help with skew jig

[Elizabeth]

Hello.  I'm new to turning and sharpening.  I was gifted a Tormek T-7 with all the jigs.  I'm about to return the whole thing because I can't get it to sharpen.  I've studied the manuals and watched the videos many times.  Had a friend over to help.  He is a "certified" tech. person.  Tormek showed him how to use the machine.  He didn't use any of the jigs.

For repeatability, I can't do it the way he did.  I've shaped some of the chisels based on the Tormek way.  After hours of shaping I finally got a good edge on a roughing gouge, a skew chisel, a spindle gouge and a parting tool.  Haven't shaped or sharpened the rest as I've lost confidence in the system.

Yesterday, I tried "touching-up" the edge of the skew after some time on the lathe.  35 minutes later I still didn't have a burr on ONE edge and my bevel was faceted.  I repeatedly refreshed the wheel with the stone.  The jig for skews is very tricky to use.  As it doesn't attach to the bar, like the other jigs do, any minute variation in hand movement creates a facet.  Since it's metal resting on round metal there is no good hold.  I wish this jig had been like the others.  I have no problem with the gouge jig.  It's a breeze to use...

I really need some help before I give up.  Thank you.

[Herman Trivilino]

Were you able to successfully sharpen simpler tools, like a chisel or a knife?

[Jeff Farris]

Elizabeth,

First, it isn't automatic, and there is a learning curve. You can't give up after just a few attempts. The first thing I want to point out is that you've picked one of the most difficult tools to sharpen (regardless of method) to start with. That's not a good plan.

Your friend may be a "certified" tech person, but if he doesn't use the jigs, he isn't certified by Tormek. Our philosophy is that the jigs will give anyone the leg up they need to LEARN to sharpen. They will not do the job for you, but they will make it much easier.

Watch the turning video. Then watch it again. Read the turning tool book, then watch the video again. Try some simple things and learn as you go.

[Elizabeth]

Thank you!  I sharpened a bench chisel first.  Made a hash of it!    Did the skew next because it's a flat face....  Then the gouges.  The bar has "catches" on it so the gouge jig doesn't quite move smoothly on it, but I have managed to get a single bevel. 

Tormek has given me the number for Tec support in the US.  I'm going to call today and ask a few basic questions and clarifications.  I have watched the video and re-read the manuals about six times.  I still need some clarification on a few points.  I hope these will be answered today.

I don't want to have to give up and purchase a whole different system.  The one I have, with the attachments, cost right under $900.  It's a big investment.

Thank you for your responses.

[Ken S]

Elizabeth,

Welcome to the forum.  There is an old Spanish proverb:  "No se ganó Zamora en una hora."  (Zamora was not won in an hour.  The battle of Zamora, I believe in 1492, was the last Moorish stronghold in Spain.)

Give yourself the luxury of a much of a much longer time period to learn sharpening and turning.  With regular work, you should be amazed in a year.  It is worth the effort.

Best wishes,

Ken

[Elizabeth]

Thank you, Ken.  I was raised in Madrid...

An update:  I spoke with Tormek tech support yesterday.  VERY HELPFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I got my questions answered and there will be follow-up on some issues with wobble in the honing wheels, rusted accessories, and an angle master that doesn't register on the stone when set at 75*.  Sam (tech) asked me to take pics and a short video clip so he could see the problems.  I emailed these yesterday.

It would have been nice to have detailed installation instructions on mounting the accessories, chisels in the jigs, and the jigs to the machine.  My manuals just say "mount them", now how...  I'm getting there by trial and error.

Sam recommended I purchase the slow speed grinder from Woodcraft, with the Tormek grinder mount accessory, so I can shape the tools prior to sharpening with the Tormek.  I think this will be helpful and less time consuming.  I should receive it in 7-10 days.

Thank you for your replies.

[Ken S]

Elizabeth,

Your frustrations with using the Tormek remind me of going through the same process with a mat cutter.  I have done black and white photography most of my life.  After a number of frustrating experiences with framing shops, I finally bought a C&H mat cutter.  It cost as much as a Tormek today, and this was twenty years ago!  It's a fine, professional machine.  I could not get good results with it for several months.

By the six month mark, I had developed a good technique with it.  I combined my hobby interest with machine tool layout with mat cutting.  After that, I was able to cut mats with far more precision than the average pro shop.  Not only more precise, but quickly as well.  The most fascinating thing was that after all the struggle, I reached a level where solutions to special matting applications came very quickly.

Do not become discouraged with using your Tormek.  You are correct; the instructions are often sketchy at best.  This situation is slowly improving. Jeff's turning DVD is very good instruction.  Tormek's latest effort with Alan Holtham and the DBS-22 drill grinding jig is also very informative.  I hope Tormek will follow through with some better instruction of the basics.  I have good reason to believe they will.

Your initial speed bumps will help to build a foundation of good experience.  None of us come out of the womb knowing how to sharpen.

Here are a few specific thoughts:

Spend time getting the most basic things right.  Jeff's "LEARN" is right on.  Herman's suggestion about starting with a basic chisel is excellent.  When you can produce a razor edge on a chisel, and are able to easily repeat the process, you will have become proficient with setting up your machine and truing the wheel.  Your hands will start to feel the sharpening process.

When you can do that, try working on your half inch spindle gouge.  Don't even look at your other turning tools until you can sharpen your basic tool well and repeatably.  Build on a solid foundation.  Your confidence and pride will grow.

Keep your stone refreshed often with the coarse side of the grading stone.  Also, you can get the best coarse surface by using the diamond truing tool.  Use it lightly and often to refresh the edge when you are shaping.

  Enjoy the journey. Learn from your journey. You will win Zamora.

Ken   

After about six months