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One of the things I really enjoy with this exchange is the opportunity to communicate with "the pioneers". I have exchanged emails with all of the pioneers, and had telephone conversations with most. To a man, they have been helpful and encouraging. I make this next comment with a playful spirit: Compared with these pioneers, I feel like a wimpy "poor relation"! Every one of the pioneers has at least three of the variable speed motors, and I have lost track of how many conversions Rupert has done over the years! I have only one.
I feel that the shared product surpasses whatever each of us might put together on our own. I am most pleased to be part of this group.
Ken
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(09-08-2017, 05:39 PM)Ken S Wrote: One of the things I really enjoy with this exchange is the opportunity to communicate with "the pioneers". I have exchanged emails with all of the pioneers, and had telephone conversations with most. To a man, they have been helpful and encouraging. I make this next comment with a playful spirit: Compared with these pioneers, I feel like a wimpy "poor relation"! Every one of the pioneers has at least three of the variable speed motors, and I have lost track of how many conversions Rupert has done over the years! I have only one.
I feel that the shared product surpasses whatever each of us might put together on our own. I am most pleased to be part of this group.
Ken
People like you Mr. Ken are the ones that make this World the wonderful place that it is.
As always
Rupert
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09-08-2017, 06:53 PM
(This post was last modified: 09-08-2017, 06:55 PM by Ken S.)
Thank you, Rupert. You continue to be an inspiration and a mentor.
Ken
ps.
It fascinates me that something as basic and ancient as sharpening continues to be a source of interest and wonder.
Ken
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Gen III.1 finally working!
I couldn’t wait any longer. I removed a half inch from my bracket piece and drilled several new holes. I am not exactly sure what I did wrong. I may have used the wrong orientation with the bracket.
Anyway, my Viel is now working in Generation III, with the smaller, high torque pulley. As usual, Rupert and Henry are ahead of me. I needed to raise the upper pulley to get the grinding belt taught again. Being a low tech type, I cut a piece of scrap wood on my bandsaw to fit between the spring and upper pulley assembly. In a previous topic, someone suggested using quarters to raise the upper pulley to correct a leather belt stretching. Rupert suggested using washers. Eleven washers are about right. The washers are standard for 3/8” diameter bolts, one of the most garden variety hardware store items. Rupert cleverly noted that they are magnetic, and easily removed. Adding or subtracting a washer or two compensates tension, including for leather belt stretching. The washers are the .1 version of Gen III.
I used Gen III .1 to remove straighten the shape of a knife and remove the entire bevel. This was part of a test of the new Tormek T2 with diamond wheel. The new modified Viel performed very well, as did the T2.
I will post more when some minor revisions are completed.
Ken
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Mr. Ken, knowing what you know now and having the benefit of lessons learned, if you were to start from scratch what do you think would be the cost of building one and how many man hours would be involved?
I know there are variables, so just a rough guesstimate.
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Mr. Grepper,
For someone with a home shop and some solid basic knowhow, the Viel and PSI motor could be had for plus or minus $250US. Add a little for some basic hardware store misc. A little more if the person didn't have a piece of baltic birch ply or similar for the wooden housing. I don't know the cost of the smaller Viel pulley; it was a gift from Rupert. (I buy Viel parts through sharpeningmadeeasy.com. That is Steve Bottorff, a trusted friend who is a Viel dealer.) I had $150 in motor repair shop charges to reduce the shaft to fit the pulleys and install the reversing switch. Roughly $400 total. A better strategy might lessen that a little.
I had several hours in converting from Gen I (standard motor) to Gen II (PSI motor with standard large pulley) to Gen III ( like Gen II, but with smaller pulley). Again with a better plan, I think the job could be done in three or four hours.
Gen II is a substantial improvement. Gen III is even better. If I had it to do over again, I would go directly to Gen III. In my opinion, the Viel is such a useful and versatile tool. I think it is well worth the cost and time. The conversion process greatly from a well written and illustrated plan.
Thanks for asking, Mr. Grepper.
Ken
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10-04-2017, 10:33 AM
(This post was last modified: 10-04-2017, 01:21 PM by Rupert Lucius.)
Someone should volunteer to kit the Gen III components - include photos and instructions on the internet.
Not necessary (for kit purposes) to reduce the motor shaft to 1/2" easier and less expensive to ream the 3 3/4" drive wheel to .590 and march on from there. I, like the 1/2" shaft dia. yes I know I am from the "old school".
Our machinist does the motor shaft for 40.00$. Less expensive to ream the drive wheel to fit the Penn Motor shaft metric.
The control box reversing switch installed, at another source, 5 miles from the machine shop is 37.50$.
Ken, we could have lowered the motor more (less washers under the yoke) we elected not to - we wanted clearance below the drive wheel for belt change and etc.
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11-18-2017, 04:01 PM
(This post was last modified: 11-18-2017, 04:01 PM by Rupert Lucius.)
Edge On Up
Will be doing a production run of Viel/Penn motor combo plates - as soon as Ken receives his prototype plate and gives EdgeOnUp the to go or not to go signal.
If your are interested contact EOU -
EOU will produce ONLY one production run - ONLY ONE RUN.
Ken, or someone will publish a template (no charge) that can be down loaded from this Forum you can create your own plate.
Sharpening Made Easy would be a source??? for plates????
Who knows???
Go ahead an contact EOU if you are interested. EOU is only doing one run, only one run.
Rupert
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(10-03-2017, 08:09 PM)grepper Wrote: Mr. Ken, knowing what you know now and having the benefit of lessons learned, if you were to start from scratch what do you think would be the cost of building one and how many man hours would be involved?
I know there are variables, so just a rough guesstimate.
Mr. Grepper,
I don't know exact figures quite yet, however, I learned yesterday that plans have been put in motion which will both significantly lower the cost of putting together a converted Viel AND improve the quality of the finished product.
Stay tuned..........things are getting exciting!
Ken
