I have noticed that the center of the grinding rock on my Catsclaw does not align with the center of my band. The wheel is a little to the inboard side as shown in the picture. I was sharpening some factory bands today and noticed that since the rock isn't centered, it grinds heavier on the inside teeth and lighter on the outside teeth, putting a slight slant on the edge. Also, the set corner of the inside tooth gets sharper faster, generally one or two passes quicker, than the set corner of my outside tooth. So I'm having to take extra passes to grind more material off the band to get the outside set tooth sharp. If I take a very light pass on a factory band, it's clearly takes material off the inside edge of the gullet, while not touching the outside edge of the gullet. It's got a little sticker saying its "Factory Adjusted, Do Not Adjust Motor" so is this normal, or should I try to adjust the center of the rock to the band?(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/21488/Sharpenerj~0.jpg)
Looking forward to more on this as I have a catclaw also.
I should have put his in the sawmill forum, for a little more visibility.
Check with @customsawyer (https://forestryforum.com/board/index.php?action=profile;u=1861).
YellowHammer
My catsclaw is on the other side. As the rock breaks down it gets close to center over the blade.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/32340/IMG_0257.JPG)
Could you please explain what you mean by other side? Do you mean yours is grinding the outside first? I think Yellowhammer s picture needs a slight rotation as well. Banjo
Yes the center line of the rock to the saw blade is outside or operator side.
Thanks for the replies, it just makes sense that mine is set up wrong, and its best to mount the rock on the centerline or a little outboard so as the rock wears it moves more toward center, and not further off the midline which puts even more slant on the edge.
Can't say I ever paid any notice on mine. I have't sharpened a blade in months. Haven't run the mill in months either. I'll try to remember to check next time I do.
Just out of curiosity what width blades are you running? I would think the rock should basically stay in alignment no matter how much the rock wears. However if the drop is set for an 1 1/4" blade and you are running 1 1/2" then it would fall to the back side. Same thing as blades wear from sharpening but would then move toward the other direction.
I'm running 1 1/4 bands. I'm not sure how much the arbor centerline will shift inward as the rock wears and the bands get thinner. While I'm messing around with it, I'll try to get an idea.
Heck I'd adjust it...now I gotta go check on mine. I was gonna say I bet it's closer when you have a new rock on.
Well, I'm late to this party but I want to add the observations on my CatClaw I purchased in 2002.
The 1st pic shows a full size grind wheel and the alignment of the wheel center is very slightly inboard (to the right). I painted the gullet w/ Whiteout t mage it show up.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13036/P1020129.JPG)
For the remaining pics I decided to remove the rock, put a piece of wide flat stock in place of the band and use a mechanics square to check the alignment.
The next pic simulates the alignment with a very worn rock, i.e., very close to the band position. The alignment is right on (within the thickness of the flat stock (1/16")).
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13036/P1020131.JPG)
The last pic shows the rock position (if the rock were installed) at a very high position, probably higher than is ever needed. The alignment is very much inboard.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/13036/P1020130.JPG)
That only makes sense when the head moves in an arc. A CBN wheel is about the only way I can see to avoid it and even then you would a slight change as the blade wears.
Since I've moved the stone, it has been sharpening considerably better and more balanced on either side of the band. Much better than before.
Richard had some really good pointers on the cooks sharpener and alignment at the shindig this year at Customsawyers place. I'm pretty sure most of what I learned was directly related to issues from your machine.
If the center of the rock is in front of, or behind the band, make the correction by adjusting the pillow-block bearings that support the shaft for the rock!
I learned that a while back when I had to change the drive belt!
I also think that it mentions "squaring the rock to the band" in the manual!