Rikon VS-161 is it Good?

🔴 VISIT THE SHOP:
⭕️ ABRASIVES ➔ tinyurl.com/2p...
⭕️ ANGLE GUIDES & PARTS ➔ tinyurl.com/2p...
⭕️ MERCH ➔ tinyurl.com/mr...
🔴 CONNECT:
⭕️ FACEBOOK ➔ tinyurl.com/2p...
⭕️ TIKTOK ➔ tinyurl.com/yc...
⭕️ INSTAGRAM ➔ tinyurl.com/2p...
🔴 JOIN THE COMMUNITY:
⭕️ KZbin SUBSCRIBE ➔ tinyurl.com/26...
⭕️ NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBE ➔ tinyurl.com/2p...
🔴 FOR BUSINESS INQUIRIES:
⭕️ reach out to ➔ [e-mail]
#sharpener #sharpening #knifesharpening #beltsharpening #mobilesharpening #harborfreight

[@adjbob56]

Can the platen be extended higher an inch or so? that would put your hands away from the motor and you could put the wheel back on the right side. You could bend some metal that runs all the way up to the upper wheel area, as a support for a longer platen that enables your angle jig to be out in the open away from motor and grinding wheel.

[@to_a_nico]

Thank you!! You helped me figure out how to replace the belt. Loosening that silver hex bolt and pressing the pulley sideways did the trick. The new ceramic belts were about 1/2 inch shorter than the stock belt.

[@sizzlegirl]

Glad to see that you are still alive and well. Remain focused on the BIG picture and your long term goals.

[@CurryCustomCutlery]

Thank you. Eyes on the Prize while staying safe and sane(?) and having fun! Aloha ;)

[@jatoav8or]

Recently acquired the Rikon after seeing the wide selection of belts & maintenance parts on your website. I actually purchased this product on your recommendation and am overall pleased with the performance. Just as a side note, As a totally portable setup I use a work sharp ko with the 1”x18” attachment with excellent results on house calls. Unfortunately being on a very tight budget limits my options. I again want to mention the variety of quality belts & other products specifically for these smaller machines available on your website.

[@barkingspider2007]

I have the WS with the 1 x 18 attachment. Would you buy the Rikon again? On a higher budget what would you buy? Thanks...

[@kevo0954]

Having the buffer wheel straight across from the belt is to me the same problem as the Tormeks. The solution that I'd like to see is that the buffing wheel would be mounted at right angles to the machine with a 1:1 right angle gear to drive it. I get that you'd have move yourself or the machine to get to it but it would absolutely work. Thanks for the follow up!

[@zachjacobs9917]

Been looking intensively about moving from a whetstone to a machine and this seems to be the most economical direction. This guy and your variety pack of belts should be all you’d really need.

[@mrtoymeister]

I would love review on the viel sander with all the attachments. Keep up the great work, it's appreciated

[@CurryCustomCutlery]

Got a topic list going and added that. Ive had the small Viel with all attachments without doing much so its a good one bring into the spot light!

[@andyprice4696]

Curry Custom Cutlery I just bought a variable speed rikon, same as this model. Now you’ve had some experience with this for awhile. Would you care to make a video of your setup? Did you do anything special to the wheels or bearings? Will this model accept a 5” buffing wheel instead of the disk sander? Did you ever raise the angle guide? I would appreciate a guide to setup the machine the same way you do.

[@sherpadelgatos]

Thanks for the very useful videos and rec. I ordered one of these and i look forward to using it when i get time

[@redangrybird7564]

I thought that you were loosing your mind due to quarantine, LOL . ✌😀

[@CurryCustomCutlery]

Can confirm...more crazy on the way.

[@redangrybird7564]

@@CurryCustomCutlery I just want to thank you for all the videos you have uploaded, I have learnt a lot from you. God bless you and your family. Take care. 😁👍

[@johnjude2685]

Love your rebuild adding the good roller and bearing and all the repairs that make quality like China doesn't care about but winning the USA market and has done that but paying with the efforts by children workers. I have that name product from Harbor Freight and out of the box it's not nice craftsmanship. I'm following your advice but building mine a DIY project frame also as I'll try a small diameter pully that I can swing in as desired as needed. So glad you inspired me .I just doing my neighbors knives and my angel guide setup completely different and might be better but my has separate gauge one for each of the 4 common degrees as recommended for different knives. After completing I'm trying to get my son who has 5 years computer college to make me a video for you tube and I'll be asking to give you credit for inspiring and helping me to get the tweets into the 1x30 and let them shine. Just love taking mine out to work wood handle or anything keeping my garage much cleaner than fire hazard saw dust. I'm am going with Harbor Freight wheel mounts and the bolt for mounting the bearing and the tension system that holds the belts tightly. Don't want China egg shaped wheels or wobbly bearing. Thanks so much Sir. Wish I had seen your videos before my 2X72 build of the 2 believe 1x30 is better for the smaller jobs 2X72 are for mid size welding projects stuff that needs fast removal and square off.

