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Post by shaggybear32 on Mar 3, 2015 8:27:41 GMT
so I'm looking for a cheap way to keep my swords sharp (I'm a little poor at the moment) and i was thinking i might just pick up an accusharp or a similar tool. i know that it does put a secondary bevel on the blade and that is not the ideal cutting geometry, though i heard that it still cuts decently enough.
it got me thinking how hard is it to change from the secondary bevel to a convex bevel using something like a belt sander so i can change the edge later. what would you guys suggest.
and if i wasn't and Aussie i would be going straight for the harbor freight sander everyone praises so much. i cant find an equvilent model here and other types are expensive.
cheers
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Mar 3, 2015 8:43:22 GMT
(a) What kind of swords?
(b) Depending on how hard the sword blade it is, it can be easy enough to convert to a convex bevel with a file and stone.
(c) Rather than an accusharp or similar, a cheap fine diamond plate/stone (or rod) can sharpen easily, at the angle you want. The problem with the accusharp is that it has a fixed angle, and cuts quite fast.
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Post by ineffableone on Mar 3, 2015 9:31:37 GMT
#1 please don't get an accusharp or anything similar to that. They are horrible for a blade, tending to create more a small toothed serration rather than a sharp edge. They are also very easy to mess up and take way too much material off an edge. As for how easy it is to convert a 2ndary bevel to a convex, really a lot depends on the tools you use. With a belt sander conversion happens quite quickly and easily. I know not really possible for your budget and location. By hand with file, stone, sand paper a bit more time consuming. It is not exactly hard, but very time consuming. And you would want to have a good eye to make sure you get it even. Using a marker to know what part of the edge you have ground off vs what you still need to grind can be quite helpful. And Wow you weren't kidding at the Aussie prices for the 1"X30" belt sanders, ebay AU has some of them listed for over AU$200! Though I did spot a couple at AU$75 and AU$73 saying free shipping but then when actually looking at the item page they list AU$48 for shipping. LOL the cost of the item to ship from the US. Which is kinda funny since it is made in China. Makes you wonder if there isn't some Chinese source you might be able to find them. Something that could make hand conversion a bit easier is something like this bow sander. Not that you would have to actually buy one if your handy. It shouldn't be that hard to DIY some sort of metal or wood piece to do a similar job of holding a belt with room to give a good covex making slackness. If you do a search of images of bow sanders there are tons of different DIY versions. From some pretty well thought out and highly worked versions To simple made to get the job done functional ones
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Post by shaggybear32 on Mar 3, 2015 10:30:30 GMT
wow a bow sander. why did i not think of that. looks easy enough to make one too. just got to get the right amount of slackness to it. cheers. your a legend
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Post by Bryan Heff on Mar 3, 2015 13:52:18 GMT
That bow sander idea is great...never thought of that. Fantastic idea.
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Post by KaOsBlaKbLaDe on Mar 3, 2015 17:20:10 GMT
I am so glad that I'm not the only one to never give this idea a passing thought. This has already solved a huge problem for me. What a simple, yet fabulous tool.
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Post by ineffableone on Mar 3, 2015 18:04:45 GMT
Wow, glad I could help folks out with the bow sander. Had no idea they weren't commonly known. But then I have been hanging out with woodworkers since I was young so might have been exposed to tools not everyone was.
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Post by aussie-rabbit on Mar 3, 2015 23:20:15 GMT
While not as cheap as the American version the 1 X 30 belt sander is available from here - www.woodworking.com.au/ use the search bar and type in "belt" the first pic is the belt sander, as $229 it is a bit expensive but works well - Stan Kofoed is a good bloke and there are plenty of choices for belts. If you have patience you can do it by hand, very cheaply - have a look here - www.sword-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=13285Yes you can turn a bevelled edge into a polished appleseed
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