865 Highway 169 N.
Plymouth, Mn. 55441
*WARNING:* READ, UNDERSTAND AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS IN YOUR OWNERS MANUAL. MACHINE MUST BE OFF WHEN MAKING ANY ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SKATE HOLDER. ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN OPERATING A SKATE SHARPENING MACHINE.
THE FUNCTION OF THE SKATE HOLDER IS TO PRODUCE EVEN EDGES ON YOUR SKATE BLADE.
TO PRODUCE EVEN EDGES THE OPERATOR MUST UNDERSTAND HOW THE SKATE HOLDER WORKS, AND, THE OPERATOR MUST BE ABLE TO CHECK THE FINISHED SKATE TO DETERMINE IF THE EDGES ARE EVEN. IF THE EDGES DO NOT COME OUT EVEN, THE OPERATOR MUST BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHICH EDGE IS HIGH AND BY HOW MUCH.
REFER TO FIGURES #2, 3 AND 4. THE OLDEST WAY TO CHECK FOR EVEN EDGES IS TO PLACE A COIN FLAT ONTO THE BOTTOM OF YOUR BLADE (FIG.#2A). IF YOUR EDGES ARE EVEN, THE COIN WILL FORM A 90 DEGREE ANGLE TO THE SIDE OF THE SKATE BLADE. THERE ARE TWO PROBLEMS WITH THIS METHOD. THE COIN TENDS TO EASILY FALL OFF THE BLADE AND THE COIN DOES NOT EXTEND FAR ENOUGH OUT EITHER SIDE TO MAGNIFY ANY ERROR.
IN FIG#2B, WE ARE USING A 6" FLAT OBJECT. WE NOW HAVE 3" OF MATERIAL STICKING OUT BOTH SIDES TO MAGNIFY ANY ERROR AND MAKE IT MORE EASILY RECOGNIZED.
TIP A CLEVER MEASURING TOOL IN USE IS A 6" LONG FLAT PIECE OF ALUMINUM STRIP OR ANGLE WITH A MAGNET GLUED TO THE MIDDLE. THIS WILL HOLD THE DEVICE IN PLACE EVEN ON STAINLESS STEEL SKATE BLADES. IN A PINCH I USE MY PLASTIC CREDIT CARD (OR DRIVERS LICENSE) AND HOLD IT IN PLACE WITH MY FINGER TIP. YOU DON'T NEED TO BE A ROCKET SCIENTIST TO CHECK FOR EVEN EDGES!!!
AFTER GRINDING, EVERY SKATE SHOULD BE CHECKED FOR EVEN EDGES BEFORE IT IS REMOVED FROM THE SKATE HOLDER!
*WARNING:* THE MACHINE MUST BE OFF WHEN MAKING ANY ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SKATE HOLDER.
REFER TO FIGURE #3. AFTER GRINDING THE SKATE AND WITH THE SKATE STILL IN THE SKATE HOLDER YOU SHOULD CHECK FOR EVEN EDGES. WHEN YOU CLAMP THE SKATE INTO THE SKATE HOLDER, THE SKATE BLADE WILL FORM A 90 DEGREE ANGLE WITH THE BOTTOM JAW OF THE SKATE HOLDER. IF YOUR EDGES CAME OUT EVEN THEY WILL ALSO FORM A 90 DEGREE ANGLE TO THE MEASURING TOOL FROMFIG#2.
WHEN VIEWED FROM THE SIDE , YOUR MEASURING TOOL (FIG2) WILL BE PARALLEL WITH THE FRONT FACE OF YOUR SKATE HOLDER IF YOUR EDGES ARE EVEN!!! MOST PEOPLE FIND IT EASIER TO SEE TWO LINES PARALLEL THAN TO VERIFY THAT THEY FORM A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. ONE FULL TURN OF THE TILT CONTROL KNOB ON THE WISSOTA "TANGENT FINDER" SKATE HOLDER WILL CHANGE THE DISPARITY OF THE BLADE EDGES BY APPROXIMATELY 0.001" (HOCKEY) AND 0.0014" (FIGURE). THE OPERATOR CAN ACHIEVE PERFECTION QUICKLY AND EASILY.
REFER TO FIGURE#4. THIS ILLUSTRATES A SKATE WITH A HIGH TOP EDGE. NOTICE THAT THE MEASURING TOOL IS NOT PARALLEL TO THE FRONT FACE OF THE SKATE HOLDER. THE MEASURING TOOL WOULD BE ANGLED THE OTHER WAY IF THE BOTTOM EDGE WAS HIGHER THAN THE TOP.
*WARNING:* REMOVE ALL MEASURING TOOLS FROM THE SKATE BLADE BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO GRIND THE BLADE.
NOTE: THE ABOVE METHOD IS VERY ACCURATE AND CAN PRODUCE CONSISTENT RESULTS. ONE EXCEPTION TO THIS WOULD BE IF AN UNUSUALLY HEAVY SKATE WAS "DROOPING" IN THE HOLDER AND WAS NOT BEING HELD IN A 90 DEGREE POSITION. THIS COULD HAPPEN WITH A LARGE MENS SKATE THAT MAY ALSO BE EXTRA HEAVY WITH WATER OR ABSORBED PERSPIRATION.
IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO OCCASIONALLY DOUBLE CHECK A SKATE OUT OF THE HOLDER. THERE ARE SEVERAL GOOD CUSTOM GAUGES ON THE MARKET FOR MEASURING EDGES TO UNDER .001"
FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE "TWO MOST COMMON ERRORS
THAT PRODUCE UNEVEN EDGES", and 
DVD INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS.
CHECKING SKATE BLADES FOR EVEN EDGES
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1996 Wissota Manufacturing
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