood spacer block under his spring, which might accomplish what you need without searching for a new part.

Rube Golberg genius! I thought about doing just that, but haven't tried it out yet. For really precision work, my old Harbor freight still rules.

My gosh Vic!! That is beautiful I am very impressed with that Delta! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

Looks like the "Third World Grind Shop" has taken a MAJOR step into the future.

We need to upgrade your grind shops name to be sure!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Any suggestions? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />


Well done Vic,great purchase... it will provide a lifetime of service and joy to boot!

Enjoy that big boys toy! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />


Peace.

Thanks, Pop. I will have to go into my cheap chopper and machete collection next. When I feel confident enough, I am going to do a full convex grind on my FFBM. I'll never be as good as Ban, but it is good to have his work to inspire me.

Looks great!
I can't wait until mine arrives.
I've been hmming and hawing over which belts to buy for the past week.

Why did you strip off the disc grinder?
Are you planning to install the step-pulley transmission?

No, I plan to install the disk sander tomorrow. I just wanted to see if the belt sander worked any different without it on. I noticed no difference.

HD you kill me.
I almost bought a used 1 x 30 belt sander last weekend at a garage sale.
I keep seeing the work you do and I'll have to buy one

He inspired me to buy one but it will be quite a while before I am brave enough to post pics though. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Well Vic, given your review on the chipping away sander, I went and ordered the delta, as well as some belts from lee valley (we'll see how that goes) - still haven't picked up compound for the leather tho.

The chipping away motor should be reversible - I had sent them an email a while back asking about that, and they said they actually reversed them at their shop prior to shipping.

One other thing, it looks like on the Delta, you could reduce the speed of the belt by changing out that pulley on the side that drives the sanding belt. Maybe go twice the diameter to halve the rpms - something to tinker with.

Actually, you would go to a smaller drive pulley to reduce belt speed. RPM would would remain the same.

I am the proud new daddy of a Delta 1x42" modified with the three-step pulleys. I'm hitting the pawn shops trying to score some cheap beaters to practice on. Three speeds is the way to go!


[img]http://www.pbase.com/straycat/image/104013512[/img]

[img]http://www.pbase.com/straycat/image/104013585[/img]

[img]http://www.pbase.com/straycat/image/104013588[/img]

Great. I'd love to see that. All I see is red Xs. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Vic, I sent you a pm. I'm stumped! Three pics were on here a moment ago and now they ain't!

yes, i see nothing.

okay, just copied the link direct to my browser and i see what's goin on. that drive belt looks pretty slack. there a tensioner i'm not seeing?

Yeah, I should have mentioned that the set-up wasn't complete when I took the fotos. It's a simple matter of scooting the motor a hair and tightening down. The thing is awfully quiet while operating. The speeds are about 800 linear feet per second, ~1600 lfps, and ~3200 lfps. The stock pulley is at the latter speed.

Smooth operation!

Here ya go.

I guess I used the wrong term - I was referring to the pulley more towards the front of the sander (where the step pulleys are in rackemup's pic).

Speaking of which - rackemup where did you find the step pulley?

I want to know that as well.
There's a PDF of someone modifying the SA180 sander with a step pully transmission, but he spent like $70 to purchase them AND have them machined.
If there was a $15 or $20 set of pulleys that didn't require machining I'd opt for them.
At $70 it's time to start looking at real VFDs for infinite speed control.

Oh now that is so cool. If anyone finds the step pulleys, let us know. That would be all the knife grinder I'd ever need.

This is where I first saw them.
He includes part numbers and ordering information.
http://www.knifeforums.com/uploads/1205593757-Delta_SA180_Final.pdf

It's bothersome that they had to be machined to fit.
Looks to me like the wrong pulleys were selected.
Five thou' of slop is okay ... just threadlock the set screws.
There really ought to be a cheap answer.

I've been out playing with the Delta this morning. It isn't perfect, but here is my Camp Tramp LE. I can see the hamon line, but it doesn't show in the photos.

Why do you go full convex on ... EVERYTHING?

Because that's all I know how to do.

Vic - that C/T doesn't look like the same one I sent you - it's AWESOME ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

It always did chop well. It will do even better now. Maybe Dan is going to release a similar model soon. For its size and weight, it is a great chopper.

