I did push through that frustration. Just took waking up to a new day.
I tried three combinations of the USB/BGM/FVB to find one that would work to get the USB bar high enough to let most of the Tormek knife jig/collar to clear the frame. Note the stock platen is still there. The USB is in its closest to the belt and lowest above the frame position. It is not useable for any Tormek jigs in that position.
As pointed out in a previous post, mounting the USB this way puts the contact point of the knife edge (using 139mm projection) above the stock platen. So, I got out some 1" square steel tubing and made a longer platen. It is far more rigid as well, which pleases me.
I was able to sharpen a junker knife to 14º but that was as small of an angle as would work without something more interfering with the frame. This did require replacing the locking knob with a 6mm set screw and still the end of the jaw width adjusting screw and even the head of the adjusting screw made contact with the belt. This will ultimately NOT be the final configuration, at least for use of the Tormek knife jigs.
The above knife is not all that impressive. But,... it did start out as a serrated knife with a 1/2" long bolster, all of which were sanded away quite easily. So, the Viel has proven its usefulness this far. I think what it will take is to put the sander on its face (of the frame), so the top pulley is closest and the belt is running away. The sander would need to be secured to a work surface, a piece of plywood. Then, mount the USB/BGM/FVB in front of the pulley so the "rear workings" of the jigs are clear of the pulley. This would make it very similar to the Tormek sharpening edge trailing. I discussed this with Ken S. and we both think that putting the sander frame up on an incline would get the knife/jig level so you could see what his happening at the edge/belt interface better. I have enough 1" square steel tubing to make a platen for that setup, so I don't have to pirate the one on the front.
In the meantime, I wanted to make a Herman Trivilino (HT) style platform jig, albeit, 1" wide. I had a section of the scissors jig platform left over from making one for the 2" Tormek wheels, which I knew would come in handy someday. This day, it got used for the belt sander HT platform. Worked very well, able to get the angle as low as 9º. I don't sharpen anything at that shallow of an angle, but at least the jig will allow it.
I think there is hope for this Viel, as far as using it as the precursor for putting bevels back on severely dull edges using Tormek knife jigs. It definitely will work for repairing tips, removing bolsters, flattening edges, etc., that don't necessarily rely on jigs but can be done using the Tormek knife jigs. It will NOT, by any means, replace or suplant the Tormek, as the Tormek is the foundation on which all of the actual sharpening will take place. I am, however, hoping the Viel will take the place of the Norton 3x 8" grindstone I've been using on the Tormek for the purpose of putting bevels back on severely dull edges.
It is working well enough that I am going to take my entire Tormek kit along on a two-stop week long road trip to Colorado, to attend a bamboo fly rod makers gathering in the Rockies. These guys dull plane blades fast, planing bamboo. I am sure they all have ways of sharpening their plane blades and probably knives as well. I know of one who uses the Work Sharp. It will be interesting to see what they think of the Tormek.
Rick
