I have a Pro Pack 2 that has a black base that is about 1 1/4" thick and very heavy. I’m wondering what the base material is, as I would like to machine out a small portion of the underside, in order to accommodate some lites? I’m suspecting it’s quartz. If it is, can the quartz be machined with carbide wood working router bits?
Marc, I don’t think it is aluminum or granite. It is charcoal in color, with color thru and thru. I believe it seems softer than granite.
Just found out, even if it’s quartz, I’ll need diamond bits.
Perhaps you have the Paperstone base? https://www.gpknives.com/wicked-edge-paperstone-base-we022.html
If so I believe you are in luck as carbide bits should work.
I’ve tried driving drywall screws into my paper stone base. No such luck - they snap off after about three turns, even with pilot holes, which are an S. O. B. to drill. Tuff stuff. Not sure how it’d machine with a router.
Paperstone is just a paper-resin composite, and should machine like Micarta. From https://paperstoneproducts.net/wordpress/installing/
Here’s a pic of the base. I scratched it and the color is thru and thru.
Oops. Here’s the pic…
That looks like Paperstone to me.
Well, thanks for all the help with the base. I was confused, as WE was saying that it had to be either aluminum or quartz. I finally emailed a pic of my base and they confirmed it was in fact, paper stone.
Woodworking bits worked perfectly on it with no issues. I’ve include a pic of the cuts on the underside and the lites clipped onto the recesses.
Link to where you got those lights please! I want!! My base is a 2x12 will be a cake walk to install!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00INK4GRC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I got similar lights first that were 3W, but found they weren’t bright enough. I also tried some that were adjustable warm, medium and daylight, but again, not quite bright enough. These lights are daylight color temp and plenty bright enough. Once positioned, they really highlight the scratch pattern.
Thanks!
That’s a nice modification.
Thanks. Messed around for months trying to find the right mounting situation for these lights. I tried the sides of the tables, wood bases..but for me, this solution works best.
Here’s another worthy light solution. I use this LED light with the weighted base. The weighted base allows me to place it anywhere I choose to. It is a costly lighting solution but it works very well and can be positioned and aligned directly over the knife clamped for sharpening. It can be positioned so it doesn’t shine in my eyes. It illuminates both sides of the knife with-out the need to move or direct the the light beam. It does not give off heat.
Ya…its such a nice task light, I now have 5 of them. One is on a large floor drill press, another on a small benchtop DP setup for a specific operation, 3rd is on a small bench for clock repairs and the 2 on the WE. I have good shop lites, but with my old eyes, the extra lighting makes a big difference.