Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/958383
of hollows and how to sharpen for each shallow, moderate and deep. Offer to let staff sharpen the skates and then use them on the ice to better understand the different hollows. Once staff seems to have a general understanding of all of this, be sure to schedule a follow-up session where you can dive in deeper with those that will be responsible for handling the skates. DRESSING THE WHEEL AND RADIUS OF HOLLOW Once staff has been prepped through the meeting, they are ready to sharpen. The first step in beginning the sharpening process is to dress the wheel. Dressing the wheel places an arched contour on the grinding stone based on a radius setting which is determined by the dressing tool and the swing arm of the sharpener. Dressing the wheel allows for custom Radius of Hollow (RoH) settings for the skate blades. In general, a smaller RoH (deeper hollow) provides more bite while a larger RoH (shallower hollow) allows for faster gliding speeds. SHARPENING Before you begin to sharpen the skate blade, you will need to determine how the edges have worn from the last sharpening. Manufacturers have tools to help you determine the level of the skate blade. A simple dime will do the trick as well. Hold the skate with the boot down and the blade up and place the dime on the skate blade on the toe, middle and heel of the skate. Ideally, the dime will be level on the skate blade throughout. More often than not, you will have a spot or an entire blade that is not level. In this case, you will need to use the skate sharpener to put an edge back on the skate and re-center the hollow on the blade. If your sharpener is equipped with a vertical grinding wheel you can perform a cross grind and start with a fresh blade. This option will not be available on most rink sharpeners. In this case, you will need to use the adjustment levelers on the skate holder to adjust the edges on the skate blade. When you are ready to start sharpening, place the skate on the skate holder and install the clamping assembly to secure the skate to the holder. Be sure that there is enough blade left to protect the skate holder from interacting with the sharpening wheel. The direction of the skate is a matter of personal preference. Once the skate is secure in the holder be sure to tuck in any loose laces to ensure the holder stays flat on the sharpening table. Turn on the sharpener, dust vacuum and put on all applicable personal protective equipment. With the wheel at full rpm, begin the sharpening process by placing an indicator mark on the toe and the heel of the skate. These marks are a quick bump on the wheel and do not require SAFETY FIRST. Anytime an employee is using a skate sharpener, it is strongly recommended that they wear all necessary personal protective equipment including eye, ear, nose, and mouth. It is also recommended to remove any jewelry or loose clothing that could become a potential entanglement issue prior to using the sharpener including rings, watches, bracelets, necklaces, lanyards, etc. USICERINKS.COM MARCH.APRIL.2018 / 19 , It is imperative staff are familiar and comfortable with all pieces of sharpening equipment.