07-31-2019, 10:33 AM
(07-31-2019, 02:59 AM)Jan Wrote: Rick, thanks for sharing, it looks very promising now. Please let us know how it works.
It seems to me, that for the bevel angle of 12⁰ the blade is almost horizontal what is practical if it is your preferred angle.
To protect your lungs you may install a vacuum cleaner tube and suck up the chips and dust.
Jan
Jan,
Yes, the blade/jig are horizontal at 12º. Higher angles, which I have used more commonly, they would be angled slightly down and away from the USB to the belt. That means the belt/platen are also angled at 12º. It is a balance between the sander angle/tilt and a vertical USB. A higher angle sander angle/tilt would be desirable, I think. But at higher sander angles, the jig adjustable collar interferes with the vertical USB. I looked at angling the USB also to compensate, but did not like it because it does two things: 1) the USB changes both height and distance as you move from blade angle to blade angle, and 2) it draws the contact point of the bevel apex with the belt downward on the platen, closer to the end of the platen.
On the jig/blade angle being slightly down and away, I reasoned that on the Tormek, I work with a similar approximately horizontal orientation of the jig/blade, so it should work with the sander. With a standard front horizontal USB on the Tormek, the USB is well below the top of the grinding wheel, putting the jig/blade angled upward, with easy view of the contact point between the apex and wheel. However, I use a Frontal Vertical Base (FVB), which elevates the USB such that the jig/blade are still angled slightly upward, it is close to horizontal. Couple that with the Tormek being almost 7" higher than the working height of the Viel, both on the same work surface, I further reasoned that my eye-view of the Viel is better. Keep in mind that I work at the Tormek from a sitting position, whether I am working edge-trailing or -leading, which changes angles from the nominal standing position. I hope this is clear enough to be understandable.
Historically, I sharpened most kitchen knives to 14º or 16º, or replicated whatever angle was there if it was a well established bevel or to re-establish a factory bevel. Based on Knife Grinders excellent work demonstrating the benefits of 12º, I tried that angle on a collection of knives from the local high-end steak house. It has been months and they are still raving about how sharp those knives are and how they have stayed sharp. So, I expect to be doing a lot more at 12º.
I agree with you about devising some sort of vacuum system to pull away the sanding dust/debris. First, it gets all over everything, which is very annoying and destructive to other machine tools. Second, but probably more important, are the health risks caused by airborne particulates. I've been thinking of just how to go about it, as I work on the basic assembly. I want to make it like a shroud, covering at least three sides, top and both sides. But, in order to make belt changes feasible and fast, it would have to get fancy to make a shroud on the open side easily removable or "flip-up". I can ponder it a bit while working on the Viel assembly, but can't really get serious about it until that is done.
Some time ago, I bought some 3/4" dia. loc line with flared intakes and Y-joints, etc., intending to install vacuum action on my bandsaw. That has not happened yet, but I envision using something like that on the Viel. I am more likely to do a hard piping setup using PVC pipe on the bandsaw and that is partly based on my sense that the 3/4" loc line will not be up to the volume of sawdust coming off the bandsaw. I will find out if it is adequate for the Viel.
Rick