Tormek Sharpening Question

he was trying to hide his envy

Mike Schwing from Md.

>Don't worry about it. I use a Tormek for 99.99% of my sharpening needs. Once you have your grinds set the way you like them the Tormek is probably the best thing going - in my opinion. It is lousy for reshaping, but that only needs to be done rarely. I use a reg'lr old grinder for that task but the Tormek is the only sharpener that receives any real use.

Some folks like to grind their tools with a burr, but the rotation of the Tormek doesn't lend itself to that with typical sharpening jigs because it rotates away from the gouge instead of towards as with a normal grinder. You _can_ still get a tiny burr sometimes but not like some guys like.

FWIW, I almost never ever resort to any of the fancy jigs that are accessories for the Tormek but instead use homemade jigs. If yours didn't come with it, the profiled leather wheel is a very valuable accessory, but I understand the quality of the new ones isn't up to par with previous wheels.

Nobody has ever used one of my Tormek sharpened tools and given it back to me as too dull.

I love my Tormek-

steve antonucci

>Right now, it is the only thing in my shop that I can't "upgrade". Some folks will argue that it's slow, expensive, they don't like green... but deep down, they want it.

Tell your instructor that you'll take his tools home and SHARPEN them for a free lesson.

Steve

Re: Tormek Sharpening Question *LINK*

Stuart Johnson

>I like my Tormek for bowl and spindle gouges but so far have not had much luck with the skew. I use a belt grinder for quick touch up on the scraper. It is especially great for scissors and knives.

There is a good Tormek user group at:


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/tormekusers/

Re: Tormek Sharpening Question

David Propst

>As has been said, the Tormek is not suited to shaping unless you have a lot of time on your hands. However for maintaining a bowl gouge it is as fast as any other jig and grinder. You will love using it.

Turn much, sharpen often,

David

Re: Tormek Sharpening Question *LINK*

Lyn J. Mangiameli

>Ah, I've disappointingly come to learn sharpening is more like religion than science for many.

If you'd like to have a deeper understanding of the advantages of the Tormek for your turning tools, go to the link below and get the pdf of the article I did for More Woodturning on basic principles of sharpening turning tools. Again, as with religion, it may help confirm (or in this case, shore up) your faith, but is unlikely to convince those of different belief.

FWIW, I have almost every sharpening system out there: both the new and old LV power sharpening systems, two vertical belt sanders, a 6 inch high speed grinder with the TruGrind jig, two big Delta low speed grinders with Kelton jigs, as well as the Tormek (not to specifically mention a host of hand sharpening methods).

With the choice of most anything I could want, I use for Tormek for 90 percent of my turning tool maintanence, and it is the only grinder that has touched my Glaser Gouges. As others have said, it is handy to have a dry grinder for initially establishing a grind on a tool (assuming you need to, I never did for my Glasers, or most of my other tools), but for maintainance of an existing geometry, the Tormek is King--sharper edges, longer edge life, and less tool wear (which means longer tool life).

Other methods work for many (again, just as do different religions), but the scientific evidence weighs most heavily on the side of the Tormek. Enjoy it, and don't hesitate to contact me personally if you'd like any help getting the most out of it.


http://www.fholder.com/Woodturning/lyn.html)

Tormek For Me

John McAtee

>Ken, over the (many) years, I've tried most things and the Tormek works the best for me. I can sharpen my gouges, skews, parting tools, bedan, scrapers, etc. very quickly and easily.

Me too

MikeinCapeMay

>It's expensive but in my opinion well worth it.

Re: Tormek Sharpening Question

John K Jordan

>>My instructor made a face when I told

>him I used the Tormek.

That's part of the "I learned to do it this way so everyone should" mentality coupled with a bit of arrogance, pride, jealousy, and perhaps even a touch of ignorance about what the Tormak can do.

I've met people who were actually resentful of the Tormak since now an unskilled beginner can sharpen more quickly and get better edges than they can after they, the expert, spent many hours of practice to develop their skill. It's almost like they want you to suffer and pay your dues before being accepted into their club.

One book I read even recommended buying inexpensive tools at first since you will certainly grind them to stubs learning how to grind properly. This is unnecessary with the Tormak. Not only can you get a perfect edge the first time, your tools will last far longer since so little metal is removed each time.

I know one experienced turner who turned up his nose at the Tormak until he started looking closer at my tools.

I agree about shaping a tool, especially wide skew chisels or thick scrapers - the Tormak is not the thing to use. I use a slow-speed bench grinder for this.

BTW, one thing I did was buy a extra tool support bar so I could keep one in both sharpening positions without switching.

So my thoughts: pity the poor guy, smile and listen and nod your head when he talks, then go home and sharpen with the Tormak and live in bliss. :)

JKJ in East TN

Re: he was trying to hide his envy

Eric

>Mike, great response. When you said that nobody has ever complained that your tools aren't sharp enough, does that apply to hand tools? I have heard that the Tormek doesn't sharpen plane blades and chisels nearly sharp enough. Is that fiction?

Tormek and flat woodworking tools.

Don Thompson - Cutler Ridge, Florida

>Eric, let me jump in here.

Firstly, I have a Tormek. The question of whether it will sharpen chisels and plane blades "enough" is, in the end, subjective. Sharp enough for what or whom?

I can get a much more refined edge, and more sharpness, by using water stones or the Veritas Power Sharpening System. The tools work better for me sharpened that way. YMMV.

Examined with a microscope, one can see what is happening. The Tormek stone, when graded fine, is roughly equivalent to 1200 grit. The leather wheel is used with a polishing paste. It is too big a jump. The edge is rough and striated, albeit polished.

That said, there are plenty of folks who are completely satisfied with the stright-tool edge that they get with the Tormek. And, of course, if the woodworker, for whatever reason, keeps up with sharpening more often because of the Tormek purchase, then he is better off then without it.