An adapter according to one aspect is an adapter for fixing to a shaft of a grinding machine a grinding wheel having a through-hole where the shaft is inserted. The adapter is provided with a main body having at least a portion thereof inserted into the through-hole, the main body including an outer wall that contacts a wall of the through-hole and an inner wall that forms an opening that corresponds to the shaft, and a plurality of reinforcing parts provided in predetermined intervals along a circumferential direction of the main body. Each reinforcing part extends from the inner wall to the outer wall, and a notch is formed in each reinforcing part.

A grinding wheel for use in a skate blade sharpening system includes a metal grinding ring having an abrasive-coated outer surface for contacting a skate blade to be sharpened during sharpening, and a generally disk-shaped hub to which the grinding ring is fixedly mounted. The hub and grinding ring are configured for mating with an arbor on a rotating shaft of the skate blade sharpening system. Generally the hub is of a less expensive and lower-density material than the grinding ring. In one embodiment, the hub is of a lightweight material such as thermoplastic.

A grinding wheel for use in a skate blade sharpening system includes a metal grinding ring having an abrasive-coated outer surface for contacting a skate blade to be sharpened during sharpening, and a generally disk-shaped hub to which the grinding ring is fixedly mounted. The hub and grinding ring are configured for mating with an arbor on a rotating shaft of the skate blade sharpening system. Generally the hub is of a less expensive and lower-density material than the grinding ring. In one embodiment, the hub is of a lightweight material such as thermoplastic.

A mandrel assembly may be used with a rotary power tool to provide a reliable and stable connection between the rotary tool and a tool accessory. The mandrel assembly provides a quick-connect/quick-release connection between the tool output shaft and the accessory via a clamping action. In particular, the mandrel assembly is movable between a first configuration in which the accessory may clamped tween a clamping element formed on one end of the mandrel and a collar which surrounds the mandrel and a second configuration in which the accessory may be loaded onto or detached from the mandrel assembly. Movement from the first configuration to the second configuration, and from the second configuration to the first configuration each include axial motion in combination with a rotation of the mandrel in the same direction relative to the collar.

A mandrel assembly may be used with a rotary power tool to provide a reliable and stable connection between the rotary tool and a tool accessory. The mandrel assembly provides a quick-connect/quick-release connection between the tool output shaft and the accessory via a clamping action. In particular, the mandrel assembly is movable between a first configuration in which the accessory may clamped tween a clamping element formed on one end of the mandrel and a collar which surrounds the mandrel and a second configuration in which the accessory may be loaded onto or detached from the mandrel assembly. Movement from the first configuration to the second configuration, and from the second configuration to the first configuration each include axial motion in combination with a rotation of the mandrel in the same direction relative to the collar.

A skate blade grinding system used to sharpen and profile the blades of ice skates. The skate blade grinding system can include a housing that includes an elongated slot for receiving the blade of an ice skate for sharpening, and clamp jaws for retaining the skate. The skate blade grinding system can automatically operate a grinding wheel and move the rotating grinding wheel back and forth along the lower face of the skate blade to grind the skate blade.

A skate blade grinding system used to sharpen and profile the blades of ice skates. The skate blade grinding system can include a housing that includes an elongated slot for receiving the blade of an ice skate for sharpening, and clamp jaws for retaining the skate. The skate blade grinding system can automatically operate a grinding wheel and move the rotating grinding wheel back and forth along the lower face of the skate blade to grind the skate blade.

A skate blade grinding system used to sharpen and profile the blades of ice skates. The skate blade grinding system can include a housing that includes an elongated slot for receiving the blade of an ice skate for sharpening, and clamp jaws for retaining the skate. The skate blade grinding system can automatically operate a grinding wheel and move the rotating grinding wheel back and forth along the lower face of the skate blade to grind the skate blade.

A skate blade grinding system used to sharpen and profile the blades of ice skates. The skate blade grinding system can include a housing that includes an elongated slot for receiving the blade of an ice skate for sharpening, and clamp jaws for retaining the skate. The skate blade grinding system can automatically operate a grinding wheel and move the rotating grinding wheel back and forth along the lower face of the skate blade to grind the skate blade.

A skate blade grinding system used to sharpen and profile the blades of ice skates. The skate blade grinding system can include a housing that includes an elongated slot for receiving the blade of an ice skate for sharpening, and clamp jaws for retaining the skate. The skate blade grinding system can automatically operate a grinding wheel and move the rotating grinding wheel back and forth along the lower face of the skate blade to grind the skate blade.