Modification for quickly releasing Pro-Filer skate sharpening stones

For cleaning the Pro-Filer's abrasive stones, I desired a quick-release method for them. I spent a couple hours in the shop this morning and came up with this...



With this modification completed, I timed the removal of a stone and it took 10 seconds to unscrew and drop out each of the stones. Now I have no further excuse not to keep the stones in great condition.

Doing this was very simple using a drill press. With care, you could probably do it using a hand drill too, but be sure to use techniques to drill holes square to the Pro-Filer housing.

Because I used common 8-32 threads, I first drilled out the existing holes through with a #29 drill. That's what's required for tapping 8-32 threads.

Drilling through...



I then used an 11/64 drill on one side of the holder to provide a loose-fit clearance for the screw. I cut the threads on the far side only. This picture shows another reason you want a larger hole on one side. The un-threaded part of the tap is larger than the threads...

Tapping...



I then followed that up with a countersink step so that the flat-head screws are flush with the surface...

Countersink side with the larger holes...



I used screws that were originally 1-1/2 inch long and trimmed their length to fit the Pro-Filer without protruding.

It took about 2 hours to do, and makes removal of the stones for cleaning dead simple and very fast.

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