I bought Ken Onion Elite last week. Told my wife I am going to go house to house to sharpen knives. Thinking about buying this. Thank you for all the great information.
I look forward to getting one of these. My old belt sharpener is a 45 year old Sharp Cut (no longer made). One thing I might do is glue a butt leather piece on top of the platen to soften up the cut. I am so glad I found your site. I really enjoy your manner of presentation.
Thank you for creating this video. This was a huge help to me in my decision making process. I've been eyeing one of these on eBay for a while but hadn't been able to find any in depth reviews. I'll be buying one today. Thanks again! 🙃🙂🙃
I like the fact that you can simulate sharpening on a Ken Onion Elite. Plus I see that there is no obstructions on either side when sharpening like that.
Something that I noticed when it comes to the tracking, your below need to be tight. One of my main issues was too much slack. The tighter the belt, the better the tracking!!!
I just received my Toolcker to find that the platen is almost non-magnetic! So trying to attach the buckle guide on with rare earth magnets will not hold very well. Must be some form of stainless steel. I’ll try some type of double sided tape and see how it holds up. My fear is that the heat of the belt will cause the adhesive to lose its tack hold. I could try and replace the platen with a mild steel version.
I just bolt mine down using a wing nut for faster bolting and unbolting to the table to keep it from moving and then unbolt it if I need to move it for cleaning or to use the space for something else takes a few extra minutes, but it takes away any aggravation of the sharpener moving.
1:30 no need for custom wheels, totally not necessary. Get a machinist to bore the stock HF wheel to 15mm (5 minute job) for $15, or free if you have access to a lathe or mini lathe. Have motor on hand to check for tight fit. So HF 1x30 $50, 550w Vevor or similar motor $100 or less, Have a machinist to bore wheel to a perfect 15mm+/- tight fit $15. So roughly $165 or less. Find some scrap plywood for a frame to mount it all to.
@@JC-pb4db 15mm is the diameter of those servo motors shaft/arbor. I think the HF wheel is around 14mm. It is just slightly smaller than the servo motor shaft. I just took the stock HF wheel and used a mini lathe and bored it out to perfectly fit the servo motor shaft. There is zero need for a rubber contact wheel for this application. Also when chucking up the wheel in the lathe you can see if it is running true and adjust if needed prior to boring it out to 15mm and you'll have a perfectly running wheel.
May have been bad bearings. I am always careful to minimize the speed on bearings which run in grease. The best greased bearings are only rated for 20,000 RPM's.
@@ALXSHARPEN TIMKEN makes some of the best American made bearings. You just need to know your specs for the bearing. Also Sweden SKF, Germany FAG and Japan NSK, NTN, and THK. Just like knives it's is very much about the steel used but also the precision taken when manufacturing, the ABEC rating.
@@ALXSHARPEN I heavily modified mine by adding a table and changing the size of the wheels and adding a glass to the platen. Mine have the stock bearings that I'm living with for now that get really hot. They are sealed bearings. I intend to change them soon to a decent quality.
@@ALXSHARPEN Roller Bearings are easy to source, use Bearing - ID + OD + Width - then select the highest RPM rated bearing. Grangers has a large selection but maybe a little pricey.
they probably didn't want to pay to get 110 V ones LOL ...Usually they put both like on the seweing machine motors they use and then mark it with a sharpie
I want to get into knife making just as a hobby for myself. I haven't purchased any tools yet. I was looking at the grizzly 2×42, its 397.00 right now. Would the toolker you are talking about be ok for a beginner knife maker?
The 2x42 would be better for knife making I don't make knives I'm mostly a sharpening business in knife making you have to hog off a lot of metal so the bigger the machine the better. Knife sharpening is really a different skill and to do it really well take different equipment even though we have a lot of crossover between the two things sharpening and making. You should check out Walter Sorrells channel if you want to start making knives that's one of my favorite channels to go to for knife making tips.
