Messages

Elden,

Thanks for bringing this fine thread back to life.  I do miss Ionut's posts on the forum.  He was very passionate about woodworking and very innovative.  He was a demonstrator for a large Tormek dealer in western Canada.  I hope he has just moved on to other interests and is in good health.

Ken

You're welcome.  I believe this video is part of an ongoing series.  I haven't explored the rest yet, however, I believe the exploration would be worth the effort.

Ken

Congratulations, Ted.

Be sure to watch Jeff's videos on the sharptoolsusa.com website. There is no charge for watching them more than once.  They will help you get a feel for your new Tormek.

Start with a simple tool, like a medium width chisel, nothing fancy at first.  Get a good grasp of the fundamentals. (There are several threads on this.)

Don't over oil your honing wheel. (Several threads on this also.)

At the end of the day, be sure to empty and clean out the water trough.  (ditto)

Enjoy your Tormek and keep us posted.

Best wishes,

Ken

Interesting posts, guys.

Ken

Rob, I think you are right about the DBS-22 not having much market traction yet.  It may always be a lower seller due to price.  And, I think Herman is right on when he states most people don't place high regard on their masonry (and other drill bits.  Too bad, I think it is one of the best designed, carefully manufactured Tormek jigs.

Ken

John,

Thanks for the info about Alan Holtham.  I agree, he is probably a "hired gun", although a very personable and effective one.  I enjoy his videos. 

However,  naturally, being from this side of the pond, I am partial to our own homegrown Tormek SuperHero from Missouri.

I believe there is room for two Tormek Super Heroes on our planet.

Ken

Hi, Ted.

In cannel gouges are more specialized tools to sharpen.  The Tormek isn't really designed to sharpen them.  I generally use round slipstones (Norton makes them; they are oil stones) or dowels wrapped with different grits of wet or dry abrasive.  These are tools where careful use and frequent touch up sharpening are rewarded.

With tools wider than the width of the stone, just go back and forth.  The SE-76 comes with a stop to keep the end of the tool from traveling beyond the end of the wheel.

No, there is no Tormek jig that is made specifically for one inch chisels.  However, that's not really an issue, as the standard jig can sharpen any width chisel or plane blade.

The leather wheel should polish your chisel edges.  I generally finish with an 8000 grit waterstone.  The Tormek stone has done the hard work; the flat waterstone just does the polishing.  (This is just my opinion.)

The Tormek is made in Sweden.  The Swedish economy seems healthy.  No guarantees, however, I would think Tormek is a fairly safe company.  One think I have noticed is that the Tormek is a very robust product and many of the parts are standard hardware.  There isn't much to break.  At 90 rpm, there is little strain on the parts.  I wouldn't worry about needing unavailable parts.  They have been made for many years, so finding another unit in the future should be no problem even if the company were to go out of business.

Welcome to the forum.

Ken

Hi, John.

I'm afraid I can't help you with dealers in the UK.  On rare occasion I have purchased a few very nice Moore and Wright machinist's tools from different people in the UK. (I'm in Ohio, USA)

Does Alan Holtham do a television show in the UK?

Ken

I've had the best success with price by dealing with my local dealer, when he ran store wide sales.  (Usually 20% off) 

What country are you interested in for dealers?

Ken

Yboomholay,

I have used my DBS-22 to sharpen several bits.  That certainly does not qualify me as an expert.  However, as the jig is only recently available, and expensive, I doubt there are too many old hands with it on the forum.

I have found it does a very nice job.  Is it cost efficient?  Probably not.  However, woodworking is a hobby interest for me.  The four facet profile seems very well designed.  The jig is certainly very versatile, capable of handling a large diameter range and different configurations.  I believe purchasing the SB wheel with it makes sense, as most bits are high speed steel.

I have no experience with the Drill doctor, so I can't speak about it.

Ken

The problem with masonry bits is that they often live in the "git er done" environment.  All too often the alternative to touch up sharpening is just leaning more on the drill.

Turners often place their Tormeks next to the lathe for quick touch up sharpening.  The turning chisels are often stored in protective cabinets or special canvas wraps.

Kitchen knives, even dull ones, are usually stored in specially designed protective wooden blocks.

No one likes to bang through dovetails with a dull chisel.

Masonry bits rarely receive such respect.  I used a lot of them over the years.  (I installed telephone lines.)  I carried bits from 3/16" carbide bits for my Yankee push drill up to 24" long 5/8" bits for drop wire.  Careful workers kept their bits "loose" in a tool box.  The chosen bit was generally the one which was not too dull or too chipped.  I have even on occasion drilled anchor holes in softer masonry with a wood bit in a brace.  For most of my working years, we did not have hammer drills.  In the early days, we burned through numerous underpowered, high speed drills.

If anyone is thinking of making money with the Tormek sharpening masonry bits for contractors, beware.  While the Tormek, especially with the SB stone can certainly do touch up sharpening with carbide bits, anything more is probably not cost effective.

Being retired now, I have not had the need to sharpen any of my masonry bits.  I will try to sharpen them "early and often".  Sharpening, as opposed to major shaping, is where the Tormek shines.  I happen to have an SB stone.  I won't hesitate to sharpen my larger bits with it.  The process will not be rushed, and would not be time effective for a business sideline.

Ken

Well done, Ron.

You and your wife have discovered the joy of well designed tools. 

I love wooden cutting boards.  Having the board the right height makes an incredible difference in comfort.  It's worth taking the time to get the height right.

I happen to do most of the chopping in our kitchen.  I have noticed that my knives left the factory with sharp edges on the back side (precisely square, with sharp and uncomfortable corners).  If you or your wife tend to cut with a hand on top of the blade rather than on the handle (as I do), you might find your knives can be more comfortable by removing the sharp square edge along the back of the knife.  This could be done with the Tormek or with a diamond paddle. These were suggested by another poster on this forum, and work well. (Diamond paddles are not expensive; around twenty some dollars for a set of three.)  They are useful for many things.

My wife and I find it enjoyable to cook together.  I do most of the chopping and she does the stove work.

I hope you and your wife have many happy years enjoying the new knives, and good eating, too.

Ken

Jeff,

I think you may have your SE-76 jig turned end for end.  If you are standing on the side of your Tormek with the switch, you should be able to read the label on the SE-76 right side up.

By the way, you are not the first one to do this!

Keep us posted.

Ken

Nice posts, Herman and Elden.  Restoration of treasured tools is certainly satisfying.  It is a nice way to honor both your mother and her special friend.

Ken

Back to the original question:  Ron, how have the Forschner knives worked for your wife?

By the way, one of the things which sold me on the Tormek was an article in Fine Woodworking several years ago featuring several tools which were kinder on the hands.  While reading the article I had fresh (painful for my hands) memories of flattening the backs of several chisels for a dovetail class. I have since learned some better ways to flatten chisel backs, however, the Tormek certainly makes life easier on the hands and done away with the "overheating tool blues".

I hope you and your wife are enjoying your new knives. 

Ken