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"Big Rig" Dual-Vise Multi-Carriage Modular Set-up

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  • #50802
    MarcH
    Moderator
    • Topics: 74
    • Replies: 2733

    Here’s a concept project I’ve been working with for the last year or so.  It started out as a “why not?’ idea and I developed it and refined it into this well functioning and practical working model.  It was originally contrived as a method to answer some of my sharpening limitations of my WEPS models.  I mostly sharpen kitchen/chef’s knives.  Some are large and long.  These proved tedious to sharpen with my standard W.E. models.

    Many other WEPS users devised methods and adapters to help overcome these clamping limitations.  Some used RAM Mount Adapters.  Some use framing systems.  Others even utilized more then one vise.  I wanted the ease of using the Gen 3 vise system and the stability of multiple clamps.  I conceived of a parallel linear track maintaining the alignment for two vises so I could use them in tandem on my large and long knives.  I shared my ideas and concepts with sharpening peers and confidants and was given this base rail suggestion.

    Here is what came of this:

    Multivise-Set-up-with-center-vise-less-carriage

    I had this idea that I could use the guide rods from two vises in an overlapping fashion similar to automobile windshield wipers.  The idea has proven to work better than hoped for.  The sharpening scratch patterns are easily overlapped and blended.

    Each vise is a complete WE130 Portable bought new from W.E. and adapted to mount on rolling ball bearing blocks that glide along parallel linear rails.  The two WE130 Protables are 100% functioning as designed by W.E. and work independently but identical to one another.  The rolling blocks have positioning set-screws to lock them where I need them.  The two vises are aligned relative to one another, then secured on their independent carriages.  The vises I then roll into position to best accommodate the knife I’m sharpening.  The two vise guide rods are set with a zeroed position angle cube for them both.

    Instead of needing to sharpen long or large knives in portions while supporting the opposite side.  Then move and re-clamp the knives to overlap and blend the sharpening scratch patterns, I now do this in dual vises.  I utilize an XL AAG to log their clamped position for repeated sharpenings.  I also have a metal ruler on the set-up’s base to record and log the vise’s positions for re-clamping.

    XLAAG-back-side-view

    I have found that the secure clamping afforded by the dual vises improves sharpening outcomes by eliminating knife flexing.  For knives that I had originally sharpened in the single vise set-up I now find I can more securely hold it in two vises.  I then have a choice to use the guide rod pair that better matches the knives sweet spot.  I have found this limits or almost eliminates the slight edge re-profiling often seen when knives are sharpened with the Wicked Edge for the first time.

    The rolling rails and the modular design allow me to use one vise alone.  Just like any other WE130 set-up.  I can roll on the second carriage and align it when I need two vises.  I have built a height adjustment capacity into one of the rolling vise carriage pairs.  This allows for accommodating the jaw heights for better clamping when knives need to be rotated with handles up or down to reach their “sweet spot” clamping positions.

    I incorporated a third rolling carriage that is vise-less.  This carriage has a square bar and functional guide rods adapted to achieve 0.00º guide rod angle settings to allow for thinning knives behind the edges or parallel refinishing of the knife sides.  If the knife edge is clamped horizontal as the vise-less carriage is rolled along under the blade the guide rod angle remains the same.  I am working on a W.E. paddle adapter with  forum member “airscapes” to hold the DMT Serrated knife sharpeners. I have included a photo illustrating this concept where it will address the issue of individually sharpening knife serration at the same repeated sharpening angle, one by one, as the carriage is rolled along under the knife.  I realize there are limitations where the rolling carriage impacts the clamping vises.  By re-arranging the vise positions and varying the knife’s clamping method I believe the serrations can be sharpened.

    DMT-serrated-knife-sharpener-on-rolling-carriage

    You’ll notice I have integrated and utilized the W.E. mods, the new stone stops, made by “airscapes”.  These stone stops are very helpful when utilizing multiple guide rod setups to prevent knife and edge damage.

    I also have incorporated the Micro-Angle Adjustment Mods built for me by “Eddosedges – NotSharpEnuff”.  These adjusters are utilizing a design originally conceived and assembled by TCMeyer, some time ago, and shared with the forum, then.   Once you use these helpful adapters it’s hard to do without them.  Especially when your messing with the angles on two, four or six guide rods.

    Big-Rig-Mult-Vise-Set-up

    Let me be clear that I build this set-up with full knowledge and understanding that any of my modifications and adaptations to the original W.E. design concepts may, could and/or will void their implied warranty.  I am fine with this and I want other Wicked Edge users attempting any modifications to their set-ups to be aware of this.   That they are undertaking it at their own risk!

    I have many more pictures I’ll be glad to post upon request.

    I am working on a newer similar set-up that will be easier to design and assemble.  I will share that when I can put it together.

