"Leading Edge" 3D printed knife guided sharpening system. Assembly/Build/Use

Spats McGee said:
The rods are not permanently installed. I just pulled one out of one of my stones to confirm. I can try to take some measurements, but I’d need to know what you need, and how precise.
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Good, with removable rods then it should be easier. Are the stones removable from the plastic housing as well? If so, then it's very easy just to use my Leading Edge regular stone holders.

If the stones not removable and are glued into the plastic, then I will need the dimensions of the plastic housings to be able to design a printable holder for them to slip partially into. (Kind of like the Lansky holders I made).

I would need all the external dimensions of the housing and stone combines, including curve radiuses etc. I see (from pics) that the back part is rounded, so I won't be able to just make a basic flat surface clamp for the back. It would have to be a slip-in curved female part for the back.

The back and handle also seems a little higher than the front (where the Gatco rod goes in), so I would have to compensate for the height difference to ensure the stone is level when clamped in holders. It all seems possible to design, and I don't mind doing it for you, as long as I have complete and accurate data.
 
777 Edge said:
Good, with removable rods then it should be easier. Are the stones removable from the plastic housing as well? If so, then it's very easy just to use my Leading Edge regular stone holders.

If the stones not removable and are glued into the plastic, then I will need the dimensions of the plastic housings to be able to design a printable holder for them to slip partially into. (Kind of like the Lansky holders I made).

I would need all the external dimensions of the housing and stone combines, including curve radiuses etc. I see (from pics) that the back part is rounded, so I won't be able to just make a basic flat surface clamp for the back. It would have to be a slip-in curved female part for the back.

The back and handle also seems a little higher than the front (where the Gatco rod goes in), so I would have to compensate for the height difference to ensure the stone is level when clamped in holders. It all seems possible to design, and I don't mind doing it for you, as long as I have complete and accurate data.
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First of all, don't go to any extra trouble on my account. I mean that sincerely; I'm not being snarky. I'm what you might call "mechanically reclined," so the odds of my ever doing anything with this are, realistically, pretty low. I do think it's very cool that you not only designed it, but share the designs for free, though.

Second, what I wondered when I woke up this morning was why I couldn't just feed the Gatco guide rod (if I'm using the right term) through the collar on the post. The guide rod you use is considerably thicker, so I guess there would be some change in geometry, but if the Gatco guide rod is long enough, would that work? The hone comes on a holder, and this would seem to be less work.
 
Spats McGee said:
First of all, don't go to any extra trouble on my account. I mean that sincerely; ..

... but if the Gatco guide rod is long enough, would that work? The hone comes on a holder, and this would seem to be less work.
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No problem at all, I don't mind. You are correct, it would theoretically work to use the rod as-is, but it would be horribly loose and quite inaccurate.

My system is designed to be very accurate and to give a perfect sharpening angle, so it would be a little counter-productive to have so much play in the system because of the Gatco rod.

If you want to try using the Gatco rod just as it is, then maybe try to make a small collar that you can push into the plastic bearing on my system. A collar with 8mm outer diameter and the Gatco rod diameter for the inner diameter. At least this would reduce play and make it more accurate.
 
777 Edge said:
No problem at all, I don't mind. You are correct, it would theoretically work to use the rod as-is, but it would be horribly loose and quite inaccurate.

My system is designed to be very accurate and to give a perfect sharpening angle, so it would be a little counter-productive to have so much play in the system because of the Gatco rod.

If you want to try using the Gatco rod just as it is, then maybe try to make a small collar that you can push into the plastic bearing on my system. A collar with 8mm outer diameter and the Gatco rod diameter for the inner diameter. At least this would reduce play and make it more accurate.
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That was what I was thinking.
 
I'm working on a solution to help guys who don't have access to a 3D printer, to get hold of my Leading Edge systems if they were interested.

Still discussing options to provide printed and other parts as a kit. I'll post an update on that topic when all is in place.
 