[@migo-migo9503]

These now cost around $225. There is a similar Grizzly for $165, but people complain that it also gets too hot. It sounds like the heat is a common issue.

[@rodgermcadoo5631]

Cliff - kinda new to your channel, and having a blast watching your videos! Very informative and entertaining. I am considering sharpening for extra income in retirement, so I hope to get started soon. Regarding this Rikon being the only off-the-shelf variable speed sharpening system: have you considered the Grizzly G0864? It's 2000-3450 RPM w/ 1900-3277 FPM belt speed and it's only $165. Also, to eliminate the downside of the motor being in the way, you might want to consider the Bucktool BD1801DS. It's a 1x42 with the motor and drive wheel in the rear. Not variable speed, but two-speed: 1725/3450 RPM, 1575/3150 FPM - in another video you said you just only use the lowest speed anyway, and it's about the same price as the Rikon VS-161 @ $250. I'm definitely considering that one. Blessings!

[@stevoincv]

Is the arbor long enough on the disk sander side, minus the shroud, to accept a 1 inch wide felt wheel. Is it tall enough for an 8 inch diameter felt wheel, 6 inch? Thanks for your response.

[@toddhubbard1991]

Hey Cliff. Newbie here😊. Thank you for sharing your knowledge!! Your videos are well done and informative. Just ordered the rikon based on your review. Also ordered the deluxe belt bundle from your website. Now let’s see if I can make a few bucks!!! Thanks again!!

[@CurryCustomCutlery]

Need any help pls reach out msg or text etc....Lots of guys started just like you n bringing it home after a bit of practice.

[@charlesparell5597]

HI. I just got my Rincon 1x30 Variable speed. I'm anxious to try it! What angle do you use on the angle guide? I'm primarily using 8 and 10 inch chef knives, a chinese cleaver-thick, a vegetable cleaver-THIN. I've had great success for close to 20 years with paper wheels on a bench grinder. But I'm over having to re-coat them. Your method seems way easier. And More accurate!

[@CurryCustomCutlery]

try something in the 15-17° range. Turn speed all the way down is where my lives. Watch the 3 steps being taught to my son video is about the best visual for edge leading with the angle guide or the sharping in 1 min video is good. New edge leading video coming this Sunday and new Rikon video coming soon too, I just bought 2 more for a project ;)

[@jordanjohnson7266]

Hey cliff, any clever ideas for a way to utilize that wheel on the right? I’m doing a mobile sharpening setup and I’d love to utilize it for something. Wire? SB?

[@barkingspider2007]

Would the Rikon work well for lawn mower blades? I sharpen as a hobby. Kitchen knives for folks who live in my neighborhood. Currently using a WorkSharp for knives and paying $6.00 to get lawnmower blades sharpened.

[@LEPPER500]

Would you be able to make a video showing how you removed the metal sanding disk and its housing? I'm trying to take mine off and can't figure it out. Thank you 😊

[@CurryCustomCutlery]

I have a new project on the bench involving two machines and I'll make sure to cover that how to remove side plate

[@LEPPER500]

@Curry Custom Cutlery thank you so much I'm looking forward to using the rikon without the sanding disk and its housing in my way . I'll look forward to your video

[@DogGuy19]

Question, would you recommed this or the harbor freight with mods? Thanks

[@malcolmholt2010]

Grizzly makes a similar that is variable as well

[@CurryCustomCutlery]

nearly identical I think....many have gotten that one too and either will work. Key is the 2000 rpm speed zone is sweet spot for sharpening.

[@j.d.1488]

Cool video. Purchased one for multi use and been using it at low rpm for sharpening. Only issue is it gets hot as you mentioned. Any suggestions for helping it keeping cool.

[@CurryCustomCutlery]

Just run em....they will cool down over years of use but doesnt effect them working

[@vdog570]

Do you think the edge of the blade is getting so hot that it could damage the temper of the knife? I'm reading this everywhere on blade forums. With your experience what do you think about that?

