Messages

Johan,

My first question would be which electric power your country has. Thelabel on this motor looks like it says 240 volts, 50 hertz. That is the standard electric power for Europe. (For the US and Canada, it is 110 volts, 60 hertz. If the label does not match your national power, the answer is a defnite no for purchase.

You should contact Tormek support (support@tormek.se). Support works Monday through Friday. Unless you have a long enough time window to cancel, I would recommend that you cancel the sale.

Ken

I appreciate all of the replies. I hope they will benefit many more members than just me.

Over the years, I have seen numerous questions from new members wanting advice to built "the ideal stand and storage area" for their Tormeks. I have been reluctant to suggest final specifications. Too much can change. I am more of a "cardboard box" kind of designer. I have a child's table top I rescued from the trash fifty years ago. I fashioned legs and supports from odd pieces of 2x4. Over the years, I have used it as a stand for a drill press, a jointer, and a couple dry grinders as well as a Tormek. I have also used my Workmate, my workbench, my dining room table, and my Tormek Work Station as work stands for my Tormek. None of these have been "ideal", although they all work.

I will adapt to my new seated working. Adapting won't be a big deal. I will share the process and appreciate your help.

Ken

I do not know when the new Tormek angle setting jig will be for sale. I do know that working prototypes had been made before the end of August 2023 when I visited Tormek. Part of my visit included a meeting of the Design Team. (Per was also part of that meeting.

We presently have all the necessary tools to set all of the functions with more than enough accuracy. Being almost fifty years away from my high school math classes when Dutchman introduced his tables, With considerable effort, I was able to understand them and become fluent with them. With some focused study, CB's Calcapp in within understandability by any of us. It requires just a reasonable effort more than spoon feeding. Having seen the new jig demonstrated, I will be switching to it for at least most of my work. However, I can see where some will prefer staying with programs like Calcapp instead of purchasing a the new angle setting jig. Both paths will get the job done.

Ken

Along with the fascination of precise instruments, we should sharpen in temperature controlled rooms and wear gloves to eliminate transferring body heat to our tools. 

Ken

(Just kidding. . .)

One of my favorite quotes, which, I believe applies to many topics posted on the forum, is from Prussian General, Carl von Clausewitz: "The enemy of a good plan is the dream of a perfect plan". I have personally watched Tormek expert, Stig Reitan, sharpen expertly using the traditional Tormek technique. Is the traditional Tormek technique "the perfect plan"? I don't know. Having watched Stig using it, I have full faith that it is a good plan. I would be reluctant to vary too far from it without substantial reason.

The FVB (frontal vertical base) is a useful accessory. It is not magic. It allows the support bar to be elevated enough to clear the plastic locking knobs of the knife jig and the two horizontal sleeves. This could be done inexpensively with grub screws; however, in my opinion, the convenience and efficiency of an FVB more than justifies the extra cost.

Master "the good plan" before chasing "the perfect plan".

Ken

The first time I heard the term "plasters" was when Tormek started including them with new machines. Yesterday I had occasion to hear plasters from a different perspective, literally from the ground up. I have a tradition ith two of my neighbors. Whoever happens to be home when the trash or recycleing s collected brings the empty cans from the street to the garages.

Forgetting my age, I started to bring up the recycling cans. The next thing I knew, I was face down at the edge of the street and could not get up. Other than a few minor scrapes, I was not injured; I just could not get up. Several good neighbors came to help me. One of them mentioned that he was an army medic. Explainng what he was doing, he told me that he was placing several plasters on my hand and face. Noticing his use of the word plasters, I asked him if he was exposed to British English He said that he had studied British English, presumably while growing up in Africa.

I am grateful for good neighbors especially for one skilled in plasters.

Ken

Thank you all for your replies. They affirm my belief in the value of community.

CB, I remember Wootz using a stool and sitting whie using his Tormeks. I have thought about setting up two Tormeks in aivoting fashion.

