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Update:
I took two motors to the motor repair shop yesterday to have reversing switches installed. I also left my motor with the switch already installed as a guide. I presently do not have a belt grinder for a few days, an uncomfortable feeling.
Ken
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05-02-2018, 10:59 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-02-2018, 11:00 PM by bruin.)
Ken,
Yes, you went through quite a journey on your conversions! Not only cost, but time and hassle I imagine. Your summary is excellent and the best I've seen for a budget Viel setup.
For my Viel:
- S-5 without motor, $80 (Lee Valley)
- Baldor M3464, $235 (Williamson Electric)
- KBAC-24D, $170 (ebay)
- KB reverse and AC switches, $26 (ebay)
Add another $20-30 for cabling and hardware, and I've spent around $540 before belts. I know that's a lot for some guys starting out and getting close to "serious" grinder money. Oh well, I'm not the smartest guy when it comes to sticking to a budget  .
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To bring everyone up tp date, my Kally is up and running with the variable speed motor (and one terrific platen from Mark Reich). My Viel was also functional, however, with the larger drive pulley. I needed to make a photo with the larger drive pulley. For the long run, I wanted the smaller pulley (and lower minimum speed) installed. When I got everything back together, I realized that I had removed the troublesome rubber feet. I found a two pack of Soft Touch Gripper Blankets (two sheets 4x6”) These are adhesive backed rubber furniture gripper feet. I cut one sheet in quarters and applied them to the bottom of the Viel.
With the reversing switch, Steve emailed me that he plans to add one with his conversion. Steve has a degree in Electrical Engineering. Hopefully he will offer much better advice than I could provide.
One other surprising minor success: I have the scissors jig for the Viel. I had a custom part machined to be able to use the Wolff scissors holder. The adaptor was not properly reamed. I could tap it on with a hammer, but not remove it. This meant that I could not use the Viel scissors holder (second model, improved).
Several years ago I purchased an electric heat gun. I thought I would try heating the collar. Like magic, it loosened.
The collar has two threaded holes in the end which stuck. I suspect a ream in the shaft hole will make quick work of the problem and I will be able to use both scissors holders. It has been a good day.
Ken
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Sounds like you are rocking and rolling Ken with two machines. I sharpen edge trailing with my Kally and I understand from others that the Viel is edge leading. Do you think that there are difference or advantages with the two methods?
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Bud,
Good question! to be honest, I don't know. Before I got involved with belt grinders, I worked with the Tormek. ((I still do,) The Tormek works in either direction. I had just started using my Viel for sharpening (scissors) when I became involved in converting the Viel and later the Kally. After too many disassemblings and reassemblings, I finally have both functioning again. As part of the conversion, I added reversing switches to both. Changing direction of the motor is easy. Just flip two leads in the control box. However, I wanted to be able to easily switch back and forth.
I placed my reversing switches on the the opposite side of the control box from the on-off and variable speed switches. Some more experienced users than me think the reversing switch is unnecessary. I like the convenience.
Ken
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There really isn't any difference between the Kally and Viel that would make either one more or less usable in reverse, except that it seems like more people use the Viel horizontally. Edge leading would be more accurate running horizontally, because you can see the space between the spine of the knife and the belt more easily.
It's just a personal preference. Not many people sharpen edge leading on belts, so not many people would really need reverse. Since I only run Kallys vertically, edge trailing, I haven't even thought about reverse.
Reversing switches are usually inexpensive and easy to install, and they can come in handy once in a while for most people. My 2x72s all have reverse, but even in knife making I use it infrequently. Most often I simply use it to clean the belt better.
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While you more scientific, technical people have been calculating bevel angles in minutes and seconds, and sharpening to subatomic levels, I have been puttering around in my shop. My grandson made a raspberry pi NES case. (If you are not sure exactly what that is, neither do I.) He printed the inside parts on his 3D printer. The HDMI plug was too large to fit into the slot. The Viel set on dead slow made an easy job of thinning the plastic plug. Without the variable speed motor, too much heat would have been generated.
My collection of metal working files let me fit the rest of the parts.
My variable speed belt grinders have become go to tools for many jobs.
Ken
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Whatever you are doing Ken it's always good to read your posts and learn about your projects. 3D printers are over my head but it's good to learn about them.
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Bud,
Much of 3D printing is beyond me, too. Fortunately, I have two invaluable resources: a resident twelve year old and an ipad. I am amazed by what young people can quickly learn. And, to be completely honest, I am also amazed by what an old carmudgeon like me can learn with concentration and good instruction. There is an incredible amount of information available online and in books.
Somewhat related, It finally dawned on me why I feel uncomfortable in electronics stores. I don't know the brands. I have over fifty years of using tools and photographic equipment. Many of my tools go back further than that. I feel quite comfortable buying an Estwing hammer; Channelocks; or Starrett rules. With tools and photo equipment, my preferences are carefully honed with years of experience. With electronic equipment, I do not have that long familiarity with quality brands.
Related to that, I enjoy using old tools. My well tuned 1891 vintage Stanley jack plane and 1931 Delta table saw are a joy to use. My Tiltall tripod dates from 1979. Most of my film photo gear was several decades old. While I am amazed by the rapid advances in computer related equipment, I find the equally rapid obsolescense discouraging.
Old dogs can learn new tricks, just not so many and so quickly. 
Ken
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