@@bobonysko3167 there have been some slight differences but most are essential the same machine I have links in my list of tools they have all been pretty good but can’t say for every seller and new ones come and go regularly
Got one of these almost 5 yrs ago, they used to be cheaper when they first came out, from memory i think they were copied from a manufacturer in middle east
Appreciate your insight on these machines. Looked at them for a long time, always wondered how good they were. Looks good as a second grinder. Also looks like the tracking wheel adjustment in reverse quite well. I have a 2x72 which has a tracking wheel that is useless in reverse. Looks like your new belt grinder design, places the wheel more directly above the motor. Any other thoughts on why it may work in reverse ?
Well the tracking part is very well made and designed it has a really amazing range of motion so I an sure that is what makes it go in both directions well. It's one of the best features of this machine and clearly some thought went into that its a much more advanced tracking than a HF but all of my HF track fine. So far i am really happy with it. My 2 x42 has more issues going edge trailing as thee nut sometimes wants to come off in that direction on my drive wheel even with a lock washer on it.
Nice video! Been looking at those as well but wasn’t so sure about them 398$ and other one was 359. Before I get ahead of myself, are those multipositional? Go flat with the platen and other position?
yes you can angle the platen with the two wheels to a wide range of angles if thats what your asking you can also run the entire unit on its side and it has a flat side grinding guide.
@@ALXSHARPEN yes, great! But I did not see any advice on how to avoid getting the small metal dust spread around. Tormek use a magnet. Any idea what to use on a 1x30? Thanks for all your videos!
Do you think this would ve any good as a beginner stock removal grinder i would just be using it on bevels for smaller knives mostly just aint ready to shell out that 1000$ for a 2x72
Yes it’s a fantastic little machine you could totally make a knife with it even though it’s small it’s mighty just get good belts from Cliff Curry or Combat Abrasives or Red Label and you will be off and running
Hi,I have this Toolcker and immediately the adjustment wheel didn't work well. But now I started up the machine and it showed a flickering pd on the screen. And wat I did, pull the plug out etc. Pushed combinat buttons nothing works and I can't reach the factory. He's anyone out there an idea how to solve this problem? Thanks Peter from Holland
Would need more information if they wanted to possibly have a business or make knives then yes possibly but I like a lot of sharpeners and the still should make an angle guide for this machine I have videos on how to do it. If its just a knife collector or enthusiast or has no experience with power tools then I might look to a different system thats not powered. My site has a big list of great sharpeners. I was recently given a TSPROF Pioneer and it's a really great sharpener in the same range of price if starting out belt sharpening the Ken Onion Elite is good to get your feet wet and I know sharpeners that run businesses with usually a few of them just to save time. But this machine is my favorite and most versatile.
@@ALXSHARPENthank you so much sir I appreciate all the information your giving I'm a beginner but I want to make a business out of sharpening tools and knives
I just bought one and received it today. My belts keep slipping off and tracking doesn’t do anything to correct. Did you have to do anything to get it run properly?
I didn’t but but have helped others who did first check the screws on the tracking wheel there are 4 that take an Allen key they are often to lose. Another trick is add some electrical tape to the tracking wheel wrap it around enough to raise the center a 1-2 mm that usually does the trick
Everything was tight, the electrical tape corrected the issue. I’ve ordered a wider tape from Amazon to maintain tracking. Thank you for you assistance
@@r.e.sharpening991 some guys have replaced that one wheel with a rubber convex wheel and that apparently the very best solution I’ll see if I can source it to see where they got it from because I would like to make that conversion myself-if I find it I’ll do a video
Thank you for the great content... I am looking to step up my sharpening game , can a belt sander like this give the same level of results as a machine like a Tormak or Tormak knockoff ? Can you get a BES score as low with a belt sander as you do with the Tormak ?
Yes BESS score has many factors and the machine isn't really one low BESS scores are obtained by: low angle ,high grit, proper honing many sharpening systems can give you low BESS Scores
@@ALXSHARPEN thank you for the response !! Okay so I’m a hobby sharpener , currently use a standard 1x30 with good results. All our knives are junk so I’m ok with the setup but like all hobbyists I want to step up to the next level in knives and sharpening system . I am looking at a Tormak Clone with accessories or a 1x30 like this. Will be used for sharpening only , just personal use .. which setup when used correctly is the superior sharpening system for standard knives ? Or which would you suggest ?
