help with new T4 stone shedding black bits

[dismaldunc]

hi everyone
Just started with our new machine, its working great but the stone is shedding lots of odd black bits (they seem to be coming out of the stone where it gets wet) see attached pic... just wondered if this is normal as even chatgpt is not helping??? I have tried cleaning them off (they wipe off easily) and changing the water but they just keep coming back.

thanks for taking the time to read this

Dunc J

[John Hancock Sr]

Weird!!!  No, that is not normal. The two things that immediately come to mind are impurities in the water reacting with something in the wheel or a faulty wheel.

What water are you using? Does it have a high minreral content?

In any case contact Tormek support who can advise you.

[dismaldunc]

Hi John
Thanks for the reply, The water is just plain tap water, i'm in the south west of Scotland and the water here is really soft (and tasty). i thought it was odd, i can wipe them off (the bits are kind of rubbery and sticky). I have e-mailed Tormek but not had a reply (hence this post! )

[John Hancock Sr]

OK then. Definitely not the water.

It did just occur to me that it may be algae. If you leave it wet for some time it may be that. I always drain the water and hand the wheels after every sharpening.

In any case they will reply. Some times it takes a few days.