How do I sharpen my meat slicing machine?

Question

I work in a delicatessen. Our meat slicer hasn't been sharpened for about a year. It's an Omas C35E, and has a built-in sharpening mechanism on top. I'm pretty sure I know how it works - it has 2 grinding stones which you squeeze together on the blade - but the machine cost about £800 so I don't just want to have a go at it, not really knowing what I'm doing and break it.

Cheers.

Answer 1

they have people in the yellow pages that come and sharpen machines

Answer 2

Hmmm... I'm not sure about your model, but I thought typically the two stone shaprener is just a general knife shapener not a slicer blade shapener.

If the sharpening stones are facing the blade, then yes, while the machines is running you squeeze the stones together.

Answer 3

Adjust the slicer to zero thickness and remove the guard.

The two stones will tip toward the blades and then there will be a device to bring the stones closer together or you push the stones onto the blade. Spray both sides of  the blade with some cooking spray. Turn the motor on and apply the stones onto the blade as it runs.

Just use a light amount of pressure on the stones and be very careful since you will be using the slicer with the guard off. Do not sharpen for more than a minute.  Unplug the slicer and wipe down thoroughly wearing a safety glove.

We use to sharpen our slicer about once a week and never did any harm to it.