I bought Ken Onion Elite last week. Told my wife I am going to go house to house to sharpen knives. Thinking about buying this. Thank you for all the great information.
Hope you enjoy it! Good luck with the house to house
I look forward to getting one of these. My old belt sharpener is a 45 year old Sharp Cut (no longer made). One thing I might do is glue a butt leather piece on top of the platen to soften up the cut. I am so glad I found your site. I really enjoy your manner of presentation.
Thank you for creating this video. This was a huge help to me in my decision making process. I've been eyeing one of these on eBay for a while but hadn't been able to find any in depth reviews. I'll be buying one today. Thanks again! 🙃🙂🙃
I have the same machine, and I love. So versatile
I like the fact that you can simulate sharpening on a Ken Onion Elite. Plus I see that there is no obstructions on either side when sharpening like that.
Just bought one using your link. Love your content. Thank you and God bless, brother
Awesome! Thank you! There is a few in the collection for the Toolcker 1x30 and how I modified an angle guide for it for the shop
Btw, thank you for posting these videos...they are very well done and very informative!
Thank you
Something that I noticed when it comes to the tracking, your below need to be tight. One of my main issues was too much slack. The tighter the belt, the better the tracking!!!
I just received my Toolcker to find that the platen is almost non-magnetic! So trying to attach the buckle guide on with rare earth magnets will not hold very well. Must be some form of stainless steel. I’ll try some type of double sided tape and see how it holds up. My fear is that the heat of the belt will cause the adhesive to lose its tack hold. I could try and replace the platen with a mild steel version.
I just bolt mine down using a wing nut for faster bolting and unbolting to the table to keep it from moving and then unbolt it if I need to move it for cleaning or to use the space for something else takes a few extra minutes, but it takes away any aggravation of the sharpener moving.
1:30 no need for custom wheels, totally not necessary. Get a machinist to bore the stock HF wheel to 15mm (5 minute job) for $15, or free if you have access to a lathe or mini lathe. Have motor on hand to check for tight fit. So HF 1x30 $50, 550w Vevor or similar motor $100 or less, Have a machinist to bore wheel to a perfect 15mm+/- tight fit $15. So roughly $165 or less. Find some scrap plywood for a frame to mount it all to.
What is the benefit of the 15mm?
@@JC-pb4db 15mm is the diameter of those servo motors shaft/arbor. I think the HF wheel is around 14mm. It is just slightly smaller than the servo motor shaft. I just took the stock HF wheel and used a mini lathe and bored it out to perfectly fit the servo motor shaft. There is zero need for a rubber contact wheel for this application. Also when chucking up the wheel in the lathe you can see if it is running true and adjust if needed prior to boring it out to 15mm and you'll have a perfectly running wheel.
I was able to use the stock wheel after using a drill press with a forstner bit to bore out the hole
Thanks for this review! Just ordered one!!!
Thank you for the video. This looks amazing. Ordering one today!!!
Bought this exact one- be prepared to replace the bearings soon- they get super hot.
May have been bad bearings. I am always careful to minimize the speed on bearings which run in grease.
The best greased bearings are only rated for 20,000 RPM's.
Where did you get the bearing from for it. Wonder if it would be worth doing them now maybe they used a cheap grease
@@ALXSHARPEN TIMKEN makes some of the best American made bearings. You just need to know your specs for the bearing. Also Sweden SKF, Germany FAG and Japan NSK, NTN, and THK. Just like knives it's is very much about the steel used but also the precision taken when manufacturing, the ABEC rating.
@@ALXSHARPEN I heavily modified mine by adding a table and changing the size of the wheels and adding a glass to the platen. Mine have the stock bearings that I'm living with for now that get really hot. They are sealed bearings. I intend to change them soon to a decent quality.
@@ALXSHARPEN Roller Bearings are easy to source, use Bearing - ID + OD + Width - then select the highest RPM rated bearing. Grangers has a large selection but maybe a little pricey.
