Tormek Community Forum

In the Shop => Knife Sharpening => Topic started by: AusSn on May 09, 2024, 02:09:03 AM

Title: USB Height and positioning the blade in a KJ-45
Post by: AusSn on May 09, 2024, 02:09:03 AM
1) As a practical matter what is the maximum height of the USB to the top of the machine?  Based on some of the calculators it looks unlikely it would exceed 200mm but I am looking for real world correlation.

2) What is the best practice to try and ensure the KJ-45 (or similar) is holding the blade level?  In other words so that for the most part the blade is perfectly horizontal.  Do people use a guide or jig?  Just eyeball it?

Title: Re: USB Height and positioning the blade in a KJ-45
Post by: cbwx34 on May 09, 2024, 05:26:56 PM
Quote from: AusSn on May 09, 2024, 02:09:03 AM1) As a practical matter what is the maximum height of the USB to the top of the machine?  Based on some of the calculators it looks unlikely it would exceed 200mm but I am looking for real world correlation.

2) What is the best practice to try and ensure the KJ-45 (or similar) is holding the blade level?  In other words so that for the most part the blade is perfectly horizontal.  Do people use a guide or jig?  Just eyeball it?

1) Depends on the machine and which USB you have, but on a T-8 with the standard USB, you're pushing the limit at around 180mm on the vertical side.

2) Pinch the clamp closed so it "forms" around the knife, then loosely tighten the front screw, then the back one till it holds the blade in place.  That should keep it centered and straight with the clamp.
Title: Re: USB Height and positioning the blade in a KJ-45
Post by: John Hancock Sr on May 10, 2024, 01:22:20 AM
Quote from: AusSn on May 09, 2024, 02:09:03 AMWhat is the best practice to try and ensure the KJ-45 (or similar) is holding the blade level?  In other words so that for the most part the blade is perfectly horizontal.  Do people use a guide or jig?  Just eyeball it?

Sorry, not entirely sure what you mean. If you mean parallel to the surface of the wheel then the contact with the wheel does that. In addition if the water is flowing evenly over the knife then it is contact the whole way across.
If you mean at right angles to the edge of the wheel then that is not really as critical so just eyeball it as you say.
Title: Re: USB Height and positioning the blade in a KJ-45
Post by: cbwx34 on May 10, 2024, 04:58:28 AM
Quote from: John Hancock Sr on May 10, 2024, 01:22:20 AM
Quote from: AusSn on May 09, 2024, 02:09:03 AMWhat is the best practice to try and ensure the KJ-45 (or similar) is holding the blade level?  In other words so that for the most part the blade is perfectly horizontal.  Do people use a guide or jig?  Just eyeball it?

Sorry, not entirely sure what you mean. If you mean parallel to the surface of the wheel then the contact with the wheel does that. In addition if the water is flowing evenly over the knife then it is contact the whole way across.
If you mean at right angles to the edge of the wheel then that is not really as critical so just eyeball it as you say.

I think you understood it better than I did...  ::)

Yeah, if you mean level across the stone... watch how the water flows over the knife.