Replies

1. 
   fishman | Nov 06, 2003 09:58pm | #1

   I just bought a Tormek after years of wondering the same thing and fretting over the decision. I have tried nearly every type of sharpening method there is and used up several oil stones. After all the years of somewhat frustrating sharpening, I am here to tell you that it is worth every penny. In short order, I took a beat up plane blade from a recent ebay purchase, and put a perfectly square razor edge on that blade. It produced uniform full width shavings as thin as can be imagined. I have since sharpened all my plane blades and purchased the large knife holding jig. (have to get ready for carving the Thanksgiving turkey). With the large leather strop/wheel, razor edges are standard, not the exception. I, for one, will never waste another minute on a stone, a piece of glass, etc. I want to woodwork, not perfect some second rate sharpening system with hit or miss results. I would buy another in a heartbeat if I had to, but honestly, I can't imagine this machine ever needing to be replaced - just a new wheel someday.

2. 
   fretmaster | Nov 06, 2003 10:11pm | #2

   Out of 19 reviews on amazon, all but one raved about it.  That's pretty good.  I've been wondering about the system too, but WOW... the price is a rip off in my opinion.  Like the one negative reviewer said: 

   "This is a simple electric motor, a low speed grinding wheel and a water bath. It costs $390! Sure it works well. If you are a rich nut I suppose it is THE machine. Otherwise, this is just crazy. Why someone hasn't built a similar tool for $120 is a big question I have. There is nothing in the engineering of this simple tool or its jigs which justifies the very high costs. "

   I'm inclined to agree.

   Fred

3. 
   BG | Nov 06, 2003 10:24pm | #3

   Bobabeui,

   I agree with both the preceeding comments.  The tormek does a terriffic job on the chisels and blades....and its way overpriced for its technology.  The real question is how many chisels/blades do you have to sharpen and how often.  In my case I need the tormek about 2 times a year for each...the rest of the time its a brief stint on 1000 grit, 4000 grit....and even more frequency (every hour or so) on leather with green stuff....razor sharp....feather cuts....

   For right now, I pay about $7 for Woodcraft to stick it on the Tormek once or twice a year...
1. 
   TomMGTC | Nov 07, 2003 12:19am | #4

   If the tormek is such a rip-off for the technology, then why isn't anyone producing a similiar system, that produces the same results, for less money. From the rave reviews that it gets, it would seem most are happy with the purchase and the price is justified. Maybe it's time for someone to step up to the plate and sell as good a machine for less. I'd be surprised if anyone can do it as well and I will keep the tormek on my wish list.Tom

   Douglasville, GA

2. 
   Ole | Nov 07, 2003 12:34am | #5

   I have gone the opposite way.

   I have a Tormek system, but now sharpen all my chisels and plane irons on glass using the scary sharp method. I get the tools razor sharp, can actually shave the hairs on my hand and arm.

   For the scary sharp I use 3M micro abrasive film (PSA)

   http://www.toolsforworkingwood.com/Merchant/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=toolshop&Category_Code=THS

   Now I only use the Tormek to do the kitchen knifes. I would NOT buy a Tormek system again.

   Ole.... I Love the smell of sawdust in the morning....

1. 
   BOBABEUI | Nov 07, 2003 12:54am | #6

   That's interesting.. I use too use scary sharp and I get the tools sharp enough to shave with, in fact the end of the tool almost looks like it's nickel plated.. But it seems like I am forever resharpening the tools... Maybe I should be ditching the Sorby Octagonals and buy a real chisels..

1. 
   BG | Nov 07, 2003 02:22am | #10

   Bobabeiu,

   The Sorby's are great for paring...but chopping and the tip roles....Japanese are hard as ____ and can take a good chop without dulling..but for my mitts they are a bit short in some situations.  I'd like to try the two cherry/hirsch.  the list goes on and on...

1. 
   DJK | Nov 07, 2003 06:20am | #11

   I have owned the Makita wet sharpener for 9 years and couldn't be more satisfied. Chisels, irons, jointer and planer knives are razor sharp. Applies a flat not hollow grind. Less than half the cost of the Tormek.

   Dave Koury

2. 
   Ole | Nov 07, 2003 10:39am | #12

   The Tormek is fairly easy to use and do give you a fine edge on your tools, but I find that I - now using this 3M abrasive film - get a superior edge with scary sharp !! It beats all other methods I have tried. Like you I get an edge that looks like it is nickelplated and sharp as h... I really thing it gives me a more uniform result, I get it perfect every time. If you "only" use ordinary sandpaper you don't get the full potential of scary sharp.

   I tried Japanese water stones, but got tired truing them all the time and waterstones can't beat scary sharp.

   How often you have to sharpen your tools has more to do with the quality of the steel in your tools than the way you sharpen them. Tormek gives you a more fragile, concave edge than waterstones and scary sharp. Perhaps use your money otherwise and get some good quality chisels - ex. Two Cherries. The stay sharp longer.

