Who made this electric sharpener, what's the craic on it in general?

[Hashishiin]

So, it's evidently a knife grinder. Showed up at my fiance's work and she cannot find the maker and asked me. I guess since I am a gold member now, I can ask what ya think it's worth, too, but it'll start off at ten so I can probably get it for that.
150 grit, advertised for scissors, knives, chisels, drill bits... might score it myself if it's a good one, I do not have any motor-powered tools like this and need one for a few things I want to do.


Thanks.

 

[scottc3]

Reminds me of an old home kitchen sharpener Tormek use to offer that I've seen at big bay. If no one knows specifically, waybackmachine's archive of Tormek's earliest webpages might have it.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

Found the item linked below on an auction site (closed auction - SOLD). They describe it as a 'Task Force' brand portable wet/dry utility sharpener, with '229668' referenced - maybe that's the model#. This listed item was sold in 2019 and the 'price realized' is shown as $8.40. Looks to be the same model or very similar. Searching on the 'Task Force' brand, it appears the brand is or was owned by Lowe's as a house brand for some economy-line tools.

Task Force Portable Wet/Dry Utility Sharpener | Lincoln Crum Auctions

Task Force Portable Wet/Dry Utility Sharpener for auction. 4.5" wet/dry utility Sharpener. Tested/Works. 229668.

lincolncrum.hibid.com

Edited to add:
Found another reference to this model on a forum site linked below, with a mention of one purchased at Lowe's in 2006 for $30. So that might give a clue as to age / vintage of these and the original selling price at retail. They also mention the unit might've been sold under other brands like Craftsman or Delta. Some mentions of the stone wheel having issues with cracking or fracturing as well.

Task Force Wet Grinder

Picked up today at Lowes a 4.5" wet grinder with a nice, wide 150 grit stone (looks to be an inch and a half wide). Turns at 170 RPM. Is reversible. Has two toolrests (nothing precision!) for whichever direction the wheel is turning and however you want the tool positioned...

www.penturners.org

 

[scottc3]

did you have prior knowledge? how did you find this stuff Obsessed? Perfect.

 

[Obsessed with Edges]

did you have prior knowledge? how did you find this stuff Obsessed? Perfect.

Little bit of luck. I started searching in Google Images for wet grinders (assuming the pictured one might be), and saw some other unrelated pictures of other makes/models that seemed generally similar in appearance (compact, enclosed housing, etc). Many of those were described as 'utility' grinders or sharpeners. When I then searched more specifically on 'utility grinder' (or 'utility sharpener') in Google Images, I saw the pic of the first one I linked from the auction site (that's the lucky part). That auction site page had more specific info about the brand and model. With that info, searching for more hits on the model ('Task Force 229668') was easy. That's where I found the other link to the forum site discussion about it and the details like purchase price / where bought / and issues with the wheels (more luck, in finding that much detail in one linked page) .

 

[Spey]

I have no idea as to "worth", other than Caveat Emptor (worth determined by informed/educated buyer as related to potential effective applications).

When I look at a tool, I attempt to imagine the tool in use in various applications.
1) I see what I assume would be a tool that would have relatively low power output (high RPM would likely be a negative result when related to secondary bevel grinding).
2) Appears to be set up for Edge-Leading and Edge-Trailing (positive as gives users options).
3) The table-guide configuration would present limitations.
Typically when sharpening, the grinding bevel must be indexed against either the primary bevel or the unground portion (the flat on a Saber or Scandi).
Imagine the flat plane of grinding bevel relationship to what rests on the table the primary bevel or the unground portion (the flat on a Saber or Scandi).
3a) Imagine how a bolster or handle scale would interfere with the table indexing the blade.
3b) Imagine how an unsharpened ricasso would interfere with the table indexing the blade.
4) I wonder what that pair of holes is on the lower half (appears to be additional table-guide mount) ...?

Example: Imagine sharpening a knife like a Chef's grind where the "bolster or handle" (3a) is some distance from the bevel to be ground and the secondary bevel is properly indexed to the stone at the plunge. If the Chef's knife has no ricasso (unsharpened portion between the the plunge and handle) the sharpener could work effectively. Now imagine the Chef's knife has a ricasso, as you begin sharpening (ricasso resting on table-guide) at the point the ricasso drops off the table-guide you are now either free-handing or if the primary grind drops to the table-guide you are now at a different sharpening angle.

Removing the table-guide would open up free-handing on the wheel reducing/eliminating some of my references in 3a) & 3b), but reference 1) above. Possibly the tool has a water reservoir for cooling ...
I would assume the applications related to knife sharpening would be limited with this tool, and value would be directly related to potential applications user might have.