Grinder issues on 2nd pass

[TimC 0]

Many years ago, my mentor sausagemaker taught me to run a thumbnail across the plate and it was sharp enough if it took off small shavings

[processhead]

TimC 0 said in Grinder issues on 2nd pass:

Many years ago, my mentor sausagemaker taught me to run a thumbnail across the plate and it was sharp enough if it took off small shavings

Like any other cutting instrument, the honed edge should be sticky-sharp when you drag your finger over it, and grinder plates and knives are no different, although I would bet they get neglected more often than, say a boning knife or other cutting tool.

[BobSmith]

There are numerous videos on YouTube on how to sharpen grinder knives and plates. Sausage maker sells stones the you put on your grinder and “2 guys and a cooler” show how to do it with a flat surface and sand paper. Has anybody tried one of these methods?

[processhead]

BobSmith said in Grinder issues on 2nd pass:

There are numerous videos on YouTube on how to sharpen grinder knives and plates. Sausage maker sells stones the you put on your grinder and “2 guys and a cooler” show how to do it with a flat surface and sand paper. Has anybody tried one of these methods?

I have done the flat surface and sandpaper method and it does work for well for me, but it takes some time.

I also have a bench top belt sander with a milled cast iron bed surface. If I put a silicon carbide 400 grit belt on it, it works good on grinder plates and knives and does the job fast.

[Denny O]

Purchase new knives and plates keep the knife and plater paired and use the same side of the plate with the paired knife.
When that gets dull in the future then sharpen both or purchase new once again.

[BobSmith]

processhead what did you use for a flat surface. The video was pushing a piece of 1/2” glass that sells for $80 on the sponsors website. Another video said a piece of granite works good.

[processhead]

BobSmith said in Grinder issues on 2nd pass:

processhead what did you use for a flat surface. The video was pushing a piece of 1/2” glass that sells for $80 on the sponsors website. Another video said a piece of granite works good.

Any reasonably flat and hard surface will work. I think I used a piece of plate glass I had laying around here.

I found that 400 grit silicon carbide abrasive sheets work the best.

[BobSmith]

processhead Thanks much!

[mdseaside]

I sharpen the blade for my grinder 400 grit sand paper. I use the wet or dry paper and use a small amount of lightweight oil. Makes a very smooth edge and the paper lasts longer. One other thing that helps with second or all grinds is to freeze is to put oiled and assembled grinder head in the freezer or a while before grinding.

[java]

I have had good luck using 800 then 1000 grit wet paper on a piece of glass.