This may seem like an odd place to put this, but I have had a number of requests for
information on using bolts and hold-downs with the white melamine particle core
board. Since I plan to use this sharpener's mounting tabs, this is as good a
place as any to show what I do.
The Work Sharp machine itself is quite compact and maybe best stored on the
shelf and without this base that we will make. It is easy to remove so when we have a
chance to use it, we can decide. For now though, a base it is.
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I have
used these threaded fasteners with success. The first is the brass threaded insert (they
are available another metals but have only used the brass.. As you can see (photos
courtesy of McFeeley Screws.), the inside is threaded with the bolt size , ex. 3/8" -
16. To install, you drill the recommended hole and either use a flat head screw driver or
their special insert tool. I find these work well but be sure to drill exactly the right
size external hole and use the insert tool if you can. Using a screwdriver can start the
insert off crookedly.
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This view is of a T-nut (from Rockler website). You have to drill a hole for the bolt and
a slightly larger one for the fastener. A third wide hole allows the head to be
countersunk. They are inexpensive and available everywhere. You do have to hammer the
T-nut in so that the teeth can grab hold. I have had some problems with doing this in the
particle core boards.
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` In
working with MDF, particle core board and wood, I have come to like Heli-coil
fasteners. They look like wire and that is what they are — very strong wire that is
shaped to standard thread sizes.
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Rather than to
go into how-to use Heli-coils at this time, Elena and I will carry on with the startup of
the WorkSharp. I will add a page or to on the Heli-coil in a couple of weeks.
Here, Elena is fastening the WorkSharp down to the base we have made.
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Now,
back to the WorkSharp's setup instructions. Elena uses Alcohol to clean the two glass
plates that come with the kit.
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The kit
includes two round disks of heavy 1/2" plate glass. These will hold the pressure
sensitive sandpaper. Elena is cleaning the disks so that the sandpaper will stick better.
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This will
give you a better idea on how the WorkSharp works. The two glass disks hold four grits of
sandpaper. Here are the disks that make up the sharpener: 120, 400, 1000, and 3600.
For those of you who have used the ScarySharp method, you will know that this range covers
the sharpening/honing task pretty well.
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Wouldn't
you know it, the hardest task of the installation is to remove the acetate backing from
the abrasive disk.
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The
instructions make this step very clear. She curves the disc so that she can center the
hole over the glass hole without the other parts of the pressure sensitive paper sticking
first.
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