Hi all! I'm running the new T8 (with the water trough that raises and lowers) and, unlike my older T8, I have a problem with water spilling all over my work surface. This is particularly irritating as I'm continually replenishing the water and anti-corrosion additive ($$) needed for the diamond wheel I'm running. It doesn't seem to be an issue with the height of the trough or with the water level in the trough. Instead it seems like any water dripped onto the machine while knife sharpening simply runs down the side of the casting and misses the water trough. Any fixes?
Welcome to the forum, Larbo.
Your story is a "frequent flyer" on the forum. Do you notice the spillage when sharpening narrow tools like chisels? Or, does this occur mostly with longer knives which protrude beyond the water trough? If this is the case, are you using the detachable ramp? Some of us are often negligent in using the ramp; I confess to being part of this group at times.
The other thing I usually suspect is overfilling the trough. I recommend using a kitchen type graduate to fill the trough. Diamond wheels are non absorban, meaning that once enough water (solution) was in the trough, no more would be needed due to absorbance. Once the amounts of water and ACC are determined for the first wheel, future wheels should require the same amounts.
I fill a kitchen graduate with more than enough water and set the height of the trough. Then I gradually pour water into the trough until the water first begins to flow over the top of the wheel. The remaining water is subtracted from the original amount. The difference is the amountof water needed. Add to that number 1/25 of that amount to determine the amount of ACC needed. (Example 100ml water and 4ml ACC).
When I am through sharpening, I lower the trough and siphon out the solution with a turkey baster. I put this solution into a plastic jar and wipe out the trough with a paper towel.
Spillage should be nominal. Mark the jar with a a hash mark before using the solution. After sharpening, add enough water and ACC to the original line.
Please keep us posted.
Ken
When I am through sharpening, I lower the trough
If you have, or know someone with a 3D printer then you could get one of these printed for you.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4791736
Ken S, I use the ramp to collect any water that drips off the left-hand side, and since, as you say, the diamond wheel is non-absorbent, I run it with a minimum of water. I'm not losing any water when the machine is just running, it's definitely water that drips onto the casting, on the right-hand side, that is running down the side and not being collected in the water trough. It's a design flaw. The top of the casting has a bevelled edge, to direct drips back in the direction of the water trough, but there's no overhanging drip edge, so water runs straight down the side of the casting and bypasses the trough.
To add to Ken's remark on overfilling I found that you want to keep the trough as low as possible only raising it when the stone decreases in diameter.
Also try tilting the machine approx. 2 degrees to the left, the same direction as the water container is, through a few spacers under the feet.