Newbie here....

[guitar_edg]

Hi All,

I just ordered a T-8, with the HTK-806 kit.  I have not yet watched the Tormek videos, but they are on my "to do" list.

I plan to work on my utility and kitchen knives, chisels, and plane blades.  My wife's scissors if she'll let me.  Tool wise, my order should allow me work on all of the above.  And compared to my hand sharpening work, I should be able to get them all sharp.

Is there anything else I need to know?

TIA.

[John Hancock Sr]

Is there anything else I need to know?

Oh yes - tons. Seriously though, I spent my life hand sharpening and getting good results but even so it takes time to get your eye in on the Tormek. Do not be discouraged if it takes a while to get used to all of the techniques required to achieve a satisfactory result. With all of that sharpening you will become a master in no time. When I first started using the Tormek it took time to be perfectly satisfied which the results. I found myself refining my technique as I gained more experience to get really good results.

Tip 1
My son gives me those desk calendars (usually Dilbert or The Far Side) and I use the old sheets for testing edges using the "paper test". I find them the perfect size and keep a stack on my bench in the corner. Bazz from Findon Sharpening uses those flyers and catalogues you get stuffed into your letter box to test his edges. You can probably cut them into squares.

Tip 2
Be very careful of the edge, and know where your band aids are. I was sharpening some chisels the other day and I happened to lightly brush the edge against my finger, ever so gently and raise a flap of skin. It leaves the edges very sharp indeed.

Tip 3
Refine your technique. As you get more experience you can use the Tormek videos and handbook to see where to improve to increase your efficiency, and sharpness.

[RichColvin]

The Tormek Sharpening Class videos cataloged here are excellent:  https://sharpeninghandbook.info/indexBooksVideosWebSites.html

[John_B]

Watch the videos and practice. I would start with a chisel or a knife (not your best) to get a feel for the machines operation. Avoid dollar store knives; they are hard to sharpen as it is difficult to remove the burr as they are often very soft. A good test for sharpness are receipts.

[guitar_edg]

Tip 2 - Be very careful of the edge, and know where your band aids are. I was sharpening some chisels the other day and I happened to lightly brush the edge against my finger, ever so gently and raise a flap of skin. It leaves the edges very sharp indeed.

My fave is grabbing the hot end of a soldering iron.  I've done it more than once 

I have stacks of unwanted catalogs to use for testing sharpness.

I saw the list of pinned tips for newbies.  I think I have the recommended chisel already.

I'm expecting my unit on Tuesday, the 14th.

Thanks, and take care.

edg

[Ken S]

Welcome to the forum, Ed.

Move the applicable online classes to the top of your to do list and don't be afraid to watch the most applicable lasses more than once.

I started the pinned tips and tricks topic pinned at the top. (I did not choose the topic name or expect so many replies.) I am a firm believer in first learning with a chisel. It is the most basic edge and a great teacher.

Start with practice sharpening on reasonably priced tools, not junk tools, to learn.

Eep in touch.

Ken

[guitar_edg]

They lied.  It's here a day early. 

BDay on Wednesday, so I can't open it until then.  So 2 days to watch the videos.

Take care,

edg

[John Hancock Sr]

BDay on Wednesday, so I can't open it until then

Nice. If you are anything like me then the first few weeks you will be busy sharpening.

[guitar_edg]

I'm counting my chisels, planes, scissors, and kitchen knives that need to be sharpened.

I will be busy for a while.

My wife has some Cuisinart knives.  I figure I can use them for practice without really hurting anything.  Is there a possibility that I could actually sharpen them?

Take care,

edg

[guitar_edg]

Hi All,

Time for some humor.  I got my T-8 put together, and based on advice from this forum, I set to work on a cheap chisel.  I was having a weird problem, in that I could not get the angle I wanted, without the jig knobs digging into the stone. Because....  I had the jig upside down.  Once, I corrected that, I was able to work on a cheap chisel that I have on hand.

Now this chisel, I've had for a while, and I have tried to sharpen it with hand tools.  It screwed it up so badly that after 30 minutes on the 220 grit stone, and I still don't have a flat surface on the face of the chisel.

Back at it I go.

Edit to add: It's a Kobalt brand chisel.

[John Hancock Sr]

30 minutes on the 220 grit stone, and I still don't have a flat surface on the face of the chisel.

Back at it I go.

Been there. My son gave me his chisels and his "knock about" set were really badly damaged. One of the large chisels had a huge chip, took ages. I ended up going back to a belt to take it back past the chip then come back to the Tormek to finish it.

[guitar_edg]

Hi All,

I started with chisels, and I had an "OK" go with them.  Thought I'd get brave and try a "Chicago Cutlery" chefs knife.  That seems to have gone well.  I can better, that I know, but it started out well.

edg