Wicked Edge Gen 3 Pro, 2017 questions
- This topic has 15 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 07/12/2017 at 5:12 pm by
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Hi Mark:
The base of the Gen 3 Pro is quite heavy. I’ve done maybe 60 knives on mine and it never occurred to me that the rig needed a more stable platform.
To mount it on a base plate, you’d have to drill a few holes. Depending on the method you use, you might have (or want) to tap a few holes.
I actually installed a spacer between the vise and the base, with the purpose of increasing the amount of stone length that could be used on narrow bladed knives. I use the rig on the same table I used with my Gen 1 rig and I don’t have a problem with the height. In fact, I think the added height is an advantage for me because I see the edge better. That having been said, I don’t know what your physical limitations would be. For you, maybe too high. The base without the storage shelves would seem to be your best bet.
My old LAA doesn’t fit because the Gen 3 vise is wider. As stated elsewhere on the forum, you’d have to remove the ears which centered the LAA onto the old vises. Not having done that yet, I don’t know if you’d also have to reduce the width of the tab so it would fit between the corner pads on the vise.
The 1/4″ jaws were made specifically for the Gen 3 vise, which is the same for the Pro.
My scissor attachment fits perfectly between the corner pads in the Gen 3 vise.
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I will second tcmeyer’s comments about stability. The bottom plate has rubber feet and it also weighs several pounds. I have never had the sharpener move without intending for it to do so. You might want to wait on purchasing the quarter inch jaws since they will be issuing re-designed ones that feature the 2017 design changes. The old ones should work just fine, but they don’t have the split jaw or the improved depth key holes.
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That’s correct. We’re in the process of designing a conversion kit to make it easy to remove the shelves and attach the top plate to the bottom plate. The shelves will get a one-piece, bent sheet metal bottom, back and partial top, along with some rubber feet. The combined weight of the vise, degree plate, angle setting mechanisms, top plate and bottom plate is plenty to hold everything stable and you’ll still have the shelving system, just off to the side, for storing your stones.
-Clay
Thank you. As configured currently, is it difficult to remove the shelving unit on the 2017 Gen 3 Pro? What’s the process involve?
It’s pretty easy – first scribe a line on the Lexan Back Plate with a sharp knife, just under the black Top Plate. It’s easiest to do this by reaching inside the shelves. The reason for the line is to identify where you’re going to cut the Back Plate. Remove the Back Plate and carefully cut it along the scribed line. I recommend using thin, fine blade on a jig-saw. Set the two pieces aside. Next, remove screws that hold the black Top Plate onto the shelving uprights and set the top section aside. Then remove the screws that hold the bottom plate to the shelving uprights. The holes for the two plates line up so you can set your top half onto the bottom plate. Part of the new conversion kit will include custom nuts that fit in the counter-bores on the bottom plate. Until those are ready, double sided tape works great for attaching the top plate to the bottom plate. You can use your top screw to help align the plates when sticking them together. Attach the smaller, top half of the Back Plate to the black Top Plate.
* Optionally, you can use some double sided tape to attach the remaining portion of the Back Plate to the shelving uprights. Attach some rubber feet to the bottom of the shelving uprights. Nylon 1/4-20 screws also work well as feet and can be screwed into the bottom of the shelving uprights. You can make the assembly more stable by putting a 1/8″ piece of Plexiglass on the bottom. Cut it to fit and then drill holes to align with the holes in the bottom of the shelving uprights. Hold it in place with the nylon screws that also double as feet.
-Clay
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