Robert Sorby ProEdge - Diamond belt

[Jamie Copeland]

Hi

Do any of you folks use a diamond belt on the Robert Sorby ProEdge sharpening system? I'm wondering if it provides value for money than using several other belts.

Cheers

Jamie

 

[marcros]

what are you wanting to sharpen, in terms of steel.

I have only had my proedge a week or two, but I stocked up on belts from bnd abrasives at the same time as buying it. Given that the ceramic and zirconium belts are about £2.50 including VAT and delivery and the trizact about £4 (as long as you buy a few), I think that you would struggle to justify the diamond unless it was some exotic steel that the others wouldn't touch.

Obviously I cant judge the longevity of the belts yet, but I think I would rather replace the cheap ones when worn out. I wouldnt, on recommendation, bother with the aluminium oxide ones, given the price of the better alternatives above.

 

[Jamie Copeland]

It's just hss Woodturning tools I'll be sharpening regularly.

 

[marcros]

i would still with the ceramic and zirconium, but buy them from bnd abrasives rather than individually from the sorby stockists.

I have tried out the trizact this afternoon, but my coarsest is equivalent to 600 grit, so not really that useful for turning. I tried it on a scraper and it leaves a nice finish, although I bought it for bench tools and kitchen knives. I do wonder whether in the coarser grits whether it might be good for turning, but buying 6 at a time is a lot of investment to save literally a few quid over the cheaper ceramic ones.

 

[nicguthrie]

Marcros, I'm seriously considering copying you and buying a Sorby Pro-Edge, as my WorkSharp just struggles too hard with heavier gauge gouges being reshaped and such. (Though I still think it rules for smaller blades and carving tools etc.)

I do use quite a few tungsten tips and Ti coated bits and I'm curious, do any of the belts available, short of the diamond one, have the potential to touch these up when they're a bit worn? I'm not talking reshaping, just dressing an edge back to condition.

Nic.

 

[marcros]

I am sorry, I am not experienced enough to know. Trizact maybe- it is a 3m product so you may find something online. I have some surplus belts if you do find it will work. I am just going on what the sorby site says.

I don't have anything carbide to try it on. Sorby do a bit holder for carbide bits so I would think that something would touch them.

 

[nicguthrie]

No problem, even when I swap, I'll likely just stick to hand honing those on a small diamond stone.

Doesn't seem worth risking stripping a belt of abrasives, in order to save/sort a tip that costs not much more.

And no way am I paying over half the value of the machine for a diamond belt, unless I hear that they are the most incredibly amazing sharpener in all the history of mankind