Will’s Mods Part 3 (a)

I have a concern about the leavers replacing the keys and it is to do with the amount of torque that can be applied it is that the steel machine screws are threaded into aluminium it should not be a problem so long as care is used a comparison would be screwing a spark plug into a cylinder head again steel going into aluminium threads . I was told and to this day do it that is- finger tight and half a turn is sufficient.
I mention this since the standard key has been designed to avoid over torquing the screws.
I use allen keys in preference over the WE key but I use the short part of the key in my hand to avoid over tightening.
I like the idea of the leavers very much but would suggest care is used since the leverage is potentially quite large.
I try to set things firmly on the WE but I prefer to be cautious about either applying too much pressure or perhaps worse still is a sort of snatch up motion like a jerk that can increase the torque immensely this is how on a traditionally rigged yacht without winches lines are jerked very tight.
I am impressed with the modifications and it will definitely speed set up time but I would try to use it gently otherwise I think some aluminium parts will stress and fail if adequate care is not taken.
I think the knife steadying set up is a great tool all too often on knives getting the primary burr I am supporting the other side of the blade to try to maintain the set angle which is not entirely effective it improves it but does not stop it completely and this leomitch mentions as a vast improvement.
I should imagine at some time in the future I shall be getting these add ons for my WE.

Leo Nav

I think Leo Mav has a good point! As I recall on my first set up? I thought to self, self don’t break this thing. My second wife did not allow me to use the garlic press as I always snapped them trying to crush the cloves. I would be ssooo bummed if I stripped my WE! 😳
However I still maintain this mod? (if you sharpen a lot) is on the got to have list!!! B)

Leo the ancient, thanks so much for the great set up comment!! It is hard to believe just a couple years ago, I ordered some oil stones in to touch up my roommates horrible knives? Saw the WE on Blade forum and now it looks as if someone feed my WE steroids? :S

I have come up with one more mod and Will is making it for me now. I realized (after the fact) that when I used the low angle adapter that the new support arm is to low? The support actually needs to be 5.00″ tall to keep the knife horizontal.
In typical Will style he is knocking it out for me now.

Not a Will mod, but to give Clay some credit? The SWAT is also very handy! I have made it a point to use my diamonds, ceramics and Chosera together and I got to tell you the SWAT makes it sssoooo much easier!!! 😛

I have a concern about the leavers replacing the keys and it is to do with the amount of torque that can be applied it is that the steel machine screws are threaded into aluminium it should not be a problem so long as care is used

Leo Nav

Just a quick note to support your call for care…..

In another thread I also mentioned that at Christmas I was showing my nephew my WE. We sharpened his SOG Twitch II. With the standard knobs, I tightened the left angle knob so tight it stripped out.

(Despite it being obvious user error, Customer Service replaced it for me.)

It’s an industrial strength product; care still need be taken.