Comment on Lock-Fast kit for Vari-Grind jig....

[Odie]

A couple of months ago, I installed a Lock-Fast kit on my Oneway Wolverine Vari-Grind sharpening jig.

The cost is $12.99 usd

Here's a link to view this product....click:
http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/s...Fast_Kit_for_Vari_Grind_Jig___lock_fast?Args=

Basically, what it does is replace the need for the spring steel in the Vari-Grind jig by adding a replacement ball bearing that swivels while being tightened against the bowl gouge.

This does a good job of holding, but probably not any better than the original spring steel does. Overall, it might not be worth the money......if for one thing in it's favor. It takes much less pressure to make a firm grip against the gouge than the spring steel that it replaced.

After noticing this, the light bulb clicked........Hey, since I no longer have to crank down as hard to have a solid hold on the gouge, I therefore no longer need that big tightening knob to do the same thing. I ground down that knob so that it's only a fraction of the size it was before......still only finger tightening is necessary.

Now, what difference does this make, you might be asking? Well, the big difference for me is that big knob no longer gets in the way of my hands while making a smooth pivot of the tool during grinding! In other words, grinding a gouge is just a little bit better because it's just a little bit smoother.

The Lock-Fast kit is a small price, and it's a small benefit.......but, in my humble opinion, it's worth every penny of it's cost! 😀

ooc

 

[john lucas]

I've always wondered if you dull the tool any while removing it from the spring mechanism which seems to drag across the edge the edge of the tool. I've never noticed a problem but this would eliminate that. How is it installed?

 

[Steve Worcester]

I have been using it for about a year now and one thing it does do is to provide constant pressure evenly across the gouge. I have found that over time the Vari-Grinds spring tends to get bent to the side and makes it harder to center smaller gouges.

 

[Rob Wallace]

Less than 5 minutes to swap-out the Vari-Grind Screw

I've always wondered if you dull the tool any while removing it from the spring mechanism which seems to drag across the edge the edge of the tool. I've never noticed a problem but this would eliminate that. How is it installed?

John:

Very easy to install.

Old Knob Removal: First remove the small screw & nut that holds the spring metal. Then grab the nut at the end of the main screw shaft with pliers, and then turn out the screw from the nut with the hand knob, and then remove the whole knob assembly. Note: You may need to break the seal on the Loctite that holds the "large" nut on the end of the main screw.

Installation of the new Knob/screw and bearing: Screw-in the new knob/screw combination into the Vari-Grind body. (Be careful not to ding up the machined part of the screw end.) Take a small piece of 3/4" thick hardwood that will fit into the Vari-Grind jig to support the bearing, and then compress the end of the screw into the bearing until the machined end is fully seated. You are done. Total Time - less than 5 minutes.

I think it is an improvement (even if slight) over the spring metal holding system, although I have used the original version of the Vari-grind jig for years. I also have wondered about dulling the edge while withdrawing it from the jig...

Rob Wallace

 

[John Jordan]

I don't think grip is the reason they offer this. The spring wears through and no longer holds the tool square. I figured they put the bearing on all of them these days. Sort getting the customer to pay for a (minor) design flaw.🙄😀

John

 

[Mitchell Cholewinski]

Odie
I'm not sure where I would stand on the spring replacement on your vari grind jig but I do have a question about the blue grinding wheel you have pictured and your sharpening a gouge. Do you finish sharpen your tools with a 46grit wheel? Mitch

 

[Odie]

Odie
I'm not sure where I would stand on the spring replacement on your vari grind jig but I do have a question about the blue grinding wheel you have pictured and your sharpening a gouge. Do you finish sharpen your tools with a 46grit wheel? Mitch

Mitchell........


Was just leaving.......but, will answer your question quickly......

Nope.....it's an 80gt blue Norton wheel. From there, I go to a 200gt slow speed wet grind wheel......

See you later......

ooc

 

[Jake Debski]

I think it is an improvement (even if slight) over the spring metal holding system, although I have used the original version of the Vari-grind jig for years. I also have wondered about dulling the edge while withdrawing it from the jig...

Rob Wallace

I think many of us have wondered about the spring dulling the fresh edge. I turn my gouge 90* to remove. That way the edge does not contact the spring.

 

[john lucas]

Jake That's far to simple to actually work. 🙂 I think it's what we refer to as a head slapper, in why didn't that occur to me.

