Sharpening Table

[P5man 0]

In the shop that I work in, we've been having problems keeping our table slick for more than week. We have a three station blademaster with the metal table-top.

I've already tried blademaster's slick-it product and changing the jig pads.

do any of the sharpening masters know any tricks for getting it to stay slick and smooth? B)

[canoebears 0]

AL 21 used to sell graphite powder, try that.

[joshy207 15]

What's happening to your table that's making it sticky? If you're doing any kind of sharpening volume, you should be applying Slick-It at least once a week.

You can always try spraying Windex or something else to cut any oil/grease that's getting on the table. Wipe the table completely dry right away. Spray the slick-it, let it mostly dry, then wipe it off completely--basically buff the table with soft paper towel or cloth. Make sure you keep the table clean during the week, brush off any sharpening and wheel dust. Try not to touch the table with your fingers, and try to keep the felt pads as clean and debris-free as possible. The more you take care of your machine, the more it'll take care of you.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

Here we go - it's overkill, but the holder can go from one end of the table with ease.

Get some water-based stainless steel cleaner. It will strip whatever was on there. Spray the table, then wipe off. Then spray some Gel-Gloss (it's an acrylic cleaner in a can, it's quite foamy) and wipe off (most likely gonna have to wipe it off twice.

Then use your Slick-It or TefTop (or both if you have both). Dry, then buff. Then get some graphite powder and sprinkle it on there. Wipe that off and it'll be the fastest table you've ever sharpened on.

[P5man 0]

Wipe the table completely dry right away. Spray the slick-it, let it mostly dry, then wipe it off completely--basically buff the table with soft paper towel or cloth. Make sure you keep the table clean during the week, brush off any sharpening and wheel dust. Try not to touch the table with your fingers, and try to keep the felt pads as clean and debris-free as possible. The more you take care of your machine, the more it'll take care of you.

That's what we normally do. We've just been having problems in the last few months.

Here we go - it's overkill, but the holder can go from one end of the table with ease.

Get some water-based stainless steel cleaner. It will strip whatever was on there. Spray the table, then wipe off. Then spray some Gel-Gloss (it's an acrylic cleaner in a can, it's quite foamy) and wipe off (most likely gonna have to wipe it off twice.

Then use your Slick-It or TefTop (or both if you have both). Dry, then buff. Then get some graphite powder and sprinkle it on there. Wipe that off and it'll be the fastest table you've ever sharpened on.

Where do you get the gel-gloss/graphite powder? Local hardware store?

[VakarLajos 5]

Gonna try what JR suggested as well. We've used Slick-It and I didn't like the results. WD-40 is the best thing I've come across in my limited sampling.

[d_bruno 0]

what i do after i fully clean the top is i wax my table with turtle wax. just basic turtle wax nothin special. works wonders on the blademaster table.

[english15x 3]

usually slick-it does the trick round here.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

If you don't strip the table, you're just piling on more gunk. Stay away from oil-based stuff like WD40. However, if you have to strip it further, you can use WD40 and fine-grit sandpaper to buff it, but that's an once-in-a-while thing. Might as well just throw sharpening oil on the table if that's what you want.

Gel-Gloss at a local hardware store, it's in a pink can. Will also clean the lexan hood. Graphite powder can be found at a hardware store, same stuff they put in locks.

I'm telling ya, flick of the wrist and it damn near falls off the table.

I'll shoot a video tomorrow and post it so you guys can check it out.

[Buzz_LightBeer 975]

Turtle wax or visor clear in a pinch

[VakarLajos 5]

Is there anything you can get at a local hardware store (mine is Home Depot) that would be similar to TefTop or Slick-It? I'm gonna stop by there tomorrow and get some of this stuff. Not sure about the graphite powder as it doesn't show up on either HomeDepot.com or Lowes.com

[lb33knight 0]

Is there anything you can get at a local hardware store (mine is Home Depot) that would be similar to TefTop or Slick-It? I'm gonna stop by there tomorrow and get some of this stuff. Not sure about the graphite powder as it doesn't show up on either HomeDepot.com or Lowes.com

Go to the key cutting counter and they can help you with the graphite.

[VakarLajos 5]

thanks.

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

water based stuff to get the gunk off, eh? I would have suggested getting an organic solvent, like an alcohol.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

It's stainless steel cleaner. The water-based version doesn't leave the surface greasy as the oil-based ones do. The tables are either buffed or treated from factory.

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

oh, i see, the other option was oil based. makes sense, now.

[Gummer12 134]

we USED to use a regular bar of soap on the blade for our last pass, and the shavings would slow the table down like nothing else...we used Betco's Stainless steel polish to clean it back up...but since I've talked everyone into using Blademaster's oil and this other stuff my co-worker wanted to try, kinda like a chunk of clay, our table's been pretty consistent. Every now and again we'll use the polish, and use a steel brush to clean the felt, and it slicks it right back up....but I'll definitely look into JR's suggestion next time I get into HD. For as many hacks that we've had working throughout the years, I'd say we've kept our machine in pretty tip top condition. Can't wait to see what these suggestions will do.

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

Yeah, and the water-based is a bitch to find too.

Luckily, there is a janitorial supply joint right next to the rink that gives me a discount because the rink buys their stuff there.

[dundeestars1 0]

when my surface gets sticky i use furnature polish that works good

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

Lemony fresh!

[Wolfpack_1986 154]

JR's mom must be the pinesol lady

[VakarLajos 5]

Lemony fresh!

thanks JR

[Gummer12 134]

Where do you get TefTop? I can't find it online

[JR Boucicaut 3810]

From Blackstone

[english15x 3]

From Blackstone

got any tips on how to keep the whole sharpener clean. we only use a shopvac and it seems that the particles of the stone never goes away.