I want to introduce and review this newest design made by forum member “airscapes”. It is an Adapter Cap for Non-Magnetic Mediums: Stones, Strops and Glass Lapping Plates.
“airscapes” and I collaborated on this new design concept after we decided something like this would be handy and helpful to have and use when sharpening with our WEPS devices. (“airscapes” is the maker of the popular “stone stops” some of us enjoy using and find so helpful.) I have been using and beta testing a prototype for a while now. It does what’s it’s expected to do, and well. It allows an easy and effective way to use our magnetic digital angle cubes to set the guide rod angles when we use non magnetic mediums like strops, lapping films, ceramic stones and whetstones. These mediums don’t allow us to attach our magnetic digital angle devices. To make use of the magnetic cube with non-magnetic sharpening and polishing mediums, that we use, we have to hold the angle cube in place and in flat contact with the paddle while trying to adjust the guide rod angles simultaneously. It sometimes proves to be a real juggling act. Certainly a lot of back and forth and double checking to get it precise.
The adapters simply hangs over the paddle that is slid down on the guide rod, while it is leaning and resting against the knife edge. These adapters have a steel plate that lays flat against the paddles opposite side’s surface, which is parallel to the side which we’re setting the angle for. The flexible strap holds the steel plate secure and flat to offset the pull from the weight of the magnetic digital cube attached magnetically to the adapter cap’s incorporated flat steel bar. Depending on which paddle and medium you are using, and what angle your setting the rods to using the adapter, you may or may not even need to use the strap. With the relatively thin and compressible leather strops I found the straps aren’t necessary. It frees up your hands to allow you to easily move the guide rod angle arms and make gross and micro-fine angle adjustments. These adapter caps fit and works well with any medium of any thickness whether very thin glass or very thick whetstones. As long as the two sides of the paddle are parallel the adapter is designed to work well to help you easily set your guide rod angles.
"airscapes’ is the hobby designer, 3D printer and producer of these Adapter Caps, (and the stone stops). I know he doesn’t have any ready to ship, yet, but he is gearing up for printing and production soon. I was anxious to show off this great helpful mod tool. If you have interest in owning and using this Non-Magnetic Stone Adapter Cap, contact “airscape” by PM.
Speaking for myself, I’d rather buy the whole kit. I’m saying this because my time is in short supply. I know it could get cumbersome to deal with but maybe having two groups would be an option?
Thanks Brewbear, and yes I will most likely offer several options. Single hanger with strap, with/or without bar and a double set which is not really needed since you have to remove the accessory to use the WE. No advantage in having a pair unless you have 2 angle cubes and 4 arms
I like to set up my two adapters on both stones to start. Then I just swap the cube from side to side. This lets me quickly double check my angles if I want to without having to remove the one adapter and swap it from side to side.
For me swapping out the stones as I progress through the grits, double checking guide rod angle settings and making micro-angle adjustments can be time consuming and tedious. When I’m past the initial coarse grits and profiling and I’m now doing the refining grits I like to get it going, By then I get into a rhythm. I like to keep on it and get it done. Any way I can expedite it is good.
You and a couple other folks! Today at lunch I will take my hanger to the post office with an address on the west cost and get shipping cost. After work I have to go to HD for some parts for a few other small projects I have on Saturdays To-Do list and will pick up some bar stock and get a few cut. May have time on Sunday to setup to fabricate the straps. If it all comes together I will post pricing for a first go round and email those of you who have sent me mail with requests.
I received my set, they look great. I haven’t had any time to use them but I can tell you all shipping is fast and the caps alone make it worth buying the set. I wish I know about the stops, They are first rate and, oh ,well, I guess I may have been among the first to get the caps (after MarcH). I will get around ordering another set of stops but for now, I have to run.
I received my strap in the mail, and it, and the stops are top shelf, and work well, thanks Doug. I now know what angle my strops are set at instead of guessing.
I had an issue earlier with my new adapter caps on 1200-grit ceramic. They’ve been working flawlessly but I noticed an extreme angle change when transitioning from scrubbing to stroking so I threw the adapter cap on it and then the angle cube. Everything looked good, I was going for a 24 degree bevel and it was dead nuts but as I inspected the setup more carefully, I saw an air gap at the bottom of the adapter between the plastic mold and the metal bar that the angle cube clamps down on. So I took pictures of my initial setup and then another after I clamped the bar down. I looked to see if this had been addressed already but didn’t see anything.
Richard the extra clamp at the bottom will probably overcome your issue.
You might try loosening up the adapter’s elastic strap. If it’s fastened too tight, it’ll raise/lift the steel bar off contact with the stone at the bottom. Just what you’re experiencing. The strap is meant to be used as loose as it can be fastened, simply to keep the adapter positioned and from tipping over to the side. You may be able to get by without even needing to use the strap.
Not to beat a dead horse but Marc, in your third picture (the one where the stone is left-leaning and your angle cube is mounted) there is a gap between the glass (?) and the metal bar. So assuming that the bar is perfectly straight, am I correct in thinking that your glass has a concave wear area? The bar is actually touching the glass at both the top and the bottom.
Hi Richard, the only gap I see appears to be under the cube between the bottom of the cube and the steel. There is no gap between the paddle and the steel in that picture
Got my stone stops and adapter today. Great products and quick shipping. I’m almost ready for my first sharpening experience with the WE. Need to round up some old test knives and improve my lighting in my little corner and I’ll be ready.
Richard, “airscapes” is correct. If you flip back to the first post that began this thread, or look at this included photo, you’ll see the shape of my red angle cube. It has a hollow or concaved center and only contacts the surface at the ends nearer to the corners.
