21-08-2012, 07:34 PM
Hi,
Thanks for the story of Holmes Hall Tannery David; it's a small world.
At last I've finally experimented with the new leather honing belt. The belt slipped onto the grinder easily and the spring adjuster automatically adjusted tension; the tracking didn't require adjusting.
I tried dressing the new belt under power with "white honing compound" but the belt didn't want to pick it up in fact the belt behaved more like an abrasive belt and was rubbing the compound away. With the belt stationary it was rubbed with the compound and now it began to retain some. At first the belt tended to round edges on the tools but it did improve as it bedded in a bit and the surface lost it's roughness; As the belt surface smoothed out more compound was added with the belt at rest; I only spent about half an hour playing around but the resulting mirror finish was most impressive as can be seen in the pictures. The grinder still needs an adjustable tool rest making and attaching so these tools were honed freehand. For a machine made from scrap and the only cost being consumables I'm pleased with its performance and I'm sure with practice I can obtain even better results. It was difficult taking the pictures due to the mirror finish reflecting light.
Kind regards, Col.
First attempts at power honing using leather belt and compound.
Thanks for the story of Holmes Hall Tannery David; it's a small world.
At last I've finally experimented with the new leather honing belt. The belt slipped onto the grinder easily and the spring adjuster automatically adjusted tension; the tracking didn't require adjusting.
I tried dressing the new belt under power with "white honing compound" but the belt didn't want to pick it up in fact the belt behaved more like an abrasive belt and was rubbing the compound away. With the belt stationary it was rubbed with the compound and now it began to retain some. At first the belt tended to round edges on the tools but it did improve as it bedded in a bit and the surface lost it's roughness; As the belt surface smoothed out more compound was added with the belt at rest; I only spent about half an hour playing around but the resulting mirror finish was most impressive as can be seen in the pictures. The grinder still needs an adjustable tool rest making and attaching so these tools were honed freehand. For a machine made from scrap and the only cost being consumables I'm pleased with its performance and I'm sure with practice I can obtain even better results. It was difficult taking the pictures due to the mirror finish reflecting light.
Kind regards, Col.
First attempts at power honing using leather belt and compound.
Happiness is a wreck of a cabinet to restore.
