Robert Sorby Pro Edge System

[Aden30mm]

I'm currently considering buying a Sorby Pro Edge system.

I have one concern that forum members who use the Sorby Pro Edge System may be able to assist.

So can the Pro Edge cut a 'Ellsworth' grind on the 1/2inch bowl gouge?

Regards

Aden

 

[CHJ]

I believe that you need the additional length pivot piece with additional holes to provide adequate clearance.

 

[SteveF]

with the long grind attachment i replicated \ sharpened my crown PM ellesworth within about 10 minutes after unpacking the pro edge

so yes

Steve

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

There y' go Aden...excellent

 

[Aden30mm]

Thanks guys, one on my Christmas list now.

Rgs

Aden

 

[Aden30mm]

Bad News: Santa can't deliver for Christmas.

Good News its coming next week

Yippee

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

will you report back when you've tried it Aden because (as you know) its on my list too and your feedback would be valuable.

Thanks

 

[Duncan A]

The Sorby forum has an interesting thread on this subject:

http://robert-sorby.freeforums.net/thre ... inding-jig

Duncan

 

[CHJ]

Must admit having acquired a bowl gouge steel with the Ellsworth style long grind and sorted my jig settings to replicate it a couple of years ago at least, I am after many months of it sitting in the rack getting very little use on my style of turnings slowly reverting it back to my favourite profile with each sharpening.

I've seen folks hogging cores out of green bowl blanks with draw cuts and the like and sliding along on a sheer scrape on the outside but for me a moments inattention with such a long cutting edge creates a very real prospect of an unwanted catch as it twists the tool in my hands.

 

[duncanh]

When one of our long serving club members comes in to do a talk on tools and brings his grinding gear for a demo he usually will not put a long grind onto a novice's bowl gouge for that reason - way too catchy if you don't know what you're doing. I can't say I particularly agree with it as I used one when I started out and didn't have too many problems. If you do have the odd catch or 2 you soon learn what you did wrong

 

[Aden30mm]

Bob no problem I post my finding on the Pro Edge after I set it up.

I acquired a Ellsworth bowl gouge a few weeks ago and have been mighty impressed with it. The rate it cuts out wood is impressive, but it also allows for fine cuts under control. Its early days, but I am optimistic with its use.

 

[Willum]

If I may digress, how long are the belts for the Pro Edge , can they be used on any other belt sander, thanks .

 

[woodpig]

I don't believe it's a common size Willum but they may fit some of those cheap grinder/belt sander machines that Draper/Aldi/Lidl sell?

 

[paulm]

50mm x 780mm are the size for the sorby belts, don't think they will fit anything else except possibly small cheap hand held belt sanders but not sure about that.

Cheers, Paul

 

[duncanh]

I expect that the belts are an unusual size specifically so they don't fit another machine, making sure you buy the pro edge. Or maybe I'm just too cynical

 

[Grahamshed]

I expect that the belts are an usual size specifically so they don't fit another machine, making sure you buy the pro edge. Or maybe I'm just too cynical

You may be right but while the pro edge may be the only machine to take that size belt there are belts for it made by other companies. Toolpost in Didcot stock them and I think there are others as well.

 

[Jacob]

I expect that the belts are an unusual size specifically so they don't fit another machine, making sure you buy the pro edge. Or maybe I'm just too cynical

If you can find a Picador belt linisher the Sorby belts will fit. No doubt many other machines too. No need to be cynical!
I sold Picador a bit back and with hindsight I should have kept it as it was a good alternative to the Sorby.

 

[Willum]

Many thanks, just hoped it could be a two birds with one stone job if I got one . Stick with the Tormek and the Sheppach seems to be the sensible thing.

 

[woodpig]

As a point of interest this is my Record Power BDS250. I liked the look of the Sorby system but I already had the BDS250 so I modified it. The auxiliary platten is 50mm wide so I split 150mm wide belts into three for tool sharpening. I can easily still use full width belts for wood shaping etc but care has to be taken to remove all wood dust before going back to sharpening duties as there is a fire risk.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

I expect that the belts are an usual size specifically so they don't fit another machine, making sure you buy the pro edge. Or maybe I'm just too cynical

You may be right but while the pro edge may be the only machine to take that size belt there are belts for it made by other companies. Toolpost in Didcot stock them and I think there are others as well.

Toolpost stock 2 different belts which fit the PE, the Sorby originals (expensive) or a copy brand (cheaper). I've used both and the cheaper brand is pretty good. Further, you can have the correct size made by an abrasive specialist in Andover called BND Abrasives (http://www.bndabrasives.co.uk/)

They are the cheapest of all and perfectly good quality. One snag is they have a minimum order size so I tend to split mine with a friend off this very forum, we buy what we need and split the bill.

Lastly (particularly with reference to the very inventive conversion of the Record Power sanding station). Sorby claim their belts are the safest because the join point is woven rather than just overlapped and glued. This reduces the risk of the edge catching and ripping the belt at high speed (they say) and it's how they justify their higher price. Personally, I've not had any problem with the cheaper, non woven variety and I have taken a fair amount of steel off using them. But attitudes to workshop risk are better handled by the individual than anyone preaching in my view. A cynic might say that, much like ink cartridge consumables, once you've invested in the technology, you're on the proprietary treadmill! But not being a cynic....I won't!