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777 Edge 777 Edge , first of all, congratulations on getting your stuff out through Gritomatic. I've only recently re-entered the World of Sharpening, but that seems big. Second, you've been very generous in answering all of my newbie sharpening questions, and I appreciate that. When I get a better system, which I hope won't be long, I'd be glad to loan you a couple of my Gatco hones so that you can take whatever measurements you need to print stuff for that system, too. If you're not interested (or too busy right now, or what have you), it's really no skin off my nose. Just let me know if you are, so that I can buy a membership to get access to PMs.
 
Spats McGee said:
777 Edge 777 Edge , first of all, congratulations on getting your stuff out through Gritomatic. I've only recently re-entered the World of Sharpening, but that seems big. Second, you've been very generous in answering all of my newbie sharpening questions, and I appreciate that. When I get a better system, which I hope won't be long, I'd be glad to loan you a couple of my Gatco hones so that you can take whatever measurements you need to print stuff for that system, too. If you're not interested (or too busy right now, or what have you), it's really no skin off my nose. Just let me know if you are, so that I can buy a membership to get access to PMs.
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Hi Spats McGee Spats McGee , thank you! My original plans were never to sell my systems, but there has been overwhelming interest from guys who do not have access to 3D printers and would like to have one of my systems.

I have partnered with Gritomatic and I have become their designer and architect of all sharpener upgrades and systems. Gritomatic now is the proud owner of a 3D printer "farm" and will likely soon start selling printed kits with all the required parts that can be assembled by yourself. We are just sourcing all the hardware to be able to provide the system as affordably as possible.

Regarding the Gatco adapters - I will definitely consider making some adapters for those too in future, so we can have a PM chat about it some time if you like. It's very nice of you to offer a loaner for measurements. As a side note, you should consider looking into some stones other than the Gatco ones - a whole world awaits...especially the diamond bonded stones (Venev / CGSW etc.)

As for any other upgrades or accessories anyone else is interested in, please feel free to post about it so we can look into designing something that would be of interest to most of you.
 
777 Edge said:
Hi Spats McGee Spats McGee , thank you! My original plans were never to sell my systems, but there has been overwhelming interest from guys who do not have access to 3D printers and would like to have one of my systems.

I have partnered with Gritomatic and I have become their designer and architect of all sharpener upgrades and systems. Gritomatic has a 3D printer farm and will likely soon start selling printed kits with all the required parts that can be assembled by yourself.

Regarding the Gatco adapters - I will definitely consider making some adapters for those too in future, so we can have a PM chat about it some time if you like. As a side note, you should consider looking into some stones other than the Gatco ones - a whole world awaits...especially the diamond bonded stones (Venev / CGSW etc.)

As for any other upgrades or accessories anyone else is interested in, please feel free to post about it so we can look into designing something that would be of interest to most of you.
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Re: Gatco -- I've got the Gatco 10004 system, and I'll loan you as much or as little of that setup as you'd like. I understand that you originally didn't intend to sell the systems, but if people are willing to trade you money for it, why not?

As far as other stones, oh, I've discovered them . . . . I have a long history of getting fairly obsessive when I discover a new hobby, and sharpening hasn't been any different. I bought a couple of Sharp Pebble water stones a couple of years ago, and tried them out. Quickly realized that it had been decades since I'd sharpened a knife and what that meant. Got the Gatco system, and after a couple of years, wrote a "beginner's review" here. Then I grabbed an Arkansas stone Tri-hone from my parents (they were never going to use it), forgot about that, bought Ultrasharp Diamond stones, then accidentally found the Tri-Hone . . . . This is a very deep rabbit hole, indeed. I really want that Hapstone system next, but after that, I'll probably just make a couple of strops and call it good as far as sharpening gear goes, at least for a little while. At this point, what I need are more knives to practice on, and more practice.
 