[@theIndoCurrys]

Even the most comprehensive study with very thin knives and very hot speeds showed a minor decrease in the rockwell hardness of apex in the first few MICRONS. So technically I wouldn't argue that the absolute edge of the edge get softened ever so slightly, but when you see what I typical month of use does regardless its negligible IMHO.

[@kirkjohnson9353]

I wonder if it would be possible to put something like an MDF wheel on the other side. Something that can detach fairly easy for safety during regular sharpening. Maybe on a shaft extension?

[@CurryCustomCutlery]

Im not a big fan of edge trailing sharpening but another video WEN Sharpening Station I show it in the cinfig. Skip to about half way for the good stuff. ;)

[@kirkjohnson9353]

@@CurryCustomCutlery I like your videos. Thank you for the reply. I will look up the WEN video and learn what I can. I like that you are continuing to learn and evolve.

[@CurryCustomCutlery]

@@kirkjohnson9353 always man. Im currently in a couple forums on FB with large numbers of sharpeners helping share and ofcourse Instagram...because I guess everyone needs to be there. lol

[@kirkjohnson9353]

@@CurryCustomCutlery That sounds great. I love the information age where we can multiply our knowledge and experience in incredibly short periods of time. Keep up the good work Curry!!

[@fsugolfandcards]

will the wheel upgrade kit you sell on your website directly fit on this Rikon model ?

[@CurryCustomCutlery]

No it is designed as an upgrade for the stock harbor freight with a motor replacement. It fits a 15 mm shaft

[@gravediggermaxvabeachva]

kewl.....been kinda waiting for this vid......we tried to buy 2 a few months back, but everyone was out of stock, even the grizzly model. - your walls appears you are short on a few belts too........ :-).......see ya soon mr cliff -

[@CurryCustomCutlery]

New belts in stock and ready to send out. Video coming next day or so reviewing the new abrasives.

[@RickLaffoonII]

Can a cutoff wheel be added and notch the guard to cut golf shafts?

[@CurryCustomCutlery]

Could probably without too much effort

[@williamfricke4464]

I am new to all this knife making and sharpening stuff. Is this a good sander to start with? How well could handles be shaped on it? Or would a Wen be better? The Harbor Freight unit needs so many upgrades, it just seems better to go with a better quality unit. Any tips or suggestions are appreciated.

[@CurryCustomCutlery]

this is a great out of box 1" machine that could make knifes, sand handles and can sharpen with it.

[@burtronomaniac]

Grizzly sells one just like it only it’s green and sells for 154 on their website

[@CurryCustomCutlery]

Word of caution, for whatever reason Ive heard from a few that build quality with lower on Grizzly. Honestly not sure how or why but heard wheels out of balance etc...

[@mcgeedigital]

Bought the Rikon (thanks for the recommendation). But the variable speed control does not change the speed at at all.....any ideas?

[@CurryCustomCutlery]

Ummm that is a defect then I would say. Been a hot minute since I watched my own 50-161 video but I show it speed adjusting so you can tell if yours isnt doing its thing. Bummer man

[@OffBrandGolf]

Yo Cliff! The knock on this is that the wheels wear unevenly causing the belt to not track correctly. Have you had issues with this at all?

[@CurryCustomCutlery]

Never seen what youre describing...I do offer high quality poly idler wheel upgrades for like $12 each on my website linked below.

[@ChristopherSalisburySalz]

I would like to see a review of the Viel sharpener you have. I know others like them but I want to hear what you think about them. Also, if money or availability wasn't a consideration, what would be the ultimate knife sharpener? What would you want?

[@CurryCustomCutlery]

Great topics to discuss. Ill try to throw them into upcoming videos

[@hereweare9011]

Do you still have this machine right now in 2023?

[@CurryCustomCutlery]

I just installed 3 more down at my new store. Check video on my new Knife store

[@r.e.sharpening991]

How did you add a buffing wheel to this. Still new to the 1 x 30

[@CurryCustomCutlery]

My background is electro mechanical repair so tinkering things together comes natural

[@timgoodliffe]

what do you put over the metal guide?

[@timgoodliffe]

blade angle guide

[@Laszlomtl]

Hey Cliff, I just saw a grinder here on KZbin with variable speed, it's called _Ken Onion Elite Sharpener_ Would you mind commenting on that ??

[@CurryCustomCutlery]

Its ok. It has limitations mostly because of the tight turn at the wheel on the bottom but many like and use it. We have full line of abrasives for this machine 1x 18 inch.

[@armyca]

Its only 1x30 machine with 3/4hp motor... Other machines only 1/3hp