Hey Folks,
A new member posted a comment that Ken S responded to that got me thinking that it might be fun (and perhaps educational) to hear about the various flubs/bloopers that we've experienced. Especially when getting to know our new machines.
While mine is not all that funny, looking back at it I have to laugh at myself so...I'll start it off with my lame excuse for a blooper.
As some may know, I'm about a month into my Tormek experience and I'm getting ready to be a sharpening vendor at a Farmers Market.
With that in mind, I'm wandering about my shop, garage, kitchen, neighbor's houses, etc..looking for things that I can try to sharpen.
I came across a Woodsman Pal. It's got a somewhat curved edge as well as a hook at the end. The backside of the hood needed to be ground flat. Like you would with a chisel. No problem I thought. My mighty Tormek was made for this.
So I go to flatten the back of the hooked part of the blade. It's going along rather well. Albeit somewhat slow. So I'm pressing a little firmer than I had with the chisels. It's progressing and finally it's all nice and smooth.
I go to wipe off the part of the blade that I was focusing on and there's this red substance on the blade. What the hell?
I wipe it off again. And it's still there.
Bewildered, I go to grab a clean shop rag and when I reached for the rag, I see that my index finger was dripping blood. Not gushing. Just dripping a bit.
I guess for some reason I figured that my skin was tougher than metal and would be unharmed while the stone had other ideas and tried to sharpen my index finger between the first and second knuckle.
Oddly enough, it was never even the least bit uncomfortable while it was happening. Just the cool water running over my finger. Never even thought about it grinding away at my skin.
Like I said earlier, it's not nearly as entertaining as Ken's post but still...
It's been part of my learning curve.
Y-Not,
Your blooper post is most interesting. In my opinion, it goes far beyond mine because it makes me think. My post just relayed the problem I had from neglecting to tighten a locking screw. As most of us true rarely, I think the logical solution is to keep a check list with the truing tool. I think the best check list in this case is the simplist. Just something like a small index card. We are too often obsessed with production speed. (How do I shave fifteen seconds off the time it takes to sharpen my three kitchen knives? While this is a legitimate concern for farmers market sharpening, for a home sharpener like me who enjoys sharpening, it seems like seeing how quickly I can devour a gourmet meal.) I digress; the check list should be simple and quick enough that one is not tempted to omit it.
As moderator, I am always concerned with how readily future readers can access information. With that in mind, I will start a new topic inspired by grit and grinding pressure thoughts generated by your post. Thanks for making me think.
Ken
ps you have been doing a good job of preparing yourself for the farmers market.
I have a new T-8 and I have a planer. so I decided I need the SVH-320 planer/jointer attachment. had to try it out soon as I unpacked it. took the planer blades off my planer and clamped it down to sharpen. the blades were less than the minimum 13mm width in the svh handbook. mine were 12mm, so my owners book for the planer says they are disposable blades !!!!.. now stuck with a new SVH-320. MORAL of the story "look before you leap" !!!
Wise advice, Grizz. "We are too soon old and too late schmart."
I wish we had more posts in planers. Would you please post a caveat there for us?
Ken
Quote from: Y-Not on May 09, 2018, 04:51:22 AM
Hey Folks,
A new member posted a comment that Ken S responded to that got me thinking that it might be fun (and perhaps educational) to hear about the various flubs/bloopers that we've experienced. Especially when getting to know our new machines.
While mine is not all that funny, looking back at it I have to laugh at myself so...I'll start it off with my lame excuse for a blooper.
As some may know, I'm about a month into my Tormek experience and I'm getting ready to be a sharpening vendor at a Farmers Market.
With that in mind, I'm wandering about my shop, garage, kitchen, neighbor's houses, etc..looking for things that I can try to sharpen.
I came across a Woodsman Pal. It's got a somewhat curved edge as well as a hook at the end. The backside of the hood needed to be ground flat. Like you would with a chisel. No problem I thought. My mighty Tormek was made for this.
So I go to flatten the back of the hooked part of the blade. It's going along rather well. Albeit somewhat slow. So I'm pressing a little firmer than I had with the chisels. It's progressing and finally it's all nice and smooth.
I go to wipe off the part of the blade that I was focusing on and there's this red substance on the blade. What the hell?
I wipe it off again. And it's still there.
Bewildered, I go to grab a clean shop rag and when I reached for the rag, I see that my index finger was dripping blood. Not gushing. Just dripping a bit.
I guess for some reason I figured that my skin was tougher than metal and would be unharmed while the stone had other ideas and tried to sharpen my index finger between the first and second knuckle.
