Types and operation of skate sharpening machines

The main tool of a hockey player, figure skating fan or just a person who prefers to spend his free time on ice is ice skates. For them to last as long as possible and be comfortable to use, perfect sharpening is necessary. With a variety of attachments, you can keep your equipment in top condition and significantly extend its lifespan.

Good grip on ice, the ability to maneuver and perform complex tricks on the rink depend not only on the agility and skills of the athlete, but also on the condition of the skates. The sharpness of the blade and the presence of a special groove play a special role.

As soon as scratches and dents are formed on the blade, it begins to "slip".

That's why immediately after purchase and throughout the entire period of use, the blade must be periodically sharpened... For this, special machines for sharpening skates are used.

There are quite compact models that can be used even at home to take care of your equipment. To do this, you just need to understand the principle of operation and master the necessary skills. The set for skate sharpening machines includes:

• universal holder;
• abrasive wheel;
• a device for collecting shavings and dust;
• diamond pencil.

Today, a variety of sharpening tools are produced by many companies in Russia and other countries. There are special devices for home use, conventional machines or simple tools and automated options that do not require complex skills from the master.

At the same time, some devices are created specifically for turning running, walking, figure skates or 3 in 1. There are also professional sharpening machines, thanks to the complex adjustment system of which it is possible to sharpen the blade on any type of skate.

For home use, as a rule, they do not buy sophisticated equipment, dispensing with ordinary hand sharpeners or the simplest devices.

Famous brands Nordway, Decathlon created special small devices that can be used to quickly sharpen a skate by hand. These are compact devices consisting of a sharpener itself and its shell.

In some cases, craftsmen use special files for sharpening under the groove, completely coping with manual sharpening. However, it should be understood that such methods are only suitable for non-professional use, for example, for moving the blades of recreational skates during the season.

Modern technology offers the safest and most accurate way to bring your skate blade to perfect condition. Many brands have focused on the production of automatic sharpening machines.

This type of equipment significantly reduces the processing time, while increasing the quality of sharpening.

The electronic professional automatic machine, thanks to a wide range of settings, can work with skates of any type: hockey, figure skates, children. The blade is placed in a special carriage and fixed in it. And the master remotely, without even going directly to the machine, makes settings for a specific type of sports equipment. Thanks to the powerful motor and special design, the machine handles perfect sharpening in a short time.

Before buying a sharpening device, you first need to decide for what purpose you are buying equipment. Professional machines take up a fairly large space and require more expensive consumables, but they can generate significant income, especially in the active skiing season.

For home use, you can choose a simpler model that will significantly save money by sharpening the blades yourself.

One of the best manufacturers of sharpening equipment in the world is the company Prosharp... The home country of the brand is Sweden, which is not surprising, because it is there that skates are especially popular among residents.

The machines from the Swedish manufacturer are used in the world's main ice arenas and are preferred by the Olympic teams and other professional athletes. But simple models for home use are also available.

Consider the most popular and well-proven compact models.

It is a small device, not larger than a regular suitcase. Weighs about 10 kilograms. At the same time, it is able to provide a professional level of sharpening for hockey, figure skating, skaters.

The special design allows the procedure to be performed completely safe for the sharpener, and the blade is centered automatically.

Distinctive features of this Swedish machine:

• there is a function of automatic sharpening with a turn;
• forms a groove on the blade automatically according to a given type, options from classic to advanced are available;
• the degree of pressing of the disc to the ridge is adjusted during the sharpening process to obtain a better result.

A complete set of consumables is supplied with the device.

The most popular model in the world for use on a rink or at home today is SSM-2. This is a slightly more massive device weighing 13 kilograms and a classic design.

The device sharpens any type of skate, while being as safe as possible for the master. The strong base allows you to carry out work without worrying about accidental damage.

The machine has a wide range of settings. Thanks to them, having made adjustments before starting work, you can sharpen various types of skates:

• hockey;
• curly;
• walking;
• cross-country;
• gaming;
• children.

The motor accelerates the sharpening device up to 3 thousand revolutions per minute, which allows you to give the blade perfect sharpness in a short time.

Standard skate sharpeners require only 2 types of components, which will have to be changed periodically. The final sharpening result and the comfort of using sports equipment depend on their quality and the right choice.

Often this element is also called a grindstone. They are produced in three different colors: white, pink and blue.

The really important parameter of a grindstone is its hardness. There are three hardness options:

• soft-hard;
• medium hardness;
• solid.

Grit is also an important parameter. Abrasive wheels are fine-grained and coarse-grained.

The choice of wheel is necessary based on the size of the mounts in your sharpener. For each model, a different size of the grindstone is suitable.

This type of accessories is selected strictly to the type of abrasive wheel used in your sharpening machine. The pencils contain a synthetic diamond insert and are used to dress the sharpening stone. When choosing, you need to pay attention to the technical characteristics:

• pencil length;
• diameter;
• abrasion resistance.

They are selected according to the parameters of your grinding system. This is the most expensive type of component.

Sharpening machines keep your sports equipment in top condition at all times. If you decide to purchase a sharpening tool, you will have to learn how to work with it.

The sharpening process is quite simple.

• First, you need to set up the device, referring to the instructions attached to it. Install a whetstone.
• Use a diamond pencil to bring the abrasive wheel to the required shape.
• The boot is fixed in a special foot. The blade should be set parallel to the plane of the disc.
• The device turns on. Move the blade gradually towards the accelerating disc.
• Once the disc has accelerated to constant motion, you can apply the skate blade and begin sharpening.
• Move the blade in the opposite direction to the movement of the disc.
• Repeat the movements, adjusting the location of the groove. If the plates are bent, a roller must be used.

It is possible to sharpen at home using improvised means.