I think the Viel S 5 M is a very useful and versatile tool, both for sharpeners and around the shop. I also believe it can be even more versatile with some minor modifications. What it lacks, unfortunately, is good supporting information. I purchased and modified my Viel based on good recommendations and very little product information. I hope to spare other interested members from falling into the pitfalls as I have.
The standard operating procedure with the Viel is to purchase the basic unit and attach your own motor, often a motor you already have. That is a clever, cost effective plan. Where is falls apart is in not clearly stating that the motor must be a NEMA 44 design. (I have three spare motors in my shop, and intended to use one of them. They are all NEMA 52, and would not work.) If you happen to have a spare motor, make sure it has a half inch shaft and that the middle of the shaft is three inches above the bottom. Googling ."nema motor specifications" will quickly give you all the information you need.
If you have a compatible motor, you will have this versatile tool for around a hundred dollars US. If you do not have a motor and have no desire for variable speed, I suggest you buy the grinder and motor as a package. I found the one quarter horsepower motor from Viel very adequate for light sharpening. Viel also sells one third and one half horsepower motors for those who contemplate heavier work. The cost difference is minimal.
For the same cost as a new fixed speed motor, you can order a new variable speed motor kit from Penn State Industries. These motors were originally designed for mini lathes, but work well with the Viel with a few minor modifications.
The kit usually comes with a four step pulley too firmly attached to the shaft. I had to very forcibly remove mine with a gear puller. Rupert suggests cutting it off with a saber saw with a metal cutting blade and a cold chisel. I have heard that Penn State Industries will also ship the unit with the pulley unattached. This is the smart way to order it. It may require ordering by telephone. The time spent on the telephone is well worth it.
The older Viel model has a smaller shaft opening. All that is needed is to drill three holes with the included drill bit. The included diagram or bracket provide a good template for spotting the holes.
The newer Viels, mine included, have a larger front opening. This makes mounting the motor only slightly more difficult. The easiest way is to cut off the plastic covering on the bracket and mount it flat against the frame. Temporarily taping a piece of paper to the opening of the bracket will help in alignment. Draw two perpendicular lines to establish a center point. Then draw a circle just smaller than the bracket hole. The center point of the hole should be centered side to side with the frame and be three inches above the inside of the frame. I used an electric drill with a quarter inch bit to drill the bolt holes. Although I used four bolts, two are adequate.Make sure to locate the bolt holes outside of where the motor lies and clear of the flat area of the sanding belt pulley. I used 1/4 x 20 thread hex bolts 3/4" long with flat washers and locking nylon filled nuts. (bolt heads on the outside of the frame.) This can be a home shop project, as I did, or a relatively inexpensive part of the job for a machine shop.
When aligning the three motor holes, pay attention to the position of the motor brushes. I placed the motor label on top. In hindsight, I wish I had placed the brushes at three and nine o'clock.
The second part of the modification is definitely a machine shop project, although not expensive. The motor shaft is 15mm (approximately ,59"). The bore of the Viel pulley is half inch (.5"). The shaft must be turned down or the pulley bored out. Either way will work. I had the shaft turned down. In hindsight, I think boring out the pulley is simpler and maybe .less expensive. Make sure that a flat soft is filed or milled where the pulley's set screw will sit.
You may want to mount the motor control unit to the frame and/or install a reversing switch at some point. With the motor bolted onto the frame and the shaft and pulley mated, the modified Viel is fully functional.
Since purchasing the PSI motor, I have received very regular marketing emails from PSI. If you are not rushed to complete this project, PSI runs occasional 10% sales on all products. I suggest signing up for their email list to be notified of sales. I have not received acknowledgements or replies from either of the two emails I sent to PSI product support. Fortunately, more experienced BESS exchange members have been very helpful. Thanks, guys.
Ken
The standard operating procedure with the Viel is to purchase the basic unit and attach your own motor, often a motor you already have. That is a clever, cost effective plan. Where is falls apart is in not clearly stating that the motor must be a NEMA 44 design. (I have three spare motors in my shop, and intended to use one of them. They are all NEMA 52, and would not work.) If you happen to have a spare motor, make sure it has a half inch shaft and that the middle of the shaft is three inches above the bottom. Googling ."nema motor specifications" will quickly give you all the information you need.
If you have a compatible motor, you will have this versatile tool for around a hundred dollars US. If you do not have a motor and have no desire for variable speed, I suggest you buy the grinder and motor as a package. I found the one quarter horsepower motor from Viel very adequate for light sharpening. Viel also sells one third and one half horsepower motors for those who contemplate heavier work. The cost difference is minimal.
For the same cost as a new fixed speed motor, you can order a new variable speed motor kit from Penn State Industries. These motors were originally designed for mini lathes, but work well with the Viel with a few minor modifications.
The kit usually comes with a four step pulley too firmly attached to the shaft. I had to very forcibly remove mine with a gear puller. Rupert suggests cutting it off with a saber saw with a metal cutting blade and a cold chisel. I have heard that Penn State Industries will also ship the unit with the pulley unattached. This is the smart way to order it. It may require ordering by telephone. The time spent on the telephone is well worth it.
The older Viel model has a smaller shaft opening. All that is needed is to drill three holes with the included drill bit. The included diagram or bracket provide a good template for spotting the holes.
The newer Viels, mine included, have a larger front opening. This makes mounting the motor only slightly more difficult. The easiest way is to cut off the plastic covering on the bracket and mount it flat against the frame. Temporarily taping a piece of paper to the opening of the bracket will help in alignment. Draw two perpendicular lines to establish a center point. Then draw a circle just smaller than the bracket hole. The center point of the hole should be centered side to side with the frame and be three inches above the inside of the frame. I used an electric drill with a quarter inch bit to drill the bolt holes. Although I used four bolts, two are adequate.Make sure to locate the bolt holes outside of where the motor lies and clear of the flat area of the sanding belt pulley. I used 1/4 x 20 thread hex bolts 3/4" long with flat washers and locking nylon filled nuts. (bolt heads on the outside of the frame.) This can be a home shop project, as I did, or a relatively inexpensive part of the job for a machine shop.
When aligning the three motor holes, pay attention to the position of the motor brushes. I placed the motor label on top. In hindsight, I wish I had placed the brushes at three and nine o'clock.
The second part of the modification is definitely a machine shop project, although not expensive. The motor shaft is 15mm (approximately ,59"). The bore of the Viel pulley is half inch (.5"). The shaft must be turned down or the pulley bored out. Either way will work. I had the shaft turned down. In hindsight, I think boring out the pulley is simpler and maybe .less expensive. Make sure that a flat soft is filed or milled where the pulley's set screw will sit.
You may want to mount the motor control unit to the frame and/or install a reversing switch at some point. With the motor bolted onto the frame and the shaft and pulley mated, the modified Viel is fully functional.
Since purchasing the PSI motor, I have received very regular marketing emails from PSI. If you are not rushed to complete this project, PSI runs occasional 10% sales on all products. I suggest signing up for their email list to be notified of sales. I have not received acknowledgements or replies from either of the two emails I sent to PSI product support. Fortunately, more experienced BESS exchange members have been very helpful. Thanks, guys.
Ken