Just ordered one. Should be here this week.
Thank you for watching
It is interesting that the machine name plate lists the voltage as, “220V; 50hZ” Any comments about that?
they probably didn't want to pay to get 110 V ones LOL ...Usually they put both like on the seweing machine motors they use and then mark it with a sharpie
I want to get into knife making just as a hobby for myself. I haven't purchased any tools yet. I was looking at the grizzly 2×42, its 397.00 right now. Would the toolker you are talking about be ok for a beginner knife maker?
The 2x42 would be better for knife making I don't make knives I'm mostly a sharpening business in knife making you have to hog off a lot of metal so the bigger the machine the better. Knife sharpening is really a different skill and to do it really well take different equipment even though we have a lot of crossover between the two things sharpening and making. You should check out Walter Sorrells channel if you want to start making knives that's one of my favorite channels to go to for knife making tips.
Great info on that toolcker , think I might get this one based on this video.
Right on
Is there any difference between the "Toolckrs" shown on Amazon. If so, which one is best for knife sharpening? Thank you for replying!
@@bobonysko3167 there have been some slight differences but most are essential the same machine I have links in my list of tools they have all been pretty good but can’t say for every seller and new ones come and go regularly
Got one of these almost 5 yrs ago, they used to be cheaper when they first came out, from memory i think they were copied from a manufacturer in middle east
They have been around awhile
Just saw the video. They are no longer available on Amazon.
www.alexandriaknifesharpening.com/sharpening I found some good links
Appreciate your insight on these machines. Looked at them for a long time, always wondered how good they were. Looks good as a second grinder. Also looks like the tracking wheel adjustment in reverse quite well.
I have a 2x72 which has a tracking wheel that is useless in reverse.
Looks like your new belt grinder design, places the wheel more directly above the motor.
Any other thoughts on why it may work in reverse ?
Well the tracking part is very well made and designed it has a really amazing range of motion so I an sure that is what makes it go in both directions well. It's one of the best features of this machine and clearly some thought went into that its a much more advanced tracking than a HF but all of my HF track fine. So far i am really happy with it. My 2 x42 has more issues going edge trailing as thee nut sometimes wants to come off in that direction on my drive wheel even with a lock washer on it.
@@ALXSHARPEN Try some mid strength lock-tight. The high-strength can make it hard to remove the nut. Use some heat on it if that becomes an issue.
Nice video! Been looking at those as well but wasn’t so sure about them 398$ and other one was 359. Before I get ahead of myself, are those multipositional? Go flat with the platen and other position?
yes you can angle the platen with the two wheels to a wide range of angles if thats what your asking you can also run the entire unit on its side and it has a flat side grinding guide.
What’s the grit on that scotchbright
Any advice on if its possible to set it up in such a way that metal would be collected? Like some magnet.
I have several videos on this machine has its own category th-cam.com/play/PLyHAKZDFNFkuvvl3v31w-6sTviAmJVq8c.html
@@ALXSHARPEN yes, great! But I did not see any advice on how to avoid getting the small metal dust spread around. Tormek use a magnet. Any idea what to use on a 1x30? Thanks for all your videos!
I like on off magnets put next to it helps
www.amazon.com/dp/B07YJBZYZH?tag=alxsharpen-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1
@@ALXSHARPEN thanks for advice! Where do you put the magnet?
Do you think this would ve any good as a beginner stock removal grinder i would just be using it on bevels for smaller knives mostly just aint ready to shell out that 1000$ for a 2x72
Yes it’s a fantastic little machine you could totally make a knife with it even though it’s small it’s mighty just get good belts from Cliff Curry or Combat Abrasives or Red Label and you will be off and running
@@ALXSHARPEN thanx I really appreciate it
Is that toolcker working out good for you? Tempting! I noticed a tracking issue?
Yes did you see the video I did on the tracking hack Cliff Curry gave us I love it
Apparently no longer available on Amazon.
did you try my links www.alexandriaknifesharpening.com/sharpening both are good
Hi,I have this Toolcker and immediately the adjustment wheel didn't work well. But now I started up the machine and it showed a flickering pd on the screen. And wat I did, pull the plug out etc. Pushed combinat buttons nothing works and I can't reach the factory. He's anyone out there an idea how to solve this problem?
