Hello Brian,
Another $400 for a motor in a box seems like more than I really
want to spend if I can avoid it. (Especially as I have a crate of
spare motors stashed next to the lathe...)
I have one of the older models of the power hone. It’s a relatively
simple machine, and I have only replaced the switch once, and if I
remember correctly, there may have been a belt or some other smaller
type of issue that needed to be replaced in over 25 years. I do
believe that you should be able to make something similar without
too much trouble.
The main thing you want to create is an evenly level spinning
surface. I don’t know what the rpm’s are, but it’s not excessively
fast. The disc spindle is really the heart of what keeps the discs
true, so I would consider paying for those parts. I have a little
quick-change hub on the main plate so I can change the wheels on the
fly. This was not an original feature on mine, but it may be
standard now. Another feature of the newer ones is the stand for the
holding chuck for the gravers is now stationary. My stand is
completely separate, which is nice because I can accommodate just
about any length of tool at any angle. The drawback is that my
machine top has a very slight dome to the cover (corrected on newer
models), and if you aren’t careful, it’s possible to have the stand
base slide off to the side while you use it, resulting in slightly
different angles across the sharpened face. I never had reverse on my
unit, so I have never missed it. I’m not really sure what particular
advantage it would offer.
If it’s in your budget after you’ve built the sharpening hone, I
would really recommend the GRS dual angle sharpening fixture. It’s
much nicer, and easier to use than all of their other fixtures. I
ordered one immediately as soon as I had used it, even though I had
purchased the quick change unit shortly before. (I’d be willing to
part with that, barely used!) You move the head of the fixture so
that all of your angles are maintained relative to each other, and
not trying to reset the graver and the angle each time. The ceramic
wheel for use with diamond spray will give you the brightest polish,
and absolutely crisp edges, so I recommend that as well.
Good luck with your endeavor!
Melissa Veres, engraver