Replies

1. 
   RandMCapozzi | Jan 10, 2003 10:15pm | #1

   I have used my father in-law's Tormek on several occasions. Granted, I have only been sharpening chisels and plane irons, but I is super easy to get an excellent cutting edge. I was suprised at how quick it is. Until this I used to spend an hour or so using stones to sharpen my tools. Now I just need to convince him to get the jointer knife jig so I can sharpen my 12 1/2" planner knives.  :-)

   The "system" is a bit pricey, but it does make the process of sharpening your tools much easier. A good investment if you use planers, chisels, or turning tools frequently.

   --Rob

1. 
   MAP | Jan 12, 2003 07:12pm | #11

   Thankyou for taking the time to write Rob.

   Mark

2. 
   AlanTurner | Jan 10, 2003 11:16pm | #2

   I acquired one in November and wouldn't be without it.  The other morning I sharpened 7 chisels and 3 pane irons, all in about 45 minutes.  This was course and smooth grinding, followed by 8000 grit waterstone honing.  The honing took as long or longer than the sharpening on the Tormek.  It has a leather covered dressing wheel which you charge with 6000 grit paste for final honing, and this does work, but I feel it rounds over the final bevel a bit too much for my taste, so I go back to the waterstone.  It's probably just me, and perhpas greater skill would let me be even faster by just working on the Tormek.  However, that said, I am pleased with the results, and the time involved in obtaining same.  Nothing is nicer than a really sharp edge tool.  The tool rest is a lot stronger and stiffer than I assumed, based on the photographs.  Sharptools USA was demo'ing it a a show, and the discount was decent.  The owner and his wife were doing the dog and pony show, and were quite pleasant to deal with.  They had a package deal, but I wanted different jigs in the package so they just switched it out, redid the pricing, and it was that easy.  No beefs.  I know they have a web site, and they sd. they were the largest dealer of Tormek in the US.  Thye throw in the "stone grader" and this is a necessary component!

   I took it home, and went back the next day because I had made a plane iron concave, and wanted it slightly convex.  He showed me how to do this; quite easy.  It is a bit spendy, but for me was worth it.  Anyone interested in my collection of former jigs, etc?  I have quite a collection.

1. 
   DJKinsella | May 15, 2003 10:45pm | #17

   S4S,

   Could you clarify your technique for going from concave to convex? I am a new Tormek owner and have had the same problem. I'm not quite sure what I'm doing wrong.  My chisels, being narrower than the stone, have turned out great.

   Appreciate the help.

1. 
   AlanTurner | May 15, 2003 10:57pm | #18

   DJ - Glad to help.  I still love the Tormek. 

   Center the iron in the stone, and take 2 or three passes to the left, then two or three to the right, going on each stroke until the iron is almost but not quite off of the stone.  In other words, using an equal # of strokes per side, you are sharpening the right side of the iron on the left side of the stone, and vice versa.  In this way you are removing more from the sides of the iron, and you get a bit of a convex edge.   I do this for a smoother; not a block or rabbet plane.  It really is quite easy, easier to do than to describe in writing.  If you are unclear, and if you got yours from SharptoolsUSA, you can call them for advice.  Very nice people.  I just called them on a bit of a question, and they were friendly and courteous.

   BTY, just saw one of theri shills on NYW last week, Sat morn.  Norm liked it too, but I don't hold that agaisnt Tormek.  Not a great demo on NYW.

1. 
   DJKinsella | May 16, 2003 12:04am | #19

   Now that you've stated the technique, it makes perfect sense. I was merely going side to side resulting in the middle being in contact with the stone more often, thereby removing more material...duh!

   Thanks for the quick response, now I can't wait to get home to try it out!

   Regards,

   Dave

1. 
   AlanTurner | May 16, 2003 05:53pm | #20

   Hey, we're both dumb.  Recall in my first post I sd. I had to go back up to the WW show to get the lesson the next morning.    I am sure you will have no trouble with this.

