Anyone use the TORMEK sharpening grinder

BMK

BMK

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...in knifemaking applications? It looks like a quality piece of equipment.

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I have a few years experience with both the Tormek T7 as well as the older version in former jobs, mostly sharpening knives & scissors.
The machine also really excels in sharpening all kinds of chisels as well as tanto shapes on blades.
It sure is a quality piece of equipment that has a lot of possibilities.

I'm currently in the process of getting a T7 model for myself, complete with the new SB-250 Black Silicon Carbide stone which is specially designed for all kinds of hardwearing steels.
IMO the original SG-250 grey stone wears a bit to fast when sharpening hss and other wear resistant steels.
 
The Tormek is a very well built machine that offers a lot, however, I got rid of mine a long time ago and have never regretted doing so. I found it to be very S-L-O-W and delivering only mediocre results. If jig controlled cooled touch ups are what you're looking for then this isn't bad but if you're looking to modify tools, cut bevels, or make repairs then this isn't IMO the tool for the job. A belt grinder would likely suit most people a lot better, it did me.
 
The water cooled system is nice, no worries about drawing temper, but it removes metal slowly.. It does a great job on scissors, pretty good on chisels, plane irons, turning tools, etc. if you take the time to set up the jigs, some of which can be a bit fiddly. If you sharpen a lot of gouges you will put grooves in the wheel that can be a problem when you sharpen a straight bladed tool, and truing the wheel takes both time and life out of the wheel. If possible I sharpen my tools in groups so I can do all the curved edges first and only true the wheel once before doing the straight blades. I rarely use it for knives, primarily for grinding out damage. I find the grinding wheel is a bit too coarse an abrasive to go straight from it to the honing wheel without a couple intermediate steps. If I used it more I might get another grinder and set it up with one of the finer waterstone wheels that are available, but so far a bit of honing on bench stones before going to the honing wheel has been sufficient
 
Thanks for the feedback. I got the TORMEK supergrind 2000 and will use it for touching up & honing dull blades and final sharpening of blades that leave the KMG.
 
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