Which machine to choose for sharpening your own skates?

Domestic industry and foreign manufacturers produce various devices for sharpening skates. With the help of these simple devices, you can completely restore the sharpness and original shape of the blade, regardless of what its profile is - rectangular or grooved. The machines are equipped with special equipment that allows abrasive processing of several types of blades: W, R, V and U.

Usually a sharpening machine for skates has a set of equipment, which includes:

• a universal type holder that clamps the blade using cams or screws;
• a device for collecting metal dust from the turning zone, operating on the principle of a vacuum cleaner;
• discs of abrasive composition, including a diamond wheel or pencil for restoring abrasive discs that have become rounded during operation.

To ensure smooth movement of the working tool along the blade, the machine uses a special rotary lever supported by bearings.

When deciding for yourself which skate sharpening machine to buy, you need to analyze the performance qualities and capabilities of various types of similar equipment and then, having also compared their cost, settle on one.

Grinding machines from PROSHARP. The Prosharp skate sharpening machine is professional equipment that allows you to use five different processing cycles in your work. This versatility makes it possible to use the Prosharp machine to perform both processing of figured blades and sharpening of hockey skates. The device is made in the form of a compact machine, shaped like a suitcase weighing 15 kilograms. All machine devices are mounted on a steel frame, which also contains a reliable blade locking mechanism. The blade is centered automatically, which allows you to perform work with high precision and without additional effort.

Functionality of the professional automatic skate sharpening machine Prosharp:

• automatic blade sharpening with rotation;
• giving the blade a given profile from the classic version to the radius one;
• adjustable pressure of the abrasive disc to the blade during operation.

The machine kit includes templates with which you can select the desired contour of the blade to be sharpened. Also included are abrasive discs with a diamond wheel and diamond pencils to restore the shape of the abrasive. Machines model AS 2001 ALLPRO contain an additional device with which you can cut a Z profile - grooves on the blade. The price of a machine for sharpening skates is 30,000 rubles. This relatively inexpensive machine has good operating parameters.

The SZK-1 skate sharpening machine allows you to perform professional sharpening of hockey skates and those intended for figure skating. With its help, you can restore the flat plane of the blade, or you can grind a figured groove. The machine has a universal screw-type holder that fits almost any type of blade. The device also contains a connector for connecting any household vacuum cleaner to collect abrasive metal dust generated during operation.

In addition to abrasive discs, the machine kit includes diamond pencils. To sharpen figure skates, you need a special profile of an abrasive wheel, which is cut using a pencil with diamond chips.

To operate the machine, a connection to a household electrical network of 220 volts is used. With a power consumption of 1 kilowatt, the electric motor develops up to 2800 revolutions of the abrasive wheel per minute. The weight is 25 kilograms, and the cost of the machine is 35,000 rubles.

The SSM-2 skate sharpening machine is the most popular sharpening design in the world, which has proven itself in processing literally all types of blades. It contains an N-10 blade holder, which allows you to securely fix any type of product. Weighing 14 kilograms, the sharpening device is reliable and easy to use.

The base of the skate sharpening machine is made of steel and high-strength composite materials, which allows you to achieve excellent results in the processing of the blade, and then the skating itself is easy.

Using this device, you can professionally prepare the blades of the following types of skates:

• for children;
• for walking;
• gaming;
• for figure skating;
• for hockey.

The motor power of the device consumed from the network is 250 watts, and the rotation speed of the sharpening tool is up to 3400 rpm. You can find out how much this device costs on the websites of sporting goods stores. At the moment, the price of SSM-2 is 120,000 rubles.

Mention should be made of the well-known manufacturer of Prosharp machines designed for sharpening skates.

PROSHARP products are known to all ice sports specialists. This is high-tech equipment that allows for fast and accurate processing of blades of any profile. The automated operating mode makes the operation easy and fast. You can use such a device in a small business environment right next to a city skating rink or sports stadium. Taking into account the electronic control of the process, the price of this company’s products is higher than that of other manufacturers and is now equal to 300,000 rubles.

Universal machine for sharpening skates

The SZK-1 machine sharpens equipment for any sport. This equipment for sharpening skates is convenient and is used by figure skating sections, service centers and skating rinks.

Advantages of SZK-1

Positive characteristics of the SZK skate sharpening machine:

• high motor power 1100 W;
• fast disk rotation speed - up to 2800 rpm;
• versatility - sharpening skates for hockey and figure skating;
• simplicity, the plate supporting the blade allows it to be sharpened well;
• affordable price; for the production of equipment, discs are made that are cheaper than imported analogues, which does not affect the quality.

Professional sharpening on the SZK-2 machine

The SZK-2 has a different boot fastening system than the SZK-1. The boot is secured to the holder. The holder slides smoothly parallel to the grinding wheel. The design completely eliminates blade displacement. The equipment is designed for sharpening athletes' equipment.