Hi,

I updated the pivot of my 'leading edge' with a LM8UU 45mm bearing and a nylon washer (like Hapstone) for mor stability and precision, it works well.

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ruixin stones 200 400 600 1000 (diamond) and my 'strop' work well but i think i need finer stones because is not perfect

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small changes :

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How accurate is the Leading Edge system? Have a look below.

I just used my Leading Edge system and its rotating clamp bar, paired up with 2 Hapstone lite clamps. I used an angle cube and sharpened the angle on my Spyderco Manix 2 Maxamet to 14.7 degrees per side.

I used Venev Centaur stones, up to 800 grit and then threw it in my Gritomatic laser goniometer. Have a look at the pics and see how spot-on accurate the Leading Edge system sharpened the edge to 14.7 degrees per side.

On the goniometer scale, the dots are just over the 14.5 degree mark.

For those interested in the center dots, those dots is the angle of my Manix 2 knife's full flat grind angle. 2.5 per side, or 5 degrees inclusive.

IMG_20220323_104040.jpg
 
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Some ideas I am working on for a very affordable Leading Edge goniometer.

DIY Goniometer.. does it work?

I've seen the CATRA version, but ran into this on YouTube: I gave it a try with a laser bore sighting tool, and found a printable protractor online. I am not an engineer or scientist... and I'm pretty bad at math so I could be way off base. I tested my setup using objects with a known...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
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I normally sharpen my straight razors by hand, but I decided to do this Mappin & Webb late 1800's straight razor of mine a little differently today.

I used my Leading Edge sharpening system's magnetic mount, my low angle sharpening guide, my Leading Edge LED floodlight system and my set of Shapton Pro Kuromaku stones. I adjusted the angle on my Leading Edge sharpener to just barely clear the spine of the razor on in all areas and on both sides.

I used VERY careful, VERY light and only minimal sharpening strokes, finishing with my Shapton 30K. I used my Gritomatic digital angle cube to compensate for the difference in stone thickness with my Shapton set, and finished off with the 30K stone on a 0.2 degree higher microbevel.

This was followed by a handful of stropping strokes on 0.5 micron diamond paste, and then bare leather stropping before shaving with it.

End result was a very smooth and enjoyable shave. Posted about it in the WDYST thread too.

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CelloDan CelloDan 777 Edge 777 Edge Is this system still worth printing and building. I'm new to sharpening and wondering if it's worth it to build . I'm very experienced with 3D printing so it should be easy with my MK3S. Would I be better off spending the $$$ on a Work Sharp Precision and printing some of the upgrades for that? I was planning on buying some of the cheaper Aliexpress diamond stones to start out with for either sharpener to save money.
 
Abrasion0868 said:
CelloDan CelloDan 777 Edge 777 Edge Is this system still worth printing and building. I'm new to sharpening and wondering if it's worth it to build . I'm very experienced with 3D printing so it should be easy with my MK3S. Would I be better off spending the $$$ on a Work Sharp Precision and printing some of the upgrades for that? I was planning on buying some of the cheaper Aliexpress diamond stones to start out with for either sharpener to save money.
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It's worth building for sure and it will do a perfect job as a great sharpening system for you. The one I have left available for free on tinkercad, is my old version (the same version CelloDan CelloDan posted about here. It works well on a MK3S, printed in PLA with 4 top & bottom layers, 3 perimeters and 25% rectilinear infill.

Seeing that you already have a great printer and know what you're doing with 3D printing, I would definitely say make one for yourself! Post about it here when you're done or have questions.

FYI, Gritomatic will soon be selling my (much improved) new version, with a lot of upgrades and refinements. The new version won't be available for free. That said, the old version will work perfectly fine and does a great job.

As far as stones are concerned, the AliExpress cheap diamond plated 1x6 inch stones are perfect. Just make sure to lubricate them with weak soapy water when sharpening (a few drops of dish soap mixed with water in a squirt water bottle does the job).
 
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