Replies

1. 
   pritcharded | Mar 06, 2003 06:50am | #1

   Hi wworker

   I have both and I guess it depends on what you want to sharpen. I originally bought the Makita to sharpen planer/thicknesser knives as at the time I lived in a remote area and a professional sharpening service wasn't readily available. The Makita does a good job but these days I send my planer blades out to be sharpened. On most other tools it also does an OK job but depending on the shape of the tool I find it a bit awkward to use. You then still have the final honing to do.

   The Tormak is very easy to use. It's a well thought out device and it's easy to accurately true the grinding surface. I like it and if it's hand tools that you're primarily sharpening then I suspect you would delighted with a Tormak. The leather wheel and abrasive paste make it very easy to get a razor sharp edge.

   Ted

2. 
   AlanTurner | Mar 06, 2003 05:21pm | #2

   I finally broke down and bought the Tormek.  Sharp tools are a real pleasure; sharpening is another matter, at least for me.  I did not look at and have never used the Makita, so I have no comment.  The Tormek is fabulous.  At first, I just ground on it, and finished on an 8000 grit waterstone, and then diamond paste on maple if I was being picky.  Now I do this only for a special reason.  The leather wheel/strop with their 6000 grit paste works quite well.  When I am visited by a friend who is into edge tools, I usually invite them to bring a few.  4 chisels and 2 plane irons = one beer before dinner in terms of time spent.

   
   

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   Edited 3/6/2003 12:14:18 PM ET by s4s

1. 
   MarkRoderick | Mar 06, 2003 06:27pm | #3

   Interesting. I used waterstones for a while, then got tired of them and used sandpaper for a while, now after reading the FWW article on sharpening I've just ordered a set of Norton stones. This time I'm also buying the Veritas Stone Pond, which hopefully will keep things from getting so messy with the water. You're real happy with the edge you get on planes? The FWW article didn't speak too highly of Tormek, which is what makes me ask. All those attachments sure do make it look as if it would be a lot easier to get the basic edge than on a regular grinding stone, that's for sure.

3. 
   pauld | Mar 06, 2003 09:03pm | #4

   If you're interested in hollow-ground tools, the Tormek works very well, as does the comparable Delta for about $150.

   Don't go crazy and spend a lot of money up-front on the Tormek accessories. Most of the folks I've talked to who have them don't use them often enough to justify the expense.

   With a hollow grind on chisels and plane blades, final honing is far easier and much faster, whether you're using the "Scary Sharp" [sandpaper] system, water stones, diamond plates, or ceramic stones. IMHO, oil stones just aren't fine enough to create the edge I like to achieve and they take a lot longer than the other methods.

   FWIW.

1. 
   scooter1 | Mar 06, 2003 11:05pm | #5

   I have the Makita, and I like it because:

   It has multiple grit stones (1 stock and 2 optional).

   While it has a jig to hold down the tool, they are not necessary if you have a steady hand.

   It has an overflow tube which eliminates the mess. You will need to wear an apron.

   It is cheaper than the Tormek.

   Neither of the units rough grind the tools very well, and I often use a regular bench grinder to remove divets and the like.

   Regards,

   Boris

   "Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1927

2. 
   AlanTurner | Mar 07, 2003 01:15am | #6

   I agree with you as to the accessories.  Tehre are several, however, that one does need.  It comes with a straight grinding attachment, which is good fro plane irons, and longer chisels.  For shorter butt chisels, there is a pretty inexpensive jig.  You also need the 2 grit dressing stone, and the diamond wheel dressing jig.   I am not a carver or turner, which are waht some of the others are for.  You might check sharptoolsusa.com.  I got it from them, at a show, and they say they are the largest dealer of Tromek.  A very pleasant husband and wife team.

4. 
   Alan | Mar 07, 2003 01:45am | #7

   Jim,

   I have the Makita.  If I had it to do over again I wouldn't buy it.

   The hand tool jig they will sell you is not made by Makita.  It's an off the shelf jig made by someone else.  By removing the roller (two machine screws) it can be made to slide along the Makita's tool rest.  But the lip on the jig, which is supposed to hold it on the tool rest, is much too small.  The jig sits on the tool rest at a different angle than the tool rest, which makes set up a real hassle.

   I designed several modifications to the jig for the Makita, along with modifications to other jigs.  I finally settled on one that does make it work better, but it still doesn't work that well.  Forget the jig.  If you get a Makita you'd best learn to use it without a jig.

   I hardly ever use the Makita these days.  The only time it's worth setting up is when I have a major nick to take out of an edge.  Even then, if the nick isn't too big I grind it out on my bench stones.

   Alan