Thanks
Peter from Holland
Check all your connections and watch all the videos I have several on this machine and how to fine tune it, including the wheel.
Thank you vertu much
i was wondering if i could replace the 1 inch rollers with 2 inch rollers
I doubt it - why would you want to? The don't make 2x30 belts
I just got mine. It says 220 volts with a 110 v plug. does it need to run on 220? or is that done by the transformer controller?
No they where cheap and put that plate on all of the if it has a 110 plug its 110V 220 looks like a dryer plug
hi i have a question would you recommend this machine for a beginner knife sharpener?
Would need more information if they wanted to possibly have a business or make knives then yes possibly but I like a lot of sharpeners and the still should make an angle guide for this machine I have videos on how to do it. If its just a knife collector or enthusiast or has no experience with power tools then I might look to a different system thats not powered. My site has a big list of great sharpeners. I was recently given a TSPROF Pioneer and it's a really great sharpener in the same range of price if starting out belt sharpening the Ken Onion Elite is good to get your feet wet and I know sharpeners that run businesses with usually a few of them just to save time. But this machine is my favorite and most versatile.
www.alexandriaknifesharpening.com/sharpening
@@ALXSHARPENthank you so much sir I appreciate all the information your giving I'm a beginner but I want to make a business out of sharpening tools and knives
What’s the price & part # so as to order
www.alexandriaknifesharpening.com/sharpening
Hello, how do I change the toolcker address?
Thank you!
I don't understand "address?"
@@ALXSHARPEN Sanding direction, for when using scotch Brite belts
Does it have a sealed motor for dust
not sure
I just bought one and received it today. My belts keep slipping off and tracking doesn’t do anything to correct. Did you have to do anything to get it run properly?
I didn’t but but have helped others who did first check the screws on the tracking wheel there are 4 that take an Allen key they are often to lose. Another trick is add some electrical tape to the tracking wheel wrap it around enough to raise the center a 1-2 mm that usually does the trick
@@ALXSHARPEN Thank you sir. That’s something that I haven’t thought of! Appreciate the help.
Everything was tight, the electrical tape corrected the issue. I’ve ordered a wider tape from Amazon to maintain tracking. Thank you for you assistance
@@r.e.sharpening991 some guys have replaced that one wheel with a rubber convex wheel and that apparently the very best solution I’ll see if I can source it to see where they got it from because I would like to make that conversion myself-if I find it I’ll do a video
@@ALXSHARPEN I thinks that’s a brilliant idea. If you do swap it could you please share exactly how you did it?
Have you tried a 1×42 belt on it? Just curious if theres enough range of adjustment for it to work
Definitely not enough the center part would need to be about twice as big as it is now
Followed your tutorial for the simulation of the Ken Onion and it worked flawlessly! The only downside was the amount of feathered burr. Lol
Thank you for watching yes that bur is a pain I am going to do a video soon on all the different ways I deal with burrs
Thank you for the great content... I am looking to step up my sharpening game , can a belt sander like this give the same level of results as a machine like a Tormak or Tormak knockoff ? Can you get a BES score as low with a belt sander as you do with the Tormak ?
Yes BESS score has many factors and the machine isn't really one low BESS scores are obtained by: low angle ,high grit, proper honing many sharpening systems can give you low BESS Scores
@@ALXSHARPEN thank you for the response !! Okay so I’m a hobby sharpener , currently use a standard 1x30 with good results. All our knives are junk so I’m ok with the setup but like all hobbyists I want to step up to the next level in knives and sharpening system . I am looking at a Tormak Clone with accessories or a 1x30 like this. Will be used for sharpening only , just personal use .. which setup when used correctly is the superior sharpening system for standard knives ? Or which would you suggest ?
I use mine for stropping.
wunnerful
Can you please tell me what angle finder that is brother... also do you have a number I could call you at...
What’s the grit on that scotchbright