 

[Bill Pottorf]

I don't think grip is the reason they offer this. The spring wears through and no longer holds the tool square. I figured they put the bearing on all of them these days. Sort getting the customer to pay for a (minor) design flaw.🙄😀

John

John, I fully concur with your take on this. Why don't we get Oneway to furnish this free to all of us? Who wants to tackle that?

 

[Bill Pottorf]

Jake That's far to simple to actually work. 🙂 I think it's what we refer to as a head slapper, in why didn't that occur to me.

John, that is funny, I had not thought of that either. Maybe old age for me, don't know about you.
Bill

 

[Owen Lowe]

John, I fully concur with your take on this. Why don't we get Oneway to furnish this free to all of us? Who wants to tackle that?

I don't see it as a design flaw - you have used the tool enough to wear through a wearable part. Seems the tool has served you well. Now your next step is to either replace the spring steel tab, replace the entire jig or use an aftermarket fix like the bearing.

Did the steel tab wear out within the warranty period? That's the only way I'd want Oneway to be responsible for a replacement.

--Owen

 

[Bill Pottorf]

I don't see it as a design flaw - you have used the tool enough to wear through a wearable part. Seems the tool has served you well. Now your next step is to either replace the spring steel tab, replace the entire jig or use an aftermarket fix like the bearing.

Did the steel tab wear out within the warranty period? That's the only way I'd want Oneway to be responsible for a replacement.

--Owen

Sorry, Owen! I was merely trying to make a poor attempt at humour. It was not really funny. I have used mine a lot - but have had to repair the plastic knob several times with ca glue. The spring steel is worn and doe's not hold the gouge flat. I am waiting on craft supplies to get in the kit with the brass knob and bearing before I replace. That is about $14.99 or so. I have almost all Oneway equipment and have been very satisfied with it, including a 2436.

 

[Rob Wallace]

Bill Pottorf wrote:

Sorry, Owen! I was merely trying to make a poor attempt at humour. It was not really funny. I have used mine a lot - but have had to repair the plastic knob several times with ca glue. The spring steel is worn and doe's not hold the gouge flat. I am waiting on craft supplies to get in the kit with the brass knob and bearing before I replace. That is about $14.99 or so. I have almost all Oneway equipment and have been very satisfied with it, including a 2436.

Bill:

The bearing retrofit kit for the Vari-grind jig that I just got from Craft Supplies a few weeks ago did not have a BRASS knob - plastic only - and a pretty good bearing, from what I can tell. Don't be disappointed if what you receive does not have a brass knob.

Rob Wallace

 

[Bill Pottorf]

Bill Pottorf wrote:



Bill:

The bearing retrofit kit for the Vari-grind jig that I just got from Craft Supplies a few weeks ago did not have a BRASS knob - plastic only - and a pretty good bearing, from what I can tell. Don't be disappointed if what you receive does not have a brass knob.

Rob Wallace

Rob:

I was just in craft supplies online today as well as yesterday. They have just listed the one with brass knob today as far as I can tell. The one without the brass is also listed at the 12.99 price. The new one with brass is not yet in stock but expected soon. http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/s...Upgrade_kit___oneway_vari_grind_upgrade?Args=

Bill

 

[Rob Wallace]

Why didn't I wait?

Thanks for the clarification Bill......I wasn't aware of the later upgrade "Brass" edition....perhaps offered by different companies?

.... of course Murphy's Law still holds with regard to me buying the plastic knob upgrade kit, and shortly thereafter, the brass knob version becomes available. One of those times (with 20/20 hindsight) that I wish I would have waited before buying the upgrade kit - The $2 price difference is trivial. Regardless, I still think of this as an upgrade - and that there's been a plastic knob on my Vari-grind for years...... ....still doesn't interfere with the function.

Just would have been a tad bit nicer with the brass knob....

Rob

 

[Steve Worcester]

Thanks for the clarification Bill......I wasn't aware of the later upgrade "Brass" edition....perhaps offered by different companies?.....

Rob

Yes, the plastic knob version is from (Stikfast) Sharp Fast, been around for a year or so. The brass knob version is from Oneway

 

[Bill Pottorf]

Yes, the plastic knob version is from (Stikfast) Sharp Fast, been around for a year or so. The brass knob version is from Oneway

Good information Steve. Now all we need to know is, who uses the best bearing to hold the gouge in place. If the Sharp Fast bearing is better, then maybe we should get that one instead? Or, doe's it really make any difference. I am jus kiddin aroun here!
Bill

 

[Aaron G+11]

A minor tweek at a minor cost.

It's not like some software companies were the tweeks are major and the pricetag matches.