   Alan

3. 
   BenchMarkPhil | Jan 11, 2003 03:49pm | #3

   I have a Tormek with all the jigs, it’s a great system as the others have said. I have a review of the basic system on my web site if you are interested, here is a direct link to it:

   http://benchmark.20m.com/reviews/Tormek/TormekReview.html

   PMB

   http://benchmark.20m.com

1. 
   MAP | Jan 12, 2003 07:40pm | #12

   Thank you Bill, I checked out your web page, your review on the Tormek is very useful and I like your web page, thanks again!

   Before purchasing your euro machine did you have a chance to look at the Inca table saw by chance?

   Regards, Mark

1. 
   BenchMarkPhil | Jan 12, 2003 10:06pm | #14

   No I did not look at the Inca saw, by the time I had figured out what I wanted the Inca was out of the running mainly because I wanted a format type slider. I understand the Inca is an excellent machine though.

   PMB

   http://benchmark.20m.com

1. 
   MAP | Jan 15, 2003 05:03pm | #15

   Hi Phil,

   Have you, or anyone you know ever given any thought to the Fedler Table saw, as a stand alone machine? I know that the comb,s are getting attention again but no one , so far, has mentioned the table saw by itself.

   Regards, marcus

1. 
   BenchMarkPhil | Jan 15, 2003 09:32pm | #16

   Yes.  Most of the combo types can be found in a stand alone saw model.  My friends Rojek is a saw only model.  Pwermatic has introduced a couple of new Euor saw-olny machines, they look like they are made by Robland.  Laguna also carries these and MiniMax has a good selection of Euro saws to choose from.

    

   PMB

   http://benchmark.20m.com

4. 
   pritcharded | Jan 12, 2003 01:28am | #4

   Hi Marcus

   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 Australia 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.

   Ted

1. 
   MAP | Jan 12, 2003 07:43pm | #13

   Thanks to all for taking the time to answer !

   marcus

5. 
   lucamajuke | Jan 12, 2003 04:25am | #5

   I purchased the tormek last summer for all my needs but especially to sharpen planer knives.  The results were excellent.  I use a 20" for my rough planing and a Dewalt 12" for finish.  After sharpening and honing the knives on the Dewalt, I found the first hundred or so feet of yellow pine run through to have a mirror finish. The boards that followed were much better than those run with stock knives, leaving me convinced of the efficacy of honing planer knives.  

   That leads to the question of weather the tormek is the only machine capable of producing these results.  There are other slow speed sharpening systems namely Delta, Makita and Grizzly, but I feel the honing wheel sets the Tormek apart, not to mention the variety of jigs.  

6. 
   fdampier5 | Jan 12, 2003 04:28am | #6

   I bought the tomex and all of the jigs/options.  (very spendy)    I keep sending stuff in since I need to sharpen saw blades anyway it's just as easy to leave a dozen or so planer/jointer blades at the sharpener and pick up the batch I left the last time..

     It's a time thing,  It sure looked slick but since I'm trying very hard to get the timberframe done, I just can't take the time I need to to get comfortable with it..

7. 
   jwhinkel | Jan 12, 2003 05:24am | #7

   I've had a Tormek for several years and it is now gathering dust under my bench. I got good results, but as I got more into commercial work I found the Tormek too slow . I think the unit is much too expensive for what you get, and that's one reason why mine is for sale.

1. 
   putter | Jan 12, 2003 06:44am | #8

   How much for your Tormek?

1. 
   jwhinkel | Jan 12, 2003 04:11pm | #10

   Ref: Tormek grinder. Contact me at [email protected] or [email protected]

8. 
   DennisS | Jan 12, 2003 10:12am | #9

   For sharpening the more hard to sharpen tools like turning gouges, it's a god-send. I bought most of the jigs, even two of the gouge jigs so I can have one set up for bowl gouges and one for spindle gouges.

   I sharpened my wifes sewing scissors right after I got it home and she's never made any comments about how much I spent on it!! (grin). And the kitchen knives are kept in good order as well.

   There was a discussion a bit ago about sharpening skew chisels either flat or hollow ground - I've tried both and find that the edge on the skew produced by the Tormek is quite workable even though it ends up being hollow ground.

   It's not the cheapest way to get a sharp edge, but I find it plenty fast, consistent and .... sharp.

   ...........

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]