RE: Tormek sharpening system

LoboMike wrote:
>
> Anyone have experience/opinions about the Tormek Sharpening System.
> Expensive, is it worth it?
>

There's a Yahoo Tormek group you might want to look into.
You can read posts without joining.

The unit with the standard jig works well on most bench chisels
and plane irons. Doesn't work with short chisels like butt
chisels or short carving chivels. Most of those can be done
with another jig - at an extra cost of course.

The leather strop wheel I got took a bit of work to get even
close to flat and round - still have a high spot I can't
seem to get rid of.

Tormek says you can flatten the backs of chisels and plane
irons on the sides of the wheel but it's not easy to come
down on the side of the spinning wheel perectly flat. Just
a touch on an edge and you have more work to do. It's also
hard to lift the flat back off the side of the stone with
out tilting it. Again a problem. So, even with the Tormek
you'll still need some stones or scary sharp set up for
flattening the backs of bench chisels and plane irons.

Even when you use their "special grading stone" and go
from coarse to fine mode the wheel still leaves scratches
that the strop, with their special polishing paste, doesn't
take out. The polishing paste is actually abrassive
and will round over a chisel's corners so if you're not
careful you can screw up all the sharpening you've done.

There is a special (available at an additional cost ) leather
strop for craving chisels but it doesn't go down small
enough for detail V chisels etc..

If you want to spend some bigger bucks, there's a flat
plate lap with different plates that is smaller, quieter
doesn't require sloshing water and seems to get things
sharper quicker from an outfit called WoodArt. "Only"
$695 US.

If I've got a lot of sharpening to do I'll get out the
Tormek and do all my edge tools that could use either
a sharpening or some touch up. Otherwise I just use
japanese water stones for just a tool or two. Even
using the Tormek, I'll finish sharpening on the water
stones where things happen at human speed.

Would I buy this unit again? Sure, but 'm a tool freak
and am sans SWMBO.

charlie b

I too have a Tormek w/all the jigs. And now you can buy a Japanese
waterstone
created just to fit the Tormek...hey! It's only money....!

Philski

Richards wrote:

> LoboMike wrote:
> > Anyone have experience/opinions about the Tormek Sharpening System.
> > Expensive, is it worth it?
> >
> > TIA
> I have the Tormek with most of the jigs. It works very well for
> everything that I've sharpened with it; however, I don't use it to
> sharpen the blades on my Lie-Nielsen planes. For those two planes, I
> use four grades of waterstones and finish with a leather strop. The
> Tormek gave a good to great finish on the plane blades, but the
> waterstones gave an even better finish. The waterstones produced a
> finish that produced a thinner shaving and reduced effort when pushing
> the plane. If it were necessary to replace the Tormek, I'd buy another
> in a heartbeat.

I find touching the final edges up with a Hard Arkansas or my 8000 grit
(gold) waterstone puts a superb finish on most of my tools.

Philski

charlie b wrote:

> LoboMike wrote:
> >
> > Anyone have experience/opinions about the Tormek Sharpening System.
> > Expensive, is it worth it?
> >
>
> There's a Yahoo Tormek group you might want to look into.
> You can read posts without joining.
>
> The unit with the standard jig works well on most bench chisels
> and plane irons. Doesn't work with short chisels like butt
> chisels or short carving chivels. Most of those can be done
> with another jig - at an extra cost of course.
>
> The leather strop wheel I got took a bit of work to get even
> close to flat and round - still have a high spot I can't
> seem to get rid of.
>
> Tormek says you can flatten the backs of chisels and plane
> irons on the sides of the wheel but it's not easy to come
> down on the side of the spinning wheel perectly flat. Just
> a touch on an edge and you have more work to do. It's also
> hard to lift the flat back off the side of the stone with
> out tilting it. Again a problem. So, even with the Tormek
> you'll still need some stones or scary sharp set up for
> flattening the backs of bench chisels and plane irons.
>
> Even when you use their "special grading stone" and go
> from coarse to fine mode the wheel still leaves scratches
> that the strop, with their special polishing paste, doesn't
> take out. The polishing paste is actually abrassive
> and will round over a chisel's corners so if you're not
> careful you can screw up all the sharpening you've done.
>
> There is a special (available at an additional cost ) leather
> strop for craving chisels but it doesn't go down small
> enough for detail V chisels etc..
>
> If you want to spend some bigger bucks, there's a flat
> plate lap with different plates that is smaller, quieter
> doesn't require sloshing water and seems to get things
> sharper quicker from an outfit called WoodArt. "Only"
> $695 US.
>
> If I've got a lot of sharpening to do I'll get out the
> Tormek and do all my edge tools that could use either
> a sharpening or some touch up. Otherwise I just use
> japanese water stones for just a tool or two. Even
> using the Tormek, I'll finish sharpening on the water
> stones where things happen at human speed.
>
> Would I buy this unit again? Sure, but 'm a tool freak
> and am sans SWMBO.
>
> charlie b