We can but wish! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> That S-7 prototype didn't look like it could chop like the C/T, I guess only time will tell - maybe! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />

I just managed to clean up the full flat grind and bowie clip point on my old Ontario SP-5 beater (vintage 1995). I am getting better at using the platen, but I still do smoother grinds without it. The edge leading grinding method on the convex edge (even with flat grinds I prefer a convex edge) is working out well on the new Delta. I stripped and sharpened the flat ground Ontario BQM combat kukri, too. The flat part of the belly on the SP5 has always been there. Ontario sometimes did some sloppy grinds.

Awesome work Vic.

Hands down, it is the king of edges.


Good looking CT vic, I'd really like to get one some day. I bet the hamon from the differentially hardened HT looks pretty cool.

The latest, definitive word on the SA180 mod is right here...

http://www.knifeforums.com/forums/showtopic.php?tid/821501/post/1516203/hl/

You can get the three-step (or even the four-step) pulleys and modify them yourself, but I decided to pay the big money and ordered the kit from Bearing Service & Supply and with the write-up above you can't go wrong.

I can't believe that there's not a set of pulleys that slide on, torque down, and go.
Having them machined seems silly.

I think I'll start looking for a real 120V single phase drive and see what's out there.

When I tried to open the pdf, it reports file is damaged or corrupted <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, it wouldn't hurt if a number of production knife manufacturers knew as much as "Covex Vic!"

I've missed a lot of this thread. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> The Delta sander is a good one, and their bandsaw's pretty handy too. Here's my Delta area in the shop. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

OK - for those that have the SA 180 - how much does the belt move back and forth across the idler wheels? Mine moves about 3/32" (total) back and forth across the wheels - is this acceptable, or did I get a bum machine?

Once I have mine adjusted at the top wheel, it stays centered there, but is off about the same as yours at the two bottom pulleys. The belts don't wobble though.

Holy cow, RW! Nice little corner there...Glass block and all <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> .

WoW, those grinder pics sure make me want to get one.
I just wish I had the place to put one!

Mr. HD, I sure like those edges you put on the machete and the CT.
Very nice!!

Cheers

Here's my real work horse, when it come to grinding and sanding! My Grizzly! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />




It's kinda dusty right now... about time for another cleaning... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Is a 2 hp motor too much for a 1x30? Will the RPM be too great?

very nice setup

Did you reverse the motor on the HF 1x30? Was it easy? I would like to do this on mine as I think it would make it easier to sharpen when you can see the edge. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Ireash, I agree.

Wow, up from the grave... uh... it arose...

The guy who modified his Delta SA180 who published the pdf on how he did it used two 1/2" bore step pulleys bored out to fit the shafts on his machine.

I have a Delta 31-340 which looks identical to the SA180. My motor has a 5/8 inch shaft, compared to the SA180 in the .pdf which the guy says is 16 mm. So I had no problem getting a 5/8 inch bore step pulley to fit that.

My driven shaft is 15 mm, just like the SA180 though. I suggest that a 3/4" bore step pulley could be used if a 15mm I.D. 19 mm O.D. bronze sleeve bearing is fitted to the shaft as an adapter first. 19 mm is .748". One wrap of .001" shim would take up all remaining space. What I actually did rather than wait for a 15 mm I.D. 19 mm O.D. bearing to arrive was to take the 1/2" I.D. 3/4" O.D. bronze sleeve bearing I had and modify it. I hacksawed a slit lengthwise then pressed it onto the 15 mm shaft which expanded its O.D. to around .78". Then I rotated the shaft while holding a file against the bronze until it was reduced to .75" Then a .75" bore step pulley fitted perfectly.

I got my set of 4 speed step pulleys from a dead lathe on craigslist. One was 5/8 inch bore and the other was 3/4".

JRC, Howdy and Welcome to the Scrap Yard! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

VERY NICE! thx HD. I have the little HF also, cant beat it for the price but been drooling thru the Grizzly catalog lately

Talk about ancient history. I have been using a Kalamazoo for years. I burned up the Delta. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

DOH! guess i can check the Delta off my wish list

The Delta is usually a reliable sander. Mine got a bad bearing and it heated up and caught fire, melting the wheel. I still have it, and it is reparable. I just wanted a purpose built knife grinding sander, so I got the Kalamazoo. The Delta is a good machine. Mike Stewart of Bark River knives uses them.

Been eyeing the Grizzly H8192 1" x 42" belt with 8 inch disc for 200 bucks.
Any thoughts or experience with Grizzly?

I hear the Grizzly is a good machine. The disk sander is useful, too. Sounds like a fair deal to me.

Thx Vic. Much appreciated. Think i will pull the trigger, pics to come.
Regards, Mike

Oh, this is sweet! Nice setup.