Figure Skate Holder

I've been working on a few different ways to make sharpening figure skates easier and more time efficient on the Sparx machine. 

I also don't want to spend $110 for some aluminum chunks and 2 set screws. (But I will pour hours of time into this… there's a theme starting to appear here.)

I started a while ago making a version of the Sparx figure skate block but decided to use spacers under the skate boots instead. 

The spacers worked well but took time and weren't ‘idiot proof’ enough for my liking. I'm looking to improve upon what takes me around 45min to sharpen a pair currently. 

20min would be great. 

10min, amazing. 

So, here is version - I lost count. (Still not idiot proof but I think it will end up quicker overall.)

I have no idea how the Sparx version works but here's how mine does: 

• This is designed to fit up to 4.5mm wide blades. I don't have a sample of every blade out there, but I don't think I have encountered blades that wide yet. 
• The body is wide so the Sparx motor guide rides on the wide body of the skate block. This deflects the grinding ring below the toe pick when the block is positioned correctly. 
  • I didn't want to use the grinding ring plastic or the motor body to deflect the grinding ring. 
• It also allows the tail of the blades to be sharpened more squarely since the block will prevent the grinding ring from coming up too high on the end of the skate blade. You set the height of the rear block so the machine gently releases off of the blade and the block ‘catches’ the grinding ring. 

BOM: 

2x M4 screws , 10-15mm length should do. I'm going to start using grub/set screws. I'm also considering switching to an M6 instead of an M4. 

2x M4 Heat set inserts if using the hsi model. 

Issues: 

• The block is plastic, so it will deflect as the screw is tightened onto the blade. I've been working on various revisions to address this, but in the end its plastic so I think its just a ‘feature’.  (I haven't been able to snap a block but you can see stress in the block when fully/over tightened.)
• Setup is still a little tedious. I have been aiding setup with an ‘offset spacer’ plate for the rear and am still working on something for the toe. - I will include this plate in the print profiles. 
  • For now, for the toe, I just align the pick, visually, with the lowest part of the block, and snug the screw. 
    • The issue is figure skates have a lot of variety in the geometry of the blades and picks so there will always be a certain amount of setup and care needed to not ruin the skates.