Tormek

[Jimbo670]

Ok, I need some input and advice. I have a Tormek sharpening system with the knife jigs and the turning tool sharpeners. I am tempted to sell it because with the $$ I get I can upgrade the motor on my KMG to a variable speed with a controller. I can sell my Tormek for more than the motor and still buy an Apex sharpener.

I can set a jig up for the KMG to put the edge bevel on the knives I make and use a leather belt with some green rogue to hone. I love my Tormek but am focusing my time on blades and not turning much any more. My thoughts are that the Tormek is overkill.

How does every one put the cutting edge on their blades? The Tormek is not great for this. What would all of you do? Try not to flame me too bad.

 

[Dan Pierson]

Might as well start the responses out: I use the smallest section of my KMG rotary platen with a sequence of Norax belts followed by hand stropping. All rotary platen grinding horizontal with the edge facing me at slow speed -- you can start to see the foil edge flipping each way as you grind if you have it right.

That said, I'm sure there a lot of people here who get better edges than me.

 

[WhitleyStu]

I love my Tormek but am focusing my time on blades and not turning much any more. My thoughts are that the Tormek is overkill. How does every one put the cutting edge on their blades? The Tormek is not great for this. What would all of you do? Try not to flame me too bad.

The perfect "V" edge a Tormek can grind on a blade is hard for me to achive with my belt sander. I know from reading posts on the Yahoo Tormek group that many never get the knack of grinding knife blades on a Tormek. Others like myself favor the Tormek for its simplicity. I guess if you can achive a better edge on your KMG then the money you have invested in your Tormek is better placed in upgrades to your KMG. I would love to get a KMG just for blade refurbishing, but have my Tormek for sharpening...

 

[Daniel Sharp]

I wrote a pretty detailed description on how I use the Tormek Jigs on my 2 x 72" belt grinder.

No question in my mind, that you could sell your Tormek, but keep the jigs! I'll be updating it soon to include pictures but if you read my description, I think you'll get it.

dan

sharpenit.blogspot.com is the blog where I put it. Let me know what you think.

 

[MeDoctor]

I wrote a pretty detailed description on how I use the Tormek Jigs on my 2 x 72" belt grinder.

sharpenit.blogspot.com is the blog where I put it. Let me know what you think.

Nice job. I'm tempted to set up something like that to use as a grinding guide, but if I do that I'll never learn to free hand. Right now I can do a full flat grind or a full convex. I make a mess out of more complex blade shapes, but I'm hoping to improve with practice.

I AM thinking that the Tormek jigs might be handier than a filing vice and rod guide for plunges, but I've already started collecting parts to build a filing setup.

Again, good job Dan.

Mark

 

[sunshadow]

I use the belt grinder to bring my flats close to what I want my and establish my bevels, then I use DMT diamond stones to sharpen For what they charge for the Tormek you could get a grizzley belt grinder and still have money left for a complete set of DMT stones, and a bunch of belts. A little practice with hand honing and you will never need a contraption like the Tormek

Just my 2 cents
Obviously a lot of folks love the Tormek or they wouldn't be able to get $600 for them

-Page

 

[Lynn]

I do some sharpening for a local pub in exchange for beer. I don't want to spend too much time on them so I use my grinder to make an 'apple seed' edge. Just use the slack belt, the angle of attack changes with the use of the knife. Then to the buffer. In about 3 or 4 minutes it will be sharp and a nice strong edge.
I'm willing to learn if anyone can suggest something better.
Lynn