Oddly enough, it was never even the least bit uncomfortable while it was happening. Just the cool water running over my finger. Never even thought about it grinding away at my skin.
Like I said earlier, it's not nearly as entertaining as Ken's post but still...
It's been part of my learning curve.
I have laughed dramatizing it in my mind, not because of what happened to you, it is to remember all the times I cut myself in the process of sharpening, anyone would think that manipulating a single blade of a scissor with a 60 ° angle should not be something dangerous .... because it is, it can be as sharp as a razor.
Tormek already thought about this when he sent us the Band-Aids as part of the sharpening kit.
Quote from: Y-Not on May 09, 2018, 04:51:22 AM
I guess for some reason I figured that my skin was tougher than metal and would be unharmed while the stone had other ideas and tried to sharpen my index finger between the first and second knuckle.
Oddly enough, it was never even the least bit uncomfortable while it was happening. Just the cool water running over my finger. Never even thought about it grinding away at my skin.
I've done that too. I'm not proud to admit this, but but more than once.
Kind regards,
Rich
Quote from: Y-Not on May 09, 2018, 04:51:22 AM
...
...I see that my index finger was dripping blood. Not gushing. Just dripping a bit.
I guess for some reason I figured that my skin was tougher than metal and would be unharmed while the stone had other ideas and tried to sharpen my index finger between the first and second knuckle.
Oddly enough, it was never even the least bit uncomfortable while it was happening. Just the cool water running over my finger. Never even thought about it grinding away at my skin.
...
I was told early on that abrading off your finger tips and bleeding on a stone was Right of Passage. :o
Here's a little Oops, I did the other day... moral, pay attention to your tips!
(Whether you "lift" or "rotate"). >:(
(https://forum.tormek.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=3606.0;attach=2145)
Pics were taken under a 10x loupe, so really not that bad... but still... ::)
Another "blooper" more funny than anything else, is when your shirt rubs against the stone, and starts soaking up the water and running down your shirt/pants/etc. (Am I alone in this?) :-[
Quote from: cbwx34 on May 10, 2018, 06:35:22 PM
Another "blooper" more funny than anything else, is when your shirt rubs against the stone, and starts soaking up the water and running down your shirt/pants/etc. (Am I alone in this?) :-[
LOL that happens to me all the time.
Quote from: cbwx34 on May 10, 2018, 06:35:22 PM
Another "blooper" more funny than anything else, is when your shirt rubs against the stone, and starts soaking up the water and running down your shirt/pants/etc. (Am I alone in this?) :-[
OK. I've done that one also.
I often tell my pastor, "say that again, but this time do it like I'm not smart". Maybe I should start my Tormek responses with :
"say that again, but this time do it like I'm not a sharpener"
Kind regards,
Rich
cb, I get my shirt wet often by leaning over the stone to sharpen my kitchen knives, seems the roll of the wheel contacts my roll !!!!!!!!!!! lol
First blooper is that I got a T4 and realized after using it for a few weeks that I should have gotten a T8!
Second blooper is thinking the bandaids that came with the Tormek were for when you get cut by the item you are sharpening. That wheels' edge's are relentless against raisined finger tips and I am already out of those bandaids.
Quote from: Wyo6050 on May 25, 2018, 05:09:25 AM
First blooper is that I got a T4 and realized after using it for a few weeks that I should have gotten a T8!
Second blooper is thinking the bandaids that came with the Tormek were for when you get cut by the item you are sharpening. That wheels' edge's are relentless against raisined finger tips and I am already out of those bandaids.
Always being curious... what do you find lacking in the T-4?
If I understand your 2nd blooper... you can take the grading stone fine side and hold it against the edge of the wheel for a few rotations... this should knock off the sharp edge. (Also keeps that edge from 'digging' into some knife shapes, like recurves).
Quote from: cbwx34 on May 10, 2018, 06:35:22 PM
Another "blooper" more funny than anything else, is when your shirt rubs against the stone, and starts soaking up the water and running down your shirt/pants/etc. (Am I alone in this?) :-[
Interesting. This does not happen for me. I think for two reasons.
First, I sharpen knives (on the vertical USB grinding into the blade) from the front (horizontal USB) side, from a sitting position, rather than from behind (vertical USB). I do not do well standing for long periods, so opt for the sitting position. I initially started grinding from the front while standing or sitting on a very tall stool, but found I didn't like not being able to see the blade/stone interface very well. I really like seeing it all from the front as i think it gives me a better view while lifting the blade along the tip/curve. I have had to learn to hold the jig/knive assembly firmly on the USB as it is pulled up and away, but that has come with experience.