On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 15:36:20 -0700, "Andy" <[email protected]> wrote:

>LoboMike,
>
>We looked over the market and decided to splurge on the Tormek. We love it.
>
>Sometimes it pays to go for the best.
>

well if you want the best you better open your wallet far more (G)

--
Knight-Toolworks & Custom Planes
Custom made wooden planes at reasonable prices
See http://www.knight-toolworks.com For prices and ordering instructions.

"LoboMike" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Anyone have experience/opinions about the Tormek Sharpening System.
> Expensive, is it worth it?
>
> TIA
> --
> LoboMike
>
> "You don't need decorated words to make your meanin' clear. Say it
> plain and save some breath for breathin'."

My opinion is that after seeing it demonstrated at the past woodworking
show, it looks pretty awesome. However, at $400 for starters, you'd better
have a LOT of sharpening to do, IMHO.

todd

I have virtually every accessory for the Tormek. I also have other grinding
wheels with tool rests, 1"x42" belt sander, waterstones to 8000 grit and
diamond stones to 1200 grit (green DMT). I use them all when sharpening
depending on what I am sharpening and what mood I am in. I love to hone
chisels and plane irons on waterstones because of the sound of the metal on
the waterstones and the peacefulness of the work. I use the belt sander for
knives, using a 15 micron silicon carbide belt and leather belt with .5
micron honing compound. I also use it to touch up chisels. I use other
grinding stones for very short chisels. The Tormek, I can use for virtually
everything. I think that where it shines is with carving chisels, such as
gouges. Although I have used it for regular chisels, plane irons, knives,
scissors, etc. If you can afford it, it is a nice tool to have around. If
not, there other far cheaper ways to accomplish the same thing.

Would I buy it again if I lost this one? Probably.

Preston
"LoboMike" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Anyone have experience/opinions about the Tormek Sharpening System.
> Expensive, is it worth it?
>
> TIA
> --
> LoboMike
>
> "You don't need decorated words to make your meanin' clear. Say it
> plain and save some breath for breathin'."
>
>

LoboMike wrote:
> Anyone have experience/opinions about the Tormek Sharpening System.
> Expensive, is it worth it?
>
> TIA
I have the Tormek with most of the jigs. It works very well for
everything that I've sharpened with it; however, I don't use it to
sharpen the blades on my Lie-Nielsen planes. For those two planes, I
use four grades of waterstones and finish with a leather strop. The
Tormek gave a good to great finish on the plane blades, but the
waterstones gave an even better finish. The waterstones produced a
finish that produced a thinner shaving and reduced effort when pushing
the plane. If it were necessary to replace the Tormek, I'd buy another
in a heartbeat.

Can you sharpen jointer and planer blades without having something like a
Tormek?


"Steve Knight" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Tue, 18 Nov 2003 11:39:18 -0700, "Philip Lewis" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>
> >And one other point that I overlooked - the Tormek WILL NOT burn an edge.
It
> >keeps the tool very cool while grinding. I have toasted my share of tools
on
> >my slow-speed (1725 RPM) grinder and when I sharpen my gouges, it does a
> >great job without bluing the tool.
>
> but because of that you have less speed. for real steel removal nothing
beats a
> good belt grinder with zirconia belts.
>
> --
> Knight-Toolworks & Custom Planes
> Custom made wooden planes at reasonable prices
> See http://www.knight-toolworks.com For prices and ordering instructions.