Automatic machine SZK-3

The domestic industry has automatic equipment for processing blades. Such devices include SZK-3. Sharpening blades on the SZK-3 is distinguished by accuracy and speed. The equipment professionally sharpens any profile of skates, be it hockey or figure skating equipment.

The principle of operation is to secure the boot in the carriage. The carriage moves automatically. The number of movements and speed of movement of the carriage is set by the operator on the front panel.

The design of SZK-3 allows you to obtain:

• cleanliness of the plates being sharpened;
• identical processing of both skates, regardless of the experience of the sharpener;
• achieving clear parameters.

Professional Prosharp machine

Prosharp is used for repairing professional equipment. The device maintains the shape of the blades and sharpens them within five minutes. Using the Prosharp skate sharpening machine is possible by connecting it to a car battery or other 12 W power source. When using the device, regrinding is eliminated, since the metal is removed evenly along the entire length of the plate.

Homemade sharpening machine

To sharpen the blades yourself, a sharpening apparatus is constructed from improvised materials. To do this you need two pipes, a whetstone, a file, a bolt and a metal ruler.

Athletes sharpen their blades in certified workshops.

Important! To sharpen blades well at home, you need a lot of experience as a sharpener.

How to sharpen skates at home

If you think that this is a simple task, you are deeply mistaken. Typically, athletes only turn to professionals to do the work of balancing and sharpening their blades. After all, the slightest mistake in this - and it’s all gone. The skater or figure skater will lose balance, the blade will overheat, and will not be able to hold on to the turn. The result is painful injuries and falls. So, if you are going to take up sports seriously, you only need a skilled master who knows a hundred different nuances and will do what you need. Well, if you like to ride, then there is nothing wrong with doing this procedure yourself. The main thing is desire, hands and tools.

So, in order to sharpen skates ourselves without special tools, we need:

1. A vice that will allow you to clamp the skates with the blade up. Without this, you will have a hard time and you will definitely not be able to get the expected result;
2. A small thin round file, otherwise called a needle file, the diameter of which will be equal to the thickness of the ridge. We will need it to make the groove of the blade smooth;
3. And lastly, you need to make some kind of device from a block of wood. To do this, we cut a longitudinal hole identical to the width of the skate blade and in depth to the height of the blade. Towards the very depth, the groove must be widened enough for the file to fit into it.

The process itself is not difficult, but it requires perseverance and care.

Let us describe in order what and how to do:

1. We clamp the skate horizontally in a vice and put on top a piece of a block we made with a file inside;

2. Using this device, you need to make a small and even depression right in the center of the blade. We move our piece of wood back and forth until you mark it;
3. Next, you can begin to apply force and go deeper;
4. We continue sharpening until we achieve a sharp edge.

As you can see from the photo, there are notches left. This is not scary and this always happens, even if a special machine is used. Later they are removed.

Stages of sharpening on the machine

Sharpening takes place in three stages:

1. Using a diamond pencil, the sharpening wheel is brought to the desired shape.
2. The shoe is secured in the holder's foot. The blade is attached parallel to the plane of the disk. The master's hands remain free, the skate is securely fastened. After turning on the machine, the master moves the blade to the grinding wheel. Once the movement of the disc becomes constant, the sharpener applies the blade and moves the boot in the opposite direction to the movement of the disc.
3. Repeating the movement, the master adjusts the location and size of the groove. When processing curved plates, a roller is used.

Profiling hockey skate blades

Professionally made sharpening allows the skates to have maximum gliding and contact with the ice.

Blade preparation occurs in two stages:

1. Profiling. They change the geometry of the blade to suit the individual characteristics of the hockey player.
2. Hockey skate sharpening (gutter sharpening).

Basic concepts:

• Blade profile (profile radius) - the contour of the blade from toe to heel.
• The central top point on the blade. She takes on all the load when riding.
• An area or spot that touches the ice.

The platform is the main working part of the skate. Responsible for stability and speed. The greater the weight and height of the hockey player, the larger the size of the spot in contact with the ice.

The profile radius affects the player’s maneuverability, but if you increase it, you can worsen the stability of the skate on the ice. An athlete of great weight and height should have a larger profile radius. This will help the skate to better contact the surface.

Each player on the ice has his own task. Therefore, the profile of a defender is not suitable for a striker. For a hockey player, it is important to find a balance between agility and stability on the ice.

The factory parameters of the circuit, as a rule, are insufficient for normal movement of a hockey player during the game.

The standard pad size does not exceed 10 mm, and the rib sharpening radius is 13-15 feet.

There are three methods to increase the contact patch with ice:

• profile “Site”;
• single (classic, radius);
• combined (double, triple).