Second, I use a second USB on the front, horizontal position for holding a laser module for lighting the LOC, so my shirt/roll is somewhat blocked from contacting the wet stone. The sitting position helps greatly in that as the exposed stone is more at chest height and my "man boobs" are not so great as to create a hazard.
Rick
Quote from: RickKrung on May 25, 2018, 03:53:34 PM
Interesting. This does not happen for me. I think for two reasons.
First, I sharpen knives (on the vertical USB grinding into the blade) from the front (horizontal USB) side, from a sitting position, rather than from behind (vertical USB). I do not do well standing for long periods, so opt for the sitting position. I initially started grinding from the front while standing or sitting on a very tall stool, but found I didn't like not being able to see the blade/stone interface very well. I really like seeing it all from the front as i think it gives me a better view while lifting the blade along the tip/curve. I have had to learn to hold the jig/knive assembly firmly on the USB as it is pulled up and away, but that has come with experience.
Second, I use a second USB on the front, horizontal position for holding a laser module for lighting the LOC, so my shirt/roll is somewhat blocked from contacting the wet stone. The sitting position helps greatly in that as the exposed stone is more at chest height and my "man boob" are not so great as to create a hazard.
Rick
Yup... that would make the difference. ;)
I thought of another 'blooper' that happened a while back... a bit more serious. Early on I started using DMT-XXC diamond stone to keep the wheel true. I would just brace it against the USB, and tip it down until it contacted the stone. (Works well.) Anyway, one day I set it up, but put the USB closer to the stone, to the point the DMT just fit in the slot. When I hit the power, the stone pulled that stone (and almost my hand) right thru the slot.
THAT was a lesson learned. ::)
Ken,
The T4 works, though I think I'd get along better with the SB wheels that are offered for the T8 for my turning tools.the extra lip on the water trough isuseful too, as when I'm going to town on my hand plane blade I tend to fling water like an orca in a seaword tank.
I've adapted my own magnet system, which is pretty ingenious because it involves magnets from hard drives and duck tape.
Iir would be cool if a worn down SB wheel could fit into he T4. Has that been done?
I'm not real sure but the T-8 wheel is 2 " wide (50mm), the T-4 is 1 5/8" (40mm) wide, so I don't know if the shaft is long enough to hold a 2" (50mm) wheel.
Quote from: Wyo6050 on May 26, 2018, 03:28:09 AM
Ken,
The T4 works, though I think I'd get along better with the SB wheels that are offered for the T8 for my turning tools.the extra lip on the water trough isuseful too, as when I'm going to town on my hand plane blade I tend to fling water like an orca in a seaword tank.
I've adapted my own magnet system, which is pretty ingenious because it involves magnets from hard drives and duck tape.
Iir would be cool if a worn down SB wheel could fit into he T4. Has that been done?
Wyn6050,
I don't think the problem is the T4. You may be overfilling the water trough. I fill the trough until the water just starts running over the surface of the grinding wheel. Letyour machine run. The grinding wheel will absorb water until it is saturated. After the initial filling, add water slowly just ubtil the water starts to flow again. Keep the motor running. I do not fill to the line; I think that is too much water.
Most of the water I used to spill was spilled during removing the trough at the end. An inexpensive turkey baster from the grocery store solves this problem.
Personally, I feel that not having an SB-200 for the T4 is no loss. I have found several choices which I prefer. The first wheels I used were the Norton 3X wheels in either 46 or 80 grit. Either grit will do. I use them wet. They work very well for reshaping turning tools. They only cost around fifty dollars US. They require some easy, inexpensive adaptation, however, they get the job done quickly and inexpensively.
My nxt step up was a D-Way 180 grit CBN wheel. These work dry or wet. (Wet use requires either Honerite Gold or Tormek ACC.) CBN wheels work very eell.
I think the two best wheels for the T4 are Tormek's DWF-200 and DWC-200. I find the Diamond Wheel Coarse at 360 grit cits faster than either the GG or SB at 220 grit. I find the T4 with SG-200, DWC-200 and DWF-200 a very versatile combo. Add the SJ-200 if you like.
I bought the SB-250 years ago. Most of my sharpening is with carbon steel; I rarely use the SB. Today, I would buy a diamond wheel instead.
I have certainly made my share of bloopers, however, I admit they were caused by my judgement lapses in technique.