John, I will discuss the vertigo possibiity with my doctor.

Wain, I have blood tests every six monthe as part of my wellness program. Vitamin D deficiency showed up until I added it as a supplement. It is no longer showing as a deficiecy. However, I will discuss it with my doctor. I think highly of Dr. John Campbell who posts videos on youtube. He frequently metions vitamin D.

Rick, You and I have frequently exchanged emails over the years. In fact, you were my inspiration for posting this topic. I have long considered the probability of switching tothe ighter weight T4 as I get older. Facing the reality of having to work sitting down really did not occur to me until last fall. Thank goodness he Tormek is such a versatile machine. And, I am grateful that this forum is such  good hearted, sharing group.

Ken

We have a forum member who needs our help.  In this case, the member is me. For the past six months, I have had deteriorating balace and general exhaustion.

My Tormek is presently setup in my basement workshop. This is very inconvenient, as going up and dowstairs is hazardous with my balance. I believe I can handle one or two round trips.
I don't know how long lastingave these symptoms will be. After numerous tests, blood tests, and scans. we have a very good idea of what I do not have and no clue as to what I do have.

Working with the Tormek has been an important part of my life since 2009. I think I could contnue if I switch to a sitting position. Your thoughts and suggestions will be most appreciated.

Ken

Dean,

New Tormeks come with an eight year warranty when registered. This warranty is generally transferrable if, like yours, the Tormek is sold. Be sure to ask support about it when you contact them.

Ken

Dean,

Welcome to the forum. Contact Tormek support (support@tormek.se).

Keep us posted.

Ken

John,

In studying the online classes, I have noticed several things which, while mentioned, I would like to see further emphasized. One such item is the manner of using honing paste. I like Wolfgang's expression, "make it your custom". He mentions how the honing paste is most effective when almost dry and that some users apply it early enough to allow it to dry while they are grinding. This seems so logical. It requires no extra time or hardware. It maximizes the efficiency of the honing paste. It should be partof our custom. It should be part of our habitual work habit and mastered before we even consider searching for other honing compounds.

A chef coordinates food preparation so that everything is ready to be served at the same time. We should alter our routine so that the leather honing wheel is ready for use when the sharpening part of the process is completed.

Ken

Thank you for your help unfortunately I am not very good at new technologies or in English.

To answer your question yes the grinding wheel seems to have a notable defect I myself sold tormek sharpeners for a few years and is also used a lot (parents and grandparents butcher) I have never seen a grinding wheel that arrived rounded on top or veiled by being new (I have enough to straighten it but for the principle I do not find that logical) and especially the grinding wheel lost 2mm in 4 Victorinox knives so relatively tender.

Good to you again, thank you for your help

Welcome to the forum, Rusty

Here is a lnk to one of the Tormek online classes which may help you. Start at 31 minutes into the class.

https://www.youtube.com/live/R2ifZQOJA7k?si=D7tJauOLoqXhRVch

Notice how ittle of the honing paste Wolfgang uses. Using too much paste is a common problem. In addition to being wasteful, using too much paste also decreases the efficiency of the paste.

Although other pastes can be used, PA-70 has been Tormek's paste of choice for many years.

Ken

Hello everyone I just bought a new T4 that arrived with the veiled and not flat grinding wheel on top the seller tells me that it is quite normal and that you must always straighten before the first use could you confirm or not this information in advance thank you

(original post translated into English)

Ken

One of my happy memories from visiting Tormek was meeting Alex Carmona. In addition to being a nice guy, Alex is a consummate artist and craftsman. He was one of the featured artists displaying atthe Tormek Gallery.

Here is a link to his gouge sharpening video:

https://youtu.be/6s5dxcHVDtU?si=IcoZqC8L8yms4RNh

Here is a link showing Alex at work:

https://youtu.be/O7x6O_1sRAI?si=YQfzDih_ZsKaboEq

Ken