Replies

1. 
   fred6040 | Jul 12, 2002 08:31pm | #1

   Even better than advertised.  I've had one for about one year.  It does everything and more than I want.

   Good luck with your purchase.

2. 
   Denis364 | Jul 12, 2002 09:31pm | #2

   Ecomma:

   Look at the current issue of Fine Woodworking for a review of a number of sharpening systems including Tormek.

   Good Luck and be safe,

   Dennis

3. 
   Ralph4210 | Jul 13, 2002 12:35am | #3

   IMO It is the best.

   I've got one it's great, not only are ALL my tools sharp, but so are SWMBO's Kitchen Knives! Because its so quick to use, I now don't put off sharpening as long as I did.

   The instructions suggest that you sharpen to a single bevel. This is fine if you use your tools in the shop, However as most of my work is on-site I still grind to a double bevel so that I can do a quick re-sharpen on site the old way!

   Chippie

1. 
   fdampier | Jul 13, 2002 02:35am | #4

   I've owned mine for a year now, I have yet to use it.  Too busy to take the time to master it, still paying to have the 20 inch planner blades sharpened since they are too long for the jig, plus I need to have saw blades sharpened once in a while so since I'm going there anyway......

4. 
   Portugee | Jul 13, 2002 03:08am | #5

   Just got done sharpening a few chisels and 4 plane blades and just for the heck of it decided to plane end grain of black walnut with a Miller Falls #5.  Got the thinnest shavings with no tear-out. The Tormek, in my opinion, is  the way to go. After you work with sharp tools you'll see woodworking in a diferent light.

   I bought my Tormek at a woodworkers show here in Orlando, from the Sharp Tools USA booth, and after informing the gentleman doing the demos the I would not buy the machine at that time, I proceeded to pester him with questions that he so graciously answered and demoed just for me, well it turns out that my wife was so impressed with the product, and the fact that even knowing that I would not buy then the gentleman  would still demo and show me how to use the machine, that she bought the machine for me and it turns out that the guy doing the demos was none other than Mr Farris himself owner of Sharp Tools USA.

   Disclaimer: I get no kick back from STUSA for the above comments, but I surely wish I did.  AH.

   Sergio

   "Portugee" wood butcher living in Orlando Fl.

1. 
   royschack | Jul 13, 2002 03:32pm | #6

   The Tormek is great. It is very gentle but cuts surprisingly fast. A couple of things I've found is that:

   1: Always keep the drive shaft or axle well greased - I dont know if they supply it with a stainless steel shaft over there in the States but here in Australia theyre not and its a very expensive exercise if you have to bust the wheel to get it off the shaft

   2: never leave the wheel in the water dam after youve finished using it. This seems to add to the problem in 1: above and also may cause problems in freezing climates

   3: Get the stone truing tool sooner rather than later

   Enjoy it   its a great machine

   Regards,   Roy

   Edited 7/16/2002 7:52:41 AM ET by splinterhead

5. 
   HowardAcheson | Jul 13, 2002 05:06pm | #7

   It depends how sharp you want your tools. As the current issue of Fine Woodworking relates, it is not as good as many other sharpening systems. It's OK for initial blade shaping but the best system is Norton Waterstones followed by Japanese waterstones.

6. 
   jeffn7 | Jul 13, 2002 05:46pm | #8

   The tormek is tough to beat for versatility, it seems to be able to do just about anything. I don't have one (full disclosure), but it's the one I will go with when I do decide to take the plunge.

   A couple of people have said this already, you will get better results with waterstones. But what they don't say is that you are splitting hairs (sorry, couldn't resist the pun). Under a microscope, the suface that a waterstone leaves is in fact much more refined than a tormek. If only I did my woodworking under a microscope! A Tormek will put an edge on any woodworking tool, and household items, that will leave you with a whole new appreciation for what sharp means.

   You will also leave the waterstone crowd, and I'm one of them, in the dust when it comes to sharpening knives. You just can't do this well on a waterstone, I don't care how good your technique is, the stones are just too soft to freehand it.

   My opinion: get the Tormek, but also invest in a quality waterstone (http://www.japanwoodworker.com) for when you need to get something incredibly sharp.

7. 
   pritcharded | Jul 14, 2002 08:39am | #9

   Hi ecomma

   I've used a number of systems over the years and while I've be able to get a razor sharp edge with most, for me anyway I've found the Tormek to be by far the easiest method to achieve excellent results - especially so since I got arthritis in the fingers. My handplane blades are HSS (some of our hardwoods are diabolical on edge tools) and the Tormek handles them well too.

   In Australia the Tormek is no a 'give-away' but I've had no regrets about the purchase. My planer knives go to the saw doctor along with the carbide saws, router bits, etc.

   Cheers, Ted

8. 
   pnienaber | Jul 14, 2002 02:03pm | #10

   ecomma,

   I live in Australia and bought a Tormek, and over the last year many attachments (nearly have a complete set!!!). I also own Japanese waterstones (bought before the Tormek) and a diamond plate. I have reground all my chisels and plane blades (other than my L-N low-angle jack plan's blade) with the Tormek. I d not wish to get into a sharpening argument, but the blades are pretty damn sharp!!! I do not flatten the backs on the side of the large waterwheel, but on the waterstones. Very happy customer. it is great for knives and scissors too. I am not sure what to do about the low-angle jack plane's bladeas it is still very new...

   Regards, Pieter 

9. 
   LD | Jul 15, 2002 05:13am | #11

   I had never been able to put an edge on anything until I bought my tormek.  Watched the video and started sharpening.  I thinks it's great.  I broke the flat iron attachment after about a month of use (I tightened it too much), and Tormek sent me a new one 2nd day air, no questions asked.

1. 
   Elcoholic | Jul 15, 2002 10:33pm | #12

   I weighed in earlier for sandpaper and glass which serves me just fine for chisels and plane irons.  But a couple of you mentioned knives.  I cook and my son is studying to be a chef.  I've got some OK Gerbers, but I've been buying him 5 star Henkels.  So will the Tormeck do justice to everything from a 1 1/2" parer to a 10" chef?  What about rocker shaped or boning profiles?  I tried a friend's Makita flatstone machine and was not impressed at all, I did way better with my oil stones.  We're both overdue due for the semi-annual trip to the knife store for $0.50 an inch.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne