For comparison, other relatively cheap powered sharpening machines, from reputable sources. (not a complete list)
These are more expensive, but they look more adjustable (perhaps except for Sparx), have good reputations, and you can buy replacement parts, and contact the companies.
10. Wissota 911 sharpener:
https://wissota.com Starting at $1125 (+shipping?)
The video makes operation pretty clear.
You can adjust the ROH, rather than be stuck with one or two.
They cite $6/sharpening. Sounds high. I get maybe a hundred or more simple sharpenings out of a $100 Pro-Filer. But maybe if you only dress the wheel for one ROH, it is cheaper?
11. Blademaster SPB850
Possibly the biggest sharpening company.
http://blademaster.com/web/usa/en/blademaster/460-spb850.htmlSkate Sharpener with holder (bench model) $1095 (+shipping?) (their lowest end model)
Note: "Setup and Training included with all new skate sharpeners.": Doesn't seem possible with their cheapest machines, like this one. I wonder where that training is.
Perhaps they only mean the documents and videos they have online - some of which are hard to find, though there are a lot of videos on Youtube? The catalog says something about "hands on training".
The catalog says this has 1/2 hp motor, 120 V * 7.5 A = 900 watts, which would be 1.21 hp input electric power.
12. Blademaster SPB750
http://blademaster.com/web/usa/en/portable-machines/598-spb750.html Figure Skate Sharpening Starter Kit (portable) $1291 (+ shipping?)
Same machine, extra equipment.
13. Sparx (automatic, possibly light duty, less adjustable than above machines; I was told the supplies are expensive if you want to make major changes. But we are only talking about a $49 wheel (from discount sellers) for about 40 sharpenings - much less than the $6/sharpening Wisota mentions. I don't know whether you can modify the rocker profile, or re-establish a figure skate sweet spot [rocker radius transition point], etc.) Not many figure skaters go for this brand, though they have a figure skating bundle, and I don't know if picky hockey skaters who want to re-profile their blades go for it either.
https://sparxhockey.com Starting at $700.
14. Others - see
http://salemskates.com/skate_sharpeners.html. I don't know anything about the other brands mentioned here.
Topic: Some really dubious skate sharpeners :) (Read 3493 times)