Viel modification thoughts

[Ken S]

I wanted to post some photos of GenII before it becomes history. These show the original six inch Viel pulley; the view from above the motor speed control; the motor speed control (it may be difficult to see the reversing switch on the left hand side opposite the on/off and speed control switches); and the wooden housing attached to the Viel frame.

The wooden housing will remain as part of GenIII.

Gen II is a fine machine. I have no complaints with it, however, I believe Gen III will be an improvement.

Ken

[grepper]

Mr. Ken, Thanks for posting your Viel journey!  The lessons learned and the info will no doubt be very helpful to others who are attempting to do the same. There is nothing like learning from someone who has already done it!

[Ken S]

Thanks for your kind words, Grepper. I feel like the chronicler on the Lewis and Clark expedition, not the pioneering leader, but helping to fulfill the valuable function of sharing the discovery of the new territory. I have recently learned that several of my guides have actually done these modifications numerous times. My humble Viel has the benefit of some very experienced counsel.

I believe the Viel was designed by a school shop teacher. I mean this in the most positive spirit. The design is straightforward, rugged and simple. The manufacturing quality is excellent. The price is very reasonable and it is designed to work with a common and inexpensive NEMA 48 motor. The single speed motor and larger pulley are well suited to the metal shop environment.

We have expanded the scope of the original vision by adapting the Viel into a very efficient sharpening and multipurpose machine. It still retains its simple charm, but has become a much more capable tool, made even more do by the combined thoughts of the forum.

I am pleased to be a part of this process.

Ken

[Ken S]

Enough time has passed that we should share an update. Rupert and Ken have been working diligently. Unfortunately, half of the group have been vacationing in Sturgis, South Dakotawith no acceptable excuse.

Rupert and Henry have machined a bracket and mailed it and a Viel pulley to Ken. Unfortunately, the USPS priority box arrived with no contents. Ken has had better luck with his packages to Louisiana. A package arrived in Louisiana from Ohio with several kenjigs and instructions. Rupert should find another package waiting for him with a couple pieces of cut pyroceram. (Cutting pyroceram apparently is like making a fine print in a darkroom; the first is costly and time consuming; the next few are inexpensive.) A replacement package is heading north from Louisiana. Meanwhile, the original pulley and bracket are awaiting some faithful postal employee to complete the lost package report. We have not given up!

So, that is the up to the minute report on Gen III.

Ken

[Rupert Lucius]

Talked with our Moderator in South Dakota for several minutes today.  He is finishing up another batch of knives (12 each) for the Sturgis event.

He should have his Viel Gen III finished today.  Hopefully Mark will give it a work out running leather with diamonds at the "Buffalo Chip" - http://www.buffalochip.com/

Mark, and I like sharpening at lower speeds, the SM 1 Kalamazoo is at the top end for me 1800 +/- LFPM.

My sharpening speed with grit belts is usually 800/1400 LFPM. 

Start off with a Trizact A160 (P 120 grit), then to a blue 3M Scotch Brite belt and finish with a 8" cotton buff at 1800 RPM's - for me that is all there is to it.

One of our fellow sharpeners over in NW Arkansas works between 4400/5400 LFPM often using 2" wide belts.  Never damages a knife.  Blade pressure against the belt is his success story and his variable speed controller is pressure. Don uses several Viels running Baldor motors from Kalamazoo' SM 1 design.

Rupert

[Ken S]

Glad to hear about all the activity of our collegues presently in South Dakota. Apparently all is not quiet on the western front.

There is much to be learned about a light touch.

Ken

[Rupert Lucius]

My touch is "heavy", that is my justification for using variable speed motors

[grepper]

My touch is extremely light - Most of the time, little to no belt deflection at all on the Kally. Probably explains why I get away with using very coarse belts.

[Ken S]

Grepper,

To loosely paraphrase TR, "Grind softly and use a small drive pulley". The reason for moving from Gen II to Gen III with the Viel is to use a smaller drive pulley, like the Kallie uses, to reduce the surface feet per minute of the grinding belt. You Kalistas begin with an advantage, however, we Vielas are narrowing the gap!  

Ken

[grepper]

When you guys with Viels sharpen into belt rotation, do you do it on or off platen?