Blount OREGON 88-023 User manual

OPERATOR’S MANUAL
FOR MODEL
88-023
BLADE GRINDER

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Table of Contents
Page
Blade Grinder Safety and User Instructions 2
Unpacking the Grinder 5
Assembling the grinder
Adjusting the grinding angle 8
Adjusting the table plate 10
Grinding the blade 11
Balancing the blade 14
Grinder maintenance 15
Exploder view and Parts 1
Warranty 17

Blade Grinder Safety and User
Instructions
Caution!!!
B E F O R E U SI N G T H E BL A D E G R I N D E R C A R E F U L L Y
F O L L O W T H E S E S A F E T Y P R E C A U T I O N S A N D U S E R
I N S T R U C T I O N S
1. Always check to see that the power switch is in the off position and the safety lock is
removed anytime other than during use. If the power switch is not in the off position place
it there and remove the safety lock pin from the switch.

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2. Always place the grinder on a flat and level working surface making sure that it is properly
supported.
3. Always check the working area to be sure that it is free from all flammables such as shop rags,
gas cans, and other solvents. Fre uently clean all grinding dust accumulations also.
4. Always check the area around the grinder to ensure that the grindings will not be directed at
anyone or toward anything else that may be harmed.
5. Always make sure the area is free of any loose objects that could be caught in the grinding
wheel.
6. Carefully inspect all aspects of the grinder.
Are there breaks in the insulation or exposed wires on the power cord?
Has the ground terminal on the cord been broken or damaged?
Are any of the guards missing or damaged?
Does the stone have cracks or is it chipped?
Are the paper blotters missing on one or both sides of the stone?
Is the stone rated for less than the maximum spindle speed of the grinder?
Is there unusual vibration that might indicate loose, cracked or otherwise damaged stone?
7. Never operate the grinder if any of the uestions in #6 can be answered yes. If the answer to
any of the items in #6 was yes unplug the unit and remove the lock from the power switch.
Have the unit repaired or replaced before any further use .If replacing the stone test it for
structural integrity for approximately 1 minute at full RPM with no grinding. Be sure to keep all
bystanders clear of the area.
8. Always check the tongue guards for clearance. Those on the guard over the top of the wheel
should be no more than ¼” from the stone. The guard at the bottom connected to the work
table should be no more than 1/8” from the stone.
1/8”
1/
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”

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9. Never use the grinder if the clearances listed in #8 above are not correctly adjusted to these
tolerances. Never adjust the guards without first checking to see that the power switch is in the
off position and the lock is removed. Adjust the guards by first loosening the nuts holding the
guards in place. Next slide the guard toward the stone to within the proper dimension. If you
are unsure of this distance do not use the grinder. If the correct distance cannot be achieved due
to stone wear do not use the grinder until the stone has been replaced. After you have
confirmed that the tongue guards are properly adjusted you may continue.
10. Always be sure that you have proper eye protection. A pair of safety glasses or a safety shield
with the safety rating of Z87 must be worn at all times while grinding. ( ANSI Z87.1-2003 )
11. Always wear gloves and be cautious of sharp edges.
12. Never operate grinder while wearing loose clothing. Always make sure that long hair is
pulled back so that it cannot be caught in grinding wheel.
13. Connect the power cord to a properly grounded 110/120 volt outlet.

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Unpacking the grinder
Carefully remove the grinder and all components from the box. This should include the grinder plus
4 guards, hardware (4 nuts, 7 washers, and 3 plastic thumb screws) and 1 table plate.
Table Plate

Assembling the grinder
Be sure the on/off switch is in the off
position and the power cord is unplugged!!
Installing the guards
The 2 small guards install on the studs on the bottom of the stone guard on each side using one nut and
one washer per stud. The guards should be adjusted at all times so they are no more than 1/4” from
the stone.
The 2 large ‘’T” guards mount on the studs on the bottom of the main table using one washer and
one nut per stud.

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Assembling the grinder (cont.)
Installing the guards (cont.)
PLEASE NOTE: the large “T” guards are offset and only mount one direction so they
slide along the angled lip in the stone opening of the main frame.
The “T” guards must be adjusted so they are no more than 1/8” from the stone.
Installing the table plate
Mount the table plate on the left or right side of the table using the 3 washers and thumb screws.

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Adjusting the grinding angle
In order to provide a proper grind the angle of the grinding wheel to the work rest may need to be
adjusted. Adjust the angle to the original angle of the blade as provided by the OEM. This is
usually 30 degrees.
1. Unplug the grinder and remove the switch safety lock while checking and adjusting the angle.
2. Place the blade to be ground on the table plate so that the bottom, or the grass side of the
blade, is flat against the table plate.
3. Position the blade so that the cutting edge is against the grinding stone.
4. Visually check to see if the grinding angle is correct. If the angle is correct the stone will
appear to be touching the grinding edge from the top to the bottom of the edge. If it is not
touching from top to bottom the angle needs to be adjusted.
5. If the angle is correct continue on to the section on blade sharpening. If not proceed with
number 6.