Useful articles on choosing and caring for hockey equipment:

• How to properly wrap a hockey stick
• How to choose a hockey bag
• Choosing hockey skates for a child
• How to choose the right hockey helmet
• Choosing a hockey puck
• How to properly put a hockey uniform on a child

Sharpening at home

For this purpose, amateurs use sandpaper, a file and a fine-grained block. When sharpening with a groove, use a file. They are the ones who make the groove. When sharpening without a groove, the skates are secured. The essence of sharpening comes down to the fact that the sole of the blade is sharpened at an angle of 90 degrees to its side walls.

Important! After processing the blades, you need to check how the equipment is sharpened. To do this, you need to stand on the ice and make sure that your skates are level and straight.

Classic profile

The radius longitudinal profile is measured by the radius in feet. For example: 14″ designation means the radius of the profile template is 14 feet. Used for profiling the blades of hockey skates: children's, beginner hockey players and amateurs. Sharpening is done on machines according to factory patterns with a sharpening radius from 7″ to 30″.

The most popular single profile patterns for children's skates:

• 11″ - for small players with good skating skills;
• 15″ - for young beginners;
• 17″ - for beginner young players with a lot of weight.

How to choose hockey equipment for a child, read our articles
Skates Stick Helmet Hockey bag Puck

Consumables for machines

Sharpening equipment consumables include:

• dressing tools with diamond element;
• abrasive discs;
• sharpening stones;
• holders and other accessories.

Timely sharpening is necessary for safe and reliable skating. Sliding on the ice, as well as the cleanliness of figure skating jumps, depend on proper sharpening. When using laser equipment, the device determines the required amount of metal that needs to be removed and also controls the entire sharpening process.

Combined profiling method

The blade of a hockey skate can be divided into three working zones: toe, middle, heel. Each zone is responsible for performing its own maneuver (turn, turn, slide).

The essence of the method. Each part of the blade has its own spot of contact with the ice. After profiling, a blade with a complex configuration is obtained. Sharpening is carried out only on specialized machines using templates. This method is popular among professional players.

Detroit Templates

A dual sharpening style for ice hockey skates like the Detroit 1 (10-20ft) provides the player with the most stability on the ice. At the same time, speed and maneuverability are slightly reduced.

For goalies, players who skate a lot with their backs forward, and heavy defensive players, the Detroit 2 (13-26 feet) is suitable.

Zuperior Templates

The triple type of sharpening is used to increase balance, speed, and maneuverability.

There are several Zuperior templates:

• S (6-12-26 ft) - skate blade size 24.6 cm; 25.4 cm; 26.3 cm;
• M (6-13-26 ft) - 27.2 cm; 28 cm; 28.8 cm;
• L (6-14-26 ft) -29.6 cm; 30.6 cm; 31.2 cm.
• V (6-17-26 feet) -29.6 cm; 30.6 cm; 31.2 cm - used for goalkeepers and heavy players.

All templates give athletes additional stability during the game, which does not affect speed.

Useful tips

The frequency of sharpening skates depends on how actively the player skates. With regular training 4-5 times a week, sharpening should be done every 3 days. Professional athletes easily feel the need to sharpen their skating quality. Young hockey players should focus on the following nuances:

1. Socks move apart on the ice.
2. Burrs and roughness are visible on the edge.
3. If you run a blade across the skin, it will leave scratches.
4. Visually inspect the site.

On the bottom of the blade the layer of metal is 1-2 mm. When sharpening, the machine removes no more than 0.1 mm. After 20 sharpenings, the equipment becomes unsuitable for riding.

Another question that worries beginners is whether it is worth sharpening new ammunition. Ready-to-skate skates are only available from Reebok (T-blade model).

Sharpening Channel-Z

A special feature of this type of sharpening is the presence of an additional notch in the middle of the standard groove. It is made in the form of a square.

Channel-Z has its own sequence of sizes. The depth can be 0.8-1.6 mm. The channel width is divided into 3 types - S, M, L.

Among the advantages noted:

1. Increased maneuverability and riding speed.
2. Reducing resistance.
3. An additional recess collects ice crumbs that melt during the game. Melted water is an additional lubricant that ensures better gliding of the skate.

Among the minuses noted:

1. High cost of the service.
2. The process takes longer.
3. Sharpening requires professional equipment (Sweden).
4. Sharpening can only be done by a highly qualified specialist.

Sharpening "FBV"

For more than 25 years, a Canadian development, FBV, has been used to sharpen skates. In this case, the groove takes the shape of a trapezoid, which allows you to achieve a good efficiency when skating.

Flat Bottom “V” has a number of advantages:

1. Rigid adhesion of the blade to the ice.
2. Increased stability.

Among the disadvantages, athletes note the fragility of sharpening. Since the thin trapezoidal walls cannot withstand the load, roughness and chips appear.