Viel Conversion, Final Version

[Ken C]

Ken C,

Welcome to the BESS exchange.

I use the Standard Ergo clamp from Wolff. Here is a link:

https://www.wolffindustries.com/products...clamp.html

Before you write off the Viel clamp, you should know that there are two versions. I have heard that the older, original Viel scissors clamp had difficulties. I believe the gentleman who recommended the Wolff clamp to me had the older Viel clamp. The recommendation was made in good faith. However, the redesigned Viel clamp works very well.

Thank you very much, Ken S, for your informative post.

I do have the Viel second gen clamp but I have not found an easy way to adjust and set the angle.  I have GREAT difficulty with the plastic hand-wheel adjusting clamping pressure--i.e., many times as I tighten the hand-wheel the clamp slips and I loose the angle I want.  I've tried brass washers in lieu of the steel washer that Viel provided.  I've tried nylon washers as well.  The clamp holding a scissor blade is no problem--easy to adjust and set.  It's the angle adjusting clamp that is so difficult.

I've previously thought that a Wolff (or another similar) clamp might be a solution and was just delighted to find this group and learn that you had done this.  I'll purchase a Wolff clamp and find a local machinist to marry the parts.

I'm a retired local "sharpener" in the area where I live (Texas Hill Country).  Primarily I sharpen kitchen cutlery with a RealSharp Machine fabricated by Don Collins, Forsyth, MO.  Link below.  I converted it from using 30" belts to 42" belts which I also use on my Viel to sharpen scissors (no convex salon scissors) and some hand held garden tools.  I exclusively use 1" X 42" 3M Trizact belts on both machines.  Cost is a bit more per each but they last and last and last.

Converting my Viel to variable speed will be a blessings for those scissor tips as a much slower speed will be an asset to keep from burning tips.  I learned the hard way a few years ago to develop a "touch" to keep this from happening at the speed the Viel operates.  I'll be ordering some "mylar film" belts in the near future and I may have a go at some of those convex salon shears that I've shied away from in the past.  Those "flat-hone" convex scissor sharpening machines are expensive and I'm not interested in going from salon to salon chasing convex scissors.  I have a drop-off, pick-up and return location for the cutlery, etc., that I service which has worked well for me now for recent years.

THANK YOU again for your information retarding the Wolff clamp and your experience with it.

Sincerely,
Ken C

http://realsharpllc.com/