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Adjusting the grinding angle (cont.)
6. Adjust the grinding angle by first loosening the nuts that lock the adjustment in place.
7. Turn the adjuster on top of the grinder to either raise or lower the grinding wheel creating the
correct angle.
8. Turn the adjuster a little at a time and check the results as in step 4. Continue to adjust as
needed.
9. Once the proper angle is achieved lock the adjustment by tightening the nuts loosened in
step 6.
LOOSEN BOTH

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Adjusting the table plate
After the correct depth and angle are set adjust the table plate to within 1/8” of the stone by
loosening the thumb screws and sliding it toward the stone. Retighten all thumb screws.
1/8”

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Grinding the blade
Always be sure that you have proper eye prote tion. A pair of
safety glasses or a safety shield with the safety rating of Z87 must
be worn at all times while grinding.
After all of the safety pre autions have been followed and the angle has been
he ked and set you an prepare to sharpen your blade.
1. Determine if the blade that you intend to sharpen is a right handed or left handed blade. Do
this by laying the blade on a flat surface in front of you grass side down against the flat surface.
As you look at the blade stand so that it is lying directly away from you. If the cutting edge on
the far end is on the right it is a right handed blade. If the cutting edge on the far end is on the
left it is a left handed blade.
Right hand cut blade Left hand cut blade
2. Place the direction switch on the grinder in the correct position. It will need to be in the
forward position for a right handed blade and in the reverse position for a left handed blade.

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Grinding the blade (cont.)
3. Ensure that the area is safe and the grinding wheel is clear of any obstructions or loose objects.
4. While sharpening the blade stand so that the face of the grinding wheel, not the edge used to
sharpen, is in front of you. This keeps you away from the path of anything that may be thrown
from the grinding wheel.
5. Place the safety lock pin in the power switch.
6. Turn switch to the on position.
7. Hold the blade with two hands on the end opposite of the one you intend to sharpen.
8. Carefully place the blade on the work table grass side down.
9. Move the cutting edge of the blade toward the grinding wheel. The grinding surface of the
wheel and the cutting edge should be kept parallel.
10. Once the cutting edge and the grinding wheel are in contact with each other begin to move the
blade back and forth from the beginning to the end of the cutting edge. Keep a steady
pressure against the blade.

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Grinding the blade (cont.)
11. Continue this motion until the edge is sharp

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Grinding the blade (cont.)
12. Do not sharpen the blade with so much pressure as to overheat the blade and turn the
metal blue. This can cause changes in the properties of the metal the blade is made from.
13. After sharpening one cutting edge of the blade hold it from the opposite end. Be careful of
the sharp edge and the possibility that the blade may be hot.
14. Repeat the process used to sharpen the first edge.
15. Turn the power switch off and remove the safety lock pin.
Balancing the blade
1. Check the balance of the blade with a blade balancer such as Oregon® part number 42- 047.
Slide the blade center hole onto the cone until it stops. Keeping your thumbs against the
blade, pull the circular magnet forward until it makes solid contact with the blade. The
magnet should hold the blade firmly.
2. Position the blade parallel with the ground. If the blade turns, dropping one tip, use the
grinder and remove a little material from that cutting edge. Check and repeat the process
until the blade moves very little when placed on the balancer.

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Grinder Maintenance
The Oregon Blade Grinders are designed to be maintenance free. They do not re uire any oiling.
Keep the motor clean and the grinding wheel in good shape and it should provide years of use.
The grinding wheel should be replaced any time that the proper grinding angle can no longer be
obtained or maximum clearance on the guards can not be achieved.
For technical service or uestions regarding the grinder call 1-800-743-3150 or contact by E-Mail
at techservice[email protected]

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Grinder exploded view
Only the parts listed below are available as replacement parts.
If you re uire other parts please call 1-800-743-3150 Ext 307
REF # Part # Description
1 88-048 Grinding stone 8” blue 36 grit
88-047 Grinding stone 8” red 46 grit
2 88-012 Forward/Reverse switch
3 88-011 On/Off switch
4 88-010 Adjustment wheel
5 88-009 Rubber foot pad(4 re uired)
88-067 Safety key (not pictured)
Optional Accessories
88-015 Mulching blade adapter
88-037 Grit collector
88-045 Diamond tip stoned dresser

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