Gene Messer Strop Sharpening

[Doc AT]

I am intrigued by the strop sanding machine that Gene Messer uses in his video to sharpen his knifes?

As such, I have found a 9" Ryobi, a 10" Sears Craftsman, and a 9" Delta on Craigslist near me locally. Do you recomend any one of these units over the others?

DOC AT

[Iowa Carver]

Gene uses the Ultimate Sharpener from Chipping Away ( Canada ) Power Sharpener and Stro It's a fine machine, I use one as well. it is rewired so that the belt runs opposite of what a 1 inch belt sander would run. Delta makes one that will work with that same belt, 1 x 42 " . You could mount it in a plywood frame and mount it upside down and then the belt would be running in the right direction.

Corey

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

Doc, I use a Harbor Freight 1 x 30 " belt sander with a leather belt, same idea just a poor mans version. I have the machine hung upside down so the belt runs up, I made a wooden holder for the machine out of a shelving board, another member posted pictures, that's where I got the idea. The system works great, and very inexpensive, under $60.00 total.

Dave

[Gulf Coast Handyman]

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices - I got this on sale or a coupon for $30.00.

- SURGI SHARP LEATHER BELT 1" X 30" #567103 -

Dave

[Dicky]

I got the same unit at Lee Valley and bought it without the motor. I powered it with an old furnace blower motor. By switching two leads in the junction box you can reverse the motor rotation. This way you can use it as an aggresive sander/grinder or reverse it and with a leather belt it becomes a strop. Chipping away also sells it without a motor.

[Dull Knife]

Originally Posted by Dicky

I got the same unit at Lee Valley and bought it without the motor. I powered it with an old furnace blower motor. By switching two leads in the junction box you can reverse the motor rotation. This way you can use it as an aggresive sander/grinder or reverse it and with a leather belt it becomes a strop. Chipping away also sells it without a motor.

Then there's my way. I loosened the bolts that hold the motor to the base and turned the motor one half turn around. The wires conecting the motor to the base were long enough to make the turn with out binding. The on/off switch on my unit is located on the base.

[Donald K. Mertz]

Please note that if a person leaves the leather belt on the machine, over time the spring tension will stretch the belt so that it slips. If that happens, take leather belt off spay inside of leather belt with spray bottle of water, let dry so that it shrinks and next time take leather belt off when not in use for long periods of time.