Myth: The Ruler Trick Negates Flattening and Works on a Strop 

Jeff, I didn't intend to complain about Rob Cosman's technique. I think there are a lot of his techniques that won't work for me as a hobbyist. I simply don't have his skill and experience. I totally agree. At this point in my life and I going to pay the 50 bucks or so for a flat iron. I have 2 recent additions form Veritas that I'm quite happy with. I'm no longer interested in taco-shaped blades. I think there are a number of successful techniques that work for different reasons for different people. Here is an old blog post with a SUPER interesting comments thread including contributions from Mr. Charlesworth and Ron Hock. You might be interested in the reading the debate between Konrad Saur and David Charlesworth. I don't think there is any final answers but it is really fun reading. www.theunpluggedwoodshop.com/the-ruler-trick.html

Thanks Grant, yeah I actually thought about that for a few months, how to visually show that sort of geometry.

I disagree. It greatly exaggerates the issue and does nothing to back the claim that not having to flatten the entire back is a myth.

Well said!

Much appreciated!

How sad to learn of Mr. Charlesworth’s passing. Thanks for letting me know.

BTW - By the way thanks for the compliments. And yes I do flub the enunciation of quite a few words, especially on camera. Yikes!

Thanks Dave. Btw, I am finally getting around to that belt sander grinder setup using a drawer pull we talked about months ago.

@@woodshopnerdery I’ll be watching for it!

Thanks Chris!

Yes, I watched it and commented probably at the same time you were writing your comment. Take a look at the comments John Rice made. He is dead on. You may have other problems, but it is critical to address the idler shaft issue first. The idler shaft is held in place with an eccentric bushing that can be turned to apply tension to the belt. This bushing is gripped in the headstock casting with a bolt and nut. You will need to push the idler bearing and eccentric bushing back into place, rotate the eccentric bushing to apply belt tension, then secure them with the bolt. Do NOT over tighten as you can crack you headstock casting. That will be a major pain to repair. John Rice mentioned Jacob Anderson. Here are two videos that might help you. You might be able to repair this yourself depending on comfort level. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-J2RSrFpr5Sk.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-kl1W2zhCpeY.html

It’s amazing what a night sleep can do. Came out this morning. Looked at it with fresh eyes and saw exactly what you were talking about. Losing the nuts casting to relieve the idler bearing took a big flat head screwdriver in the back and just gently pushed it out so it was flush with the front of the housing. So the upper belt is where it belongs but the lower belt has a slight slant to it not much so I’m now wondering if maybe I don’t need to let the idler go back just a little bit inside of the housing.? I was trying to make it too complicated. Really was an easy fix so I’ll wait for your response. I hope I have it right. Can’t thank you enough. Ted

@@choochoo3985 Good, let's hope you're close. If it were me I would follow Scott Markwood's (@mygrowthrings) reply to one of John Rice's comments. He said the bearing portion of the idler shaft and the eccentric bushing should be flush. Once it is secured back in place you can then trouble shoot belt alignment and tensioning. The 2 Jacob Anderson videos I linked to before should tell you a lot about that part too.

@@woodshopnerdery I did watch the video and after after I sent that I thought you know, the two belts are not the same tension, so I went ahead and released the eccentric cam, and it just basically moved itself to equalize the tension on the two belts. I don’t know if that’s how it’s supposed to happen but I am happy with the fact that it did. You guys are great. I hope others that watch the video get a look at your name and start watching your videos because they’re incredibly informative and you know that Shop Smith is a great tool. Got too much company right now got up early this morning came out the leader. I will go ahead and put the ball back on and see if that resolved any of that vibration problem. Thanks again.

@@woodshopnerdery I did and it worked great. This is a real issue that many may not understand, so I am posting another video on this subject to get others aware of the potential problem and resolution.

Thanks!