   Another thing having an effect on your tools is the angle you sharpen them to ! Lower angels (25 dgr) for soft wood and higher angels (30/35 dgr) for hard wood. Picking the wrong angle wears your edge down quickly.

   Ole.... I Love the smell of sawdust in the morning....

3. 
   BOBABEUI | Nov 07, 2003 04:47pm | #15

   Dave,

   Thanks for your suggestion

4. 
   BOBABEUI | Nov 07, 2003 04:49pm | #16

   THanks to everyone for their input..

5. 
   HowardAcheson | Nov 07, 2003 05:41pm | #17

   FWW did an article in the past year or so on tool sharpening methods and devices. The Tormak was not their choice by a long shot, nor was the "scary sharp" method one of the preferred.

   You might see if you can get a copy at your local library.

   But, the best sharpening method is the one that you are most comfortable with and that you will use. Most dull tools are the result of the NO SHARPENING method.

   Edited 11/7/2003 9:42:48 AM ET by Howie

6. 
   watkinsjd | Nov 08, 2003 12:11am | #18

   As to the cost of the Tormek, if you buy a Baldor or some other good 8 inch, 1800 or preferably a 1200 rpm grinder, throw the junk wheels away and get some good ones, buy a quality guide/rest, etc. how close do you get to the Tormek's price?

   I think if you do the math the price isn't that much different.

   JW

2. 
   EdHarrison | Nov 07, 2003 01:21am | #7

   Thank you. That PSA film looks really interesting. I've bought stuff from that web site before and been impressed with their customer service but I must have missed this in their catalog. I've been using sandpaper and sometimes waterstones and final swipes on a long piece of leather recycled from a guitar strap.

1. 
   Ole | Nov 07, 2003 10:58am | #13

   It is far superior to ordinary sandpaper and I get an edge better than any other sharpening method.

   Museum of Woodworking Tools is the only source I have found for that 3M abrasive film, absolutely worth the money and good customer service.

   With the Tormek you have to true the stone (done with a diamond accessory) to insure it is "flat" and give you a straight edge.

   Ole.... I Love the smell of sawdust in the morning....

1. 
   Scrit | Nov 07, 2003 11:59am | #14

   Ole

   Truing the stone on a grinding wheel is a necessary part of maintainance for ALL wheel type grinders. The Tormek is no different in that respect.

   I've owned a Tormek for about 2-1/2 years. It is expensive for what it is, true, but have you looked at the opposition? The only grinder in the same price/performance range is the Makita wetstone grinder and that comes without any honing wheel. What do I use it for? Mainly grinding of hand tools - I then hone on Japanese waterstones because the Tormek doesn't get them sharp enough for me - but it is still my first port of call in a sharpening session. It is great for doing an initial grind quickly and without burning and for turning and carving tools it is simply unbeatable (for example on finger nail grinds on deep turning gouges). Complaints? One or two of the jigs do flex a little and I'm not happy doing grinding knives longer than about 10in on it - so I don't do my 16in planer knives on the machine - but I DO sharpen my Morso mitre guillotine knives on it (this alone has probably justified the cost of buying it). From a small professional shop perspective I'd give it a qualified thumbs up.

   Scrit

4. 
   Floss | Nov 07, 2003 01:56am | #8

   I have one and the key is the large water cooled wheel spinning at 90 rpm. You'r not going to burn the end of your chisel or plane iron witth this machine. I too think that the price is out of control. However the results speak for themselves. I sharpen plane irons,chisels,turning tools and carving gouges. The results are very predictable and I dont burn the temper out of the tool, which is the point. I then use water stones to hone the edges. I think a standard grinder that spins at 1200-1800 rpm is a little more versatile as far as grinding and shaping metal for special applications like scratch stocks and hand made shaper knives. Hovever the Tormek is safe reliable and for me, it protects my investment in all of the edge tools I have. I use a baldor grinder for all of my coarse work like grinding band saw blades for scratch stock and the Tormek for all of my other tools , planes, chisels etc.. I would recommend the Tormek if you do alot of work with various tools like carving and turning. I think that the control the Tormek is unbeatable when I am regrinding a few hundred dollars worth of carving gouges or putting a pefrect grind on my fingernail gouge. If you have the chance to test one , I would do that first. Then take a long hard look at the type of work you do and see if the end will justify the means.

5. 
   bszydlo | Nov 07, 2003 02:14am | #9

   I have tried various methods in the past including the glass/sandpaper system and japanese stones.  About a month ago I broke down and ordered the Tormek and am extremely pleased with the tool's performance.  I have found it extremely easy to put a sharp edge on chisels and plane blades.  It is so easy that my 12 year old son was able to sharpen chisels to a very sharp edge.  The downside is that he is always asking if there is anything to sharpen so he can use it.  Anyway, I am a hobbiest woodworker who does not have a great deal of time to sharpen tools and have found the Tormek to do everything as advertised.  If you are considering purchasing, I purchased mine from Sharp Tools USA and their service was outstanding.

   Bill