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#61

General Tormek Questions / Re: New user; Japanese waterst...

Last post by RichColvin - May 07, 2024, 02:05:47 AM

Hello,

I recently purchased a T-8 and after sharpening a few of my plane irons and chisels I discovered that I was obviously terrible at sharpening by hand.  Considering the number of new bandages on my finger tips, the Tormek works well.

I suffer from the condition known as Gear Acquisition Syndrome, which I'm sure many of you have experienced.  The outward manifestation of this condition is wondering how to make something that works exceedingly well even better.  To that end, will the Japanese water stone allow me to produce an edge that will perform fission on a hydrogen atom? 

I joke only slightly, but is the edge produced by the Japanese stone even more terrifyingly sharp than the what can be made by the graded stock wheel and strop?

Thank you.

As you mentioned sharpening chisels, I recommend you read thru this thread:  https://forum.tormek.com/index.php/topic,4971.msg35710.html#msg35710.  The overriding idea I started the thread with is that I wanted to get pretty darn sharp, and resharpen often in a speedy manner.  

If you buy into that approach, then the TTS-100 is a great add-on, along with the 3D printed jig outlined here:  https://sharpeninghandbook.info/indexJigs.html#ProjJigTTS100.  

I take that approach, using the SG grindstone, and find it works wonderfully.  My edges are certainly not as sharp as they would be if I used a 13,000 grit stone, but I find that the cutting edges work well for me.

Good luck,
Rich

P.S., I have all 6 grindstones (SG, SB, SJ, & the 3 diamond stones), yet I find with woodworking bench tools that the SG grindstone is easiest to use. 

#62

General Tormek Questions / Re: Newbie here....

Last post by John Hancock Sr - May 07, 2024, 12:48:18 AM

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.

#63

General Tormek Questions / Re: Manual

Last post by John Hancock Sr - May 07, 2024, 12:30:04 AM

Your printed copy of the handbook should be a working book. Mine has a lot of underlining and hilighting. I note page numbers with topics in the front as well as notes in the margins.

All good tips Ken. It is a great resource.

#64

General Tormek Questions / Newbie here....

Last post by guitar_edg - May 06, 2024, 10:13:50 PM

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.

#65

General Tormek Questions / Re: best time to apply honing ...

Last post by cbwx34 - May 06, 2024, 04:01:41 PM

For quite some time now, I just occasionally  "charge" my honing wheel with paste, rubbing it in with a toothbrush.  Works for several sessions (depending on volume of course.)

My teeth look great too.... 

#66

General Tormek Questions / Re: New user; Japanese waterst...

Last post by RickKrung - May 06, 2024, 03:51:46 PM

I agree withRick about the importance of honing. I would also recommend the MB-100.

...snip...
Ken

Do you mean MB-102 (new model with FVB function) rather than the original MB-100 (without FVB)?

Rick

#67

General Tormek Questions / Re: New user; Japanese waterst...

Last post by MerryMadMick - May 06, 2024, 02:58:10 PM

Thank you all for the good advice.  All the best.

#68

General Tormek Questions / Re: best time to apply honing ...

Last post by Dutchman - May 06, 2024, 10:01:03 AM

But then it will have to be spread out over the surface before it dries imho.

#69

General Tormek Questions / Re: New user; Japanese waterst...

Last post by tgbto - May 06, 2024, 09:09:09 AM

I will also concur with the advice to stick to the SG for knives : the SJ has a tendency to leave an edge with much less "tooth", so you might achieve nuclear fission for the first few femtometers of the stroke, but after a few contacts with the cutting board you might endup with more of that dreaded slipping feeling on softer vegetables. In my experience, the ungraded SG (or fine graded SG if you want a more refined edge) followed by a thorough honing on the leather wheel with PA-70 compound will work wonders.

Moreover, the claims by Tormek that a knife sharpened with the SJ won't require honing is simply untrue, at least on standard soft to mid-hardness knives. The SJ will leave a burr, that might not be visible even under a microscope, but there *will* be soft metal at the APEX that you will want to hone anyway.

I would also second the MB-102 as being the single most important accessory. That or the longer USB if you want to properly sharpen anything longer than 8".

#70

General Tormek Questions / best time to apply honing comp...

Last post by Ken S - May 06, 2024, 08:24:45 AM

All of the demonstrations in the online classes show the honing compound being applied directly before honing. I can see the teaching value of doing this in sequence; however, it is not the most effective time to apply the compound.

The online classes mention that the honing compound works best when it is almost dry. I would suggest that it should be applied the first thing after the cover is removed to give it as much time as practical to dry.

Ken