Eventually, straight-edge steel knives on planers and jointers will dull, and then the question becomes how to sharpen them. You could send your knives out for professional sharpening, or you can refresh their edges yourself with Shop Fox’s® new W1834 Universal Knife Grinder. Its sliding, clamping knife holder will accept knives up to 20-in. wide. The holder has an adjustable angle range of 20 to 70 degrees, which should suit the cutting angles of a wide range of blades.
This machine is powered by a 1/2hp totally enclosed, fan-cooled induction motor with shielded and sealed bearings for quiet, long life. The motor spins the tool’s 6-in.-dia., 120-grit aluminum oxide grinding wheel (type 5) at 3,500 rpm. The grinding wheel can also be raised and lowered. Direct-drive styling means there are no belts to slip or wear out. And, the W1834’s cast-iron base brings its total weight to 45 lbs., which should give the grinder a solid, low-vibration stance.
Shop Fox’s W1834 Universal Knife Grinder is available now. It has a suggested list price of $355 and is covered by Shop Fox’s two-year warranty.
