GRS toolpost modification by Sandy Popovich

[sam]

I have to hand it to Sandy...when I first tried this toolpost mod I knew I had to have mine done. Sandy mills and mounts three super strong neodymium magnets into the bottom of the base making it resistant to tipping or moving when sharpening and ruining the graver. I've gotten into the habit to holding down the toolpost base with my left hand while I sharpen, but that's no longer necessary.

As you can see, the magnets are so strong I can lift up the end of my PowerHone by the toolpost.

Sandy does this mod for $50 with a trade-in of your old base. I think it's one hell of a bargain!

 

[Texasgerd]

Wow! That is a great idea and not a hard DIY if you have the setup to cut the steel of the base.
Hats off to Sandy.

 

[GTJC460]

Woah! Those are some might powerful magnets. Good idea

 

[wowilson]

Yep, I'm doing that!

 

[zzcutter]

My post that came from GRS years ago already has magnet strips on it.

 

[Sandy]

The idea for a different system to hold the tool post securely to the power hone started a long time ago. I was always letting it tip slightly. Which caused the grind to be slightly off creating some strange geometry at the cutting point. Originally the first one I made was with a 95 pound round magnet. That the vertical post was screwed directly to it. You really had a hard time moving that magnet. The next one was a 2 inch 25 pound magnet recessed into the base of the tool post. My good friend Gary Hartshorn turned me on to the little magnets. They are 3/4" dia 12 pound cup magnets (neodymium). Although there is an aggregate 36 pound holding force it is a lot easer to move the tool post. The tool post stays put. My problem of inadvertently tipping or sliding the post while shapping a graver is over. If you don't have the stuff to do it on your own send me a P.M. And we can work out the details.
Sandy

 

[monk]

mine came with an xtra strong, thin, fridge magnet type on the bottom. not super strong, but then tipping has never occured whilst sharpening.

 

[FANCYGUN]

Sandy
I always knew you had a certain animal magnetism

 

[Ron Spokovich]

Two suggestions that may help a bit more come to mind. One, you may remember my suggestion from a previous post on using a spring underneath a GRS dual angle fixture, if you're using one, and, in one of the corners drill & tap for some sort of knurled knob type of screw (fine thread) or a wing-type screw (preferably nylon/brass tipped) to break the powerful hold the magnets have instead of having to drag the thing off the top of the power hone. The screw thing can help a lot, and it would make life easier!

 

[Sandy]

Hi Marty,
How you doing. Still snowed in? LOL. Not sure that you have the correct diagnosis. I have something but they're not sure what.
Ron,
Sam's photo shows the strength of the magnets. However it still can be moved or removed with no difficulty.

 

[Fred Bowen]

Hey Marty- animal magnetism? I guess that explains all those squirrels stuck to Sandy.

 

[sam]

Over the years I've seen a lot of students destroy the ends of their gravers by accidentally tipping the toolpost when sharpening, and having to start over. I've always preached to keep the base pointed to the left and to hold it down firmly with the left hand to prevent accidental tipping. Sandy's Super Duper Neo-Magnet Mod solves this problem.

 

[Carvenstein]

For those not inclined to mill holes in the bottom of their tool holder, i would suggest the sheet rubber magnet used for signage on trucks. I double-stick taped a sheet to the surface of my hone and the steel graver holder post sits solidly.


Steve Wardle

 

[FANCYGUN]

Sandy im back east now for my appointment at Johns Hopkins nice warm and sunny in Colorado but But cloudy windy wet and cold back here in the east
Fred...its all sorts of critters that are attracted to Sandy i think its the cute smile

 

[Sandy]

Marty and Fred, you guys are tuff. But I must admit my dogs and I are partial to squirrels.

 

[Omar Haltam]

That is a great pictures Sandy, are they your neighbors?

 

[Sandy]

The little rascals like to torment my dogs. I have two Mullins Mountain Feist. They are genetically wired to chase squirrels. And they love to chase them.

 

[Latergaters]

I've learned to hold mine too but when I use the dual angle I tip. Sandy's a genius.