Ken,
First off, you don't need to build a frame for the Sharpening Sled to
ride on. I only suggested that if you have say a 3/8 in. diamond plate
and 2 in. stones and want to use one model over all stones without the
expense of buying the optional side supports. If your stones are 2 in.
thick varieties but some worn to 1.5 in. for example the SS2 will be
fine for all your stones. With that said, one of the benefits of the
Alsiam guide, more precisely, the positive stop detents with precision
laser engraving to set your bevel angle, allow you to easily raise or
lower the iron to contact the different heights of stones you may be
using at one setting. This is not tedious. You simply set the guide
over the new stone and slightly loosen the toggle foot clamp just
enough to move the blade to contact the new stone, check for squareness
with alignment slide and retighten. Should take seconds! The accuracy
is built in.You did not change the bevel angle at all. If the stone is
a thicker one, just loosen the iron in the jig before placing over the
stone.
Hope this answeres your question.
Tim Queeno