I use the Delta sharpening system to sharpen y 12 1/2" and 6" planer and
jointer blades and have for a couple of years when it first come out. Did
need all of the \
accessories that the Tormek offered. Quite pleased with results.
Ken




























"Mike" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Can you sharpen jointer and planer blades without having something like a
> Tormek?
>
>
> "Steve Knight" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > On Tue, 18 Nov 2003 11:39:18 -0700, "Philip Lewis"
<[email protected]>
> wrote:
> >
> > >And one other point that I overlooked - the Tormek WILL NOT burn an
edge.
> It
> > >keeps the tool very cool while grinding. I have toasted my share of
tools
> on
> > >my slow-speed (1725 RPM) grinder and when I sharpen my gouges, it does
a
> > >great job without bluing the tool.
> >
> > but because of that you have less speed. for real steel removal nothing
> beats a
> > good belt grinder with zirconia belts.
> >
> > --
> > Knight-Toolworks & Custom Planes
> > Custom made wooden planes at reasonable prices
> > See http://www.knight-toolworks.com For prices and ordering
instructions.
>
>

On Sun, 16 Nov 2003 17:34:58 -0700, Richards <[email protected]> wrote:


>I have the Tormek with most of the jigs. It works very well for
>everything that I've sharpened with it; however, I don't use it to
>sharpen the blades on my Lie-Nielsen planes. For those two planes, I
>use four grades of waterstones and finish with a leather strop. The
>Tormek gave a good to great finish on the plane blades, but the
>waterstones gave an even better finish. The waterstones produced a
>finish that produced a thinner shaving and reduced effort when pushing
>the plane. If it were necessary to replace the Tormek, I'd buy another
>in a heartbeat.

this is the key the tormek is a grinder above all else. the same with the makita
it will do the bulk of the work but if you want a really sharp edge you need to
finish on a stone or SS or whatever. buffing will not replace final grits.
not all tools need this but planes and chisels do.

--
Knight-Toolworks & Custom Planes
Custom made wooden planes at reasonable prices
See http://www.knight-toolworks.com For prices and ordering instructions.

On Tue, 18 Nov 2003 11:39:18 -0700, "Philip Lewis" <[email protected]> wrote:

>And one other point that I overlooked - the Tormek WILL NOT burn an edge. It
>keeps the tool very cool while grinding. I have toasted my share of tools on
>my slow-speed (1725 RPM) grinder and when I sharpen my gouges, it does a
>great job without bluing the tool.

but because of that you have less speed. for real steel removal nothing beats a
good belt grinder with zirconia belts.

--
Knight-Toolworks & Custom Planes
Custom made wooden planes at reasonable prices
See http://www.knight-toolworks.com For prices and ordering instructions.

LoboMike,

We looked over the market and decided to splurge on the Tormek. We love it.

Sometimes it pays to go for the best.

Andy


"LoboMike" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Anyone have experience/opinions about the Tormek Sharpening System.
> Expensive, is it worth it?
>
> TIA
> --
> LoboMike
>
> "You don't need decorated words to make your meanin' clear. Say it
> plain and save some breath for breathin'."
>
>

And one other point that I overlooked - the Tormek WILL NOT burn an edge. It
keeps the tool very cool while grinding. I have toasted my share of tools on
my slow-speed (1725 RPM) grinder and when I sharpen my gouges, it does a
great job without bluing the tool.

Philski
"Steve Knight" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Mon, 17 Nov 2003 15:36:20 -0700, "Andy" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>
> >LoboMike,
> >
> >We looked over the market and decided to splurge on the Tormek. We love
it.
> >
> >Sometimes it pays to go for the best.
> >
>
> well if you want the best you better open your wallet far more (G)
>
> --
> Knight-Toolworks & Custom Planes
> Custom made wooden planes at reasonable prices
> See http://www.knight-toolworks.com For prices and ordering instructions.