Flat grind jig using Tormek gear?

[Splat]

Forgive me if this has already been discussed but I searched and didn't find anything. I'm a total novice knifemaker. MOF, I'm still building my NWGS because those pesky bills keep getting in the way. I've been thinking lately about jigs for full flat grinds, my preferred blade grind, and maybe for sharpening on the belt grinder. I spotted the Tormek Bench Grinder Mounting Set BGM-100 and their knife jigs in a woodworker's magazine and got to thinking about somehow using them with the belt grinder. What's nice about their knife jigs is you just flip it over and you should have the same angle again. Anyone tried something like this?

(edit) Sorry mods... maybe this should have went in the knifemakers' forum....?

 

[cbwx34]

I've never done it... but recalled this blog someone posted... maybe it'll give you some ideas.

http://sharpenit.blogspot.com/2007/12/using-tormek-jigs-with-2-x-72-belt.html

cbw

 

[changeofseasons]

While playing around, I've gotten the Tormek bar system to work with a belt grinder. It will work ok for sharpening flat V edges if you have a slow motor and a belt that isn't too aggressive and it works ok as well for reprofiling. You can use a simple protractor with an arm to set the edge angle. This said, I reprofile and repair knives with a simple knife table and use stones to sharpen flat edges.

IMO the real benefit in using the tormek jig system with a belt grinder is for hollow grinding edges more precisely and efficiently than using the tormek style stone and hone. You can still use water if you use micron belts and if the motor is tormek slow. You also don't have to skip from a low grit stone of varying size and then move to a smaller leather hone with fine grit compound.

For knife making and performing full flat grinds, I don't see how this system could work. It seems reason that you wouldn't be able to pull off getting a low enough angle to grind the knife blade and not grind into the jig itself. I can only see it working for hollow grinding the side of a blade against a contact wheel.

If you ever prove me wrong I'd love to see it

 

[Trace Rinaldi]

I bought a jig many moons ago and could never get it to work right.. I just had to learn to flat grind by hand... Now Im glad I did, but I could have saved $300...