splitter blade sharpening

[keplerts]

I think Weaver Leather has a sharpening service.  Give them a call.

[YinTx]

On 2/18/2018 at 8:53 AM, bruce johnson said:

A few of these don't have enough material left to salvage the blade.

Thanks for the details on what to look for.  Next time I pull my blade, I'll take a look.  I noted the one time I had it out, that the bottom of it had some lines scored in it.  I may try to lap those out, and I may follow your advice and get a new blade for a spare backup.  Will any blade that fits a Landis do, or should I be looking for new old stock, new stock, etc?

YinTx

[stiffbackjack]

Thanks everyone for your input.I could not find anyone in Oklahoma that could sharpen the blade.I decided to try to sharpen the blade myself.The blade had a small nick in corner and looked like someone had used a file on it.I have DMT plates,x course.course,fine,x fine and hard ark stones.I figure if I messed it up I havn't lost much.So I sharpened the blade.It has taken a couple hours but,the edge is coming back nicely.About 95% of file marks are gone. I'll be putting the blade back in splitter this weekend.I'll let everyone know how it works out,Jack

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Webicons]

On 2/20/2018 at 0:35 AM, YinTx said:

Will any blade that fits a Landis do, or should I be looking for new old stock, new stock, etc?

YinTx

The blade specifications are the same for the American LS440 and the Landis P30 however the tolerances for these units weren’t the greatest. 

Sometimes the replacement blades (from Pilgrim) are a perfect fit and sometimes they take a little modification to dial it in perfectly.  I struggled for a bit but was able to get it right by notching the corners to bring the blade closer to the roller. 

Its helpful to get a set of feeler gauges to set everything including the roller height, blade setback, etc. 

[YinTx]

1 hour ago, Webicons said:

Sometimes the replacement blades (from Pilgrim) are a perfect fit

Thank you for that info.  Are the blades from Pilgrim OEM, or otherwise?  My Landis is a Model D.  Thanks,

YinTx

[stiffbackjack]

Thanks for the information Webicons.After 40 years as a diesel machanic feeler I have plenty of.Does yours split clean after putting new blade? Jack

[Webicons]

2 hours ago, YinTx said:

Are the blades from Pilgrim OEM, or otherwise? 

The blades are not OEM but are of excellent quality. The hollow grind is machined, perfectly square and arrives sharp.  

I don’t recall the person I spoke with but he definitely knew what he was talking about and a solid guy.  

[Webicons]

2 hours ago, stiffbackjack said:

Does yours split clean after putting new blade? 

Yes.  After I fiddled with it for a few days I was able to split veg tan easily and cleanly.  After it was dialed in I was also able to split floppy chrome tan as well. 

[YinTx]

Thanks, Webicons.  I think a sharpening service is a worthwhile expense if you don't have the equipment and experience to do them correctly.  If mine doesn't do well after I touch it up, I'll take advantage of it.  Possibly a minor touch up as a DIY would be ok, I only found one video on it.  Lots for doing the woodworking planes, which is good.  here is the one splitter sharpening video I saw that seemed worthwhile.  Although I cringe at flattening the cutting edge like they do, but I understand why they do it (to make sure there is a true straight edge).  Just feels painful for the blade and the stone!

YinTx

[YinTx]

Okay, What the H@($% did they make those old blades out of?????  I noted a few small light gouges on the bottom of mine, and thought  "I'll just touch it up some."

After 2 hours on the DIAMOND hone, I managed to pull up the tiniest of burrs.  My arms are killin me!  However, after another 30 minutes working through the stones, and another 10 minutes on the strop, this thing will scare the wind, split it from East to West no problem.  I put a scrap piece through, didn't hear a sound, thought I had it set wrong, but no, a beautiful split!

And I never did work the marks out of the backside.  

YinTx