The Alisam guide will handle a 2 5/8" blade on a 1" stone. The metal
alignment clip can be removed on the older version or the latest models
have a Delrin ring that act as an alignment "slide", (using the
circumference of the round barrel to index off to square the blade),
which can easily be slipped on and off to accommodate the #8 jointer
blade.
The other two models (SS2, SS3) will accept up to a 3 inch wide blade
with the slide in place. You can buy one of these and build a simple
hardwood frame around the stone to raise the SS3 for 1 inch stone use
OR build a platform to raise the stone for use with the SS2. Of course
another option is to buy either of these models and purchase the side
supports only of the SS1, (actually this will give the SS1 the bevel
honing range of the other two models, from 5 to 60 degrees but only the
15 to 45 degree marks are lasered in so you just keep track of the
clicks past 45 or before 15).
As far as the round toggle foot clamp allowing the blade to move while
tightening, we are providing a PSA strip of sandpaper that adheres to
the bottom of the blade slot. This prevents all movement of the blade.

" Rolling a wheel through the slurry and mashing it into the grit and
muddying up the inside of the wheel's spindle. Rediculous." The wheels
of the Sharpening Sled are hardened, double rubber sealed, industrial
roller bearings and are press fit onto their "spindles". Therefore the
slurry does not enter into the bearing or ''spindle" to bearing contact
area.

The LV honing guide WAS the best guide out there. I believe we have
come up with improvements on it and all the other guides available. The
Sharpening Sled is the next generation of honing guides. Pricey? Well
it's made in the USA, supporting your neighbor next door, a quality
product, (mainly anodized aluminum, brass and steel, even the
labels/index marks are precision lasered in, not stick on labels) and
it does what it is supposed to do better than the competition. If you
feel the cost is an issue, by all means buy the next best guide from
Lee Valley. It is a proven, older design that has worked well for years
within it's limitations.
By the way I just came back from a presentation given by Mr. Robin Lee.
He was just terrific. His talk on the history of Lee Valley/Veritas,
their current products, on production methods and new products was
exceptional! What a great company with beautifully designed tools that
will be around for generations. Robin, thanks again.
Tim Queeno