     

    Marc
    (MarcH's Rack-Its)

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    #50808
    Brewbear
    Participant
    • Topics: 7
    • Replies: 168

    WOW! @MarcH, you sure know how to make this old dog drool! Absolutely mind blowing! Some day, when I’m retired and my better half will “allow” me some play time……aaahhh, it’s nice to dream! Great job, thank you for the pictures.

    1 user thanked author for this post.
    #50810
    Organic
    Participant
    • Topics: 17
    • Replies: 929

    That’s next level stuff there Marc! Bravo!

    1 user thanked author for this post.
    #50816
    Readheads
    Participant
    • Topics: 32
    • Replies: 308

    The king of mods !!

    1 user thanked author for this post.
    #50819
    Bill Kirkley
    Participant
    • Topics: 19
    • Replies: 97

    Nice job!  You might consider first clamping your blade in one vice, loosen the screws that mount the second vise, clamp the blade in the second vise and finally retighten the mounting screws of the second vise. If you don’t do this, if your vises aren’t perfectly aligned you may deflect the blade when you clamp it in the second vise.

    #50820
    MarcH
    Moderator
    • Topics: 74
    • Replies: 2733

    I do it similarly to your suggestion with a carpenter’s square:

    Then I’m not reaching and working around a sharp knife edge while aligning and squaring the vises up.

    Thanks Bill!

     

    Marc
    (MarcH's Rack-Its)

    #50829
    Pinkfloyd
    Participant
    • Topics: 22
    • Replies: 208

    That is insane! In a good way.

    Very nice

    1 user thanked author for this post.
    #53804
    Eric
    Participant
    • Topics: 5
    • Replies: 17

    you mention the RAM MOUNT that others are using. I have my Ram clamp and other Misc. hardware in the mail. Do you  have any suggestions for this Mod.

    Would I be better to start another post for this question? I’ll do that

    #53806
    Eric
    Participant
    • Topics: 5
    • Replies: 17

    MarcH,

    Would like to see more pics of how you have your serration stone mounted to the WE rod, please. TIA

    #53810
    45srbest
    Participant
    • Topics: 5
    • Replies: 22

    That is whats called extreme engineering! Love the concept Marc and it would indeed make it easier and more precise on my kitchen knives.

    #53811
    MarcH
    Moderator
    • Topics: 74
    • Replies: 2733

    MarcH, Would like to see more pics of how you have your serration stone mounted to the WE rod, please. TIA

    Eric here’s some photos.  The concept and actual adapter are a collaborative effort between Doug, forum participant “airscapes” and myself.  The 3D printed mounts, as designed, printer programmed and printed by Doug, secure a DMT Diamond Sharpener.  The adapters are then able to be mounted to W.E. handles.

    Serrated-Adapter-FrontSerrated-Sharpening-Adapter-side-view
    To use these adapters you need to be able to stay perpendicular to each and every individual serration and portion of the serration as you work across the knife edge along with having the capacity to match the sharpening angle of the serrations.

    Even with these adapters there are still many challenges.  Serrations vary very much in design and shape as many are proprietary to the knife makers.  These tapered DMT diamond stones only allow sharpening of the most basic uniform “u”shaped serrations.

    Using these DMT diamond stones, hand-held, on your W.E. clamped knives is probably the easiest way to go.

    Marc
    (MarcH's Rack-Its)

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    #54335
    000Robert
    Participant
    • Topics: 7
    • Replies: 404

    Wow! Nice job, Marc!

    #54568
    Modernflame
    Participant
    • Topics: 5
    • Replies: 35

    It’s…It’s…knife sharpening heaven. Please hold while I collect my chin from the floor.

    1 user thanked author for this post.
    #56894
    Regis
    Participant
    • Topics: 0
    • Replies: 3

    Hi Marc,

    Thx for the post, nice mod.

    I would like to build something similar, could you please send out some more pictures?

    Thx in advance

     

    #56995
    MarcH
    Moderator
    • Topics: 74
    • Replies: 2733

    Regis, this is simply a “concept design” project. An idea to overcome difficulties sharpening long or large knives which I experienced while using my W.E. setups.  It is simply two WE130 models used in tandem, one behind the other so both vises can clamp the same knife and be used on that same knife.

    How it’s actually engineered or constructed is not really the issue.  It can be done any number of ways with the same goals and results, to allow two WE130s to be positioned, and secured, while allowing adjustability and maintaining the alignment, one setup behind the other.  How to do this is up to the user/builder’s imagination and ingenuity.

    More pictures showing the way I did it won’t really be helpful.  How I did that first one seemed like a good idea at the time.  It does work as hoped and planned and quit well.  It checked all the boxes.  If I were to do another one today, I’d do the same thing differently.  Again, with the same needs and with the same goals in mind, I’d just be different.  An evolution in design from experiences.

    Marc
    (MarcH's Rack-Its)

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