I would not have made the marketing decision to include bandaids (plasters). I'm sure the original intent was to make the point in a light hearted way that Tormek sharp is very sharp. Tormek has put a lot of engineering into making the Tormek safe. Including plasters with all new units, to my, telegraps the message to expect being injured, a poor sales message.
Ken
Quote from: Grizz on May 26, 2018, 05:55:10 AM
I'm not real sure but the T-8 wheel is 2 " wide (50mm), the T-4 is 1 5/8" (40mm) wide, so I don't know if the shaft is long enough to hold a 2" (50mm) wheel.
I thought the same... but proved myself wrong (https://forum.tormek.com/index.php?topic=3344.msg20259#msg20259). :-\
Bravo, CB! Excellent sleuthing. I believe this will be an increasingly less pertinent issue. The adjustable water trough on the T8 will provide water to smaller diameter wheels. And, once we become accostumed to diamond stones, I believe the blackstone will essentially collect dust. It will still work as well as ever, however, if you try the DWC-200 on your T4, I doubt you will ever long for an SB-200 again.
For real grinding horse power in a compact package, try a D-Way 80 grit eight inch CBN wheel on your T4!
When I was using my Norton 3X wheels on my T4, 12mm fender washers made great spacers. Use them between the Tormek and the wheel (inside) to prevent and slipping.
Quiet time spent analyzing the different Tormek models is well rewarded.
Keep poking around!
Ken
Quote from: cbwx34 on May 26, 2018, 01:55:27 PM
Quote from: Grizz on May 26, 2018, 05:55:10 AM
I'm not real sure but the T-8 wheel is 2 " wide (50mm), the T-4 is 1 5/8" (40mm) wide, so I don't know if the shaft is long enough to hold a 2" (50mm) wheel.
I thought the same... but proved myself wrong (https://forum.tormek.com/index.php?topic=3344.msg20259#msg20259). :-\
Outstanding! Thanks for the link and answer!
Quote from: Ken S on May 26, 2018, 10:42:49 AM
Wyn6050,
I don't think the problem is the T4. You may be overfilling the water trough. I fill the trough until the water just starts running over the surface of the grinding wheel. Letyour machine run. The grinding wheel will absorb water until it is saturated. After the initial filling, add water slowly just ubtil the water starts to flow again. Keep the motor running. I do not fill to the line; I think that is too much water.
Most of the water I used to spill was spilled during removing the trough at the end. An inexpensive turkey baster from the grocery store solves this problem.
Personally, I feel that not having an SB-200 for the T4 is no loss. I have found several choices which I prefer. The first wheels I used were the Norton 3X wheels in either 46 or 80 grit. Either grit will do. I use them wet. They work very well for reshaping turning tools. They only cost around fifty dollars US. They require some easy, inexpensive adaptation, however, they get the job done quickly and inexpensively.
My nxt step up was a D-Way 180 grit CBN wheel. These work dry or wet. (Wet use requires either Honerite Gold or Tormek ACC.) CBN wheels work very eell.
I think the two best wheels for the T4 are Tormek's DWF-200 and DWC-200. I find the Diamond Wheel Coarse at 360 grit cits faster than either the GG or SB at 220 grit. I find the T4 with SG-200, DWC-200 and DWF-200 a very versatile combo. Add the SJ-200 if you like.
I bought the SB-250 years ago. Most of my sharpening is with carbon steel; I rarely use the SB. Today, I would buy a diamond wheel instead.
I have certainly made my share of bloopers, however, I admit they were caused by my judgement lapses in technique.
I would not have made the marketing decision to include bandaids (plasters). I'm sure the original intent was to make the point in a light hearted way that Tormek sharp is very sharp. Tormek has put a lot of engineering into making the Tormek safe. Including plasters with all new units, to my, telegraps the message to expect being injured, a poor sales message.
Ken
I was flinging the hand plane blade pretty aggressively (was also the cause for catching my knuckles on the wheel edge) and it would spit water out to the side. I'll try your suggestion with less water because I do fill it up as high as possible as a bandaid to the splashing till I developed something.
I dont want to highjack the thread for bloopers- I'll be looking for any threads on the items you shared. If I can get a CBN or diamond, I'd be thrilled.
Thanks!
I did not look through the thread for "injuries", but this one "falls" in that category.
A few days ago, I was working on refinements to a Frontal Vertical Base with CB. I also needed to sharpen a Kershaw folding knife that I had received from him. I mixed the two with less than desirable results.
I was setting up to sharpen the knife. I had the knife, in a jig, ready to be sharpened. CB sends a request for a photo of my FVB in an "in close" position. I went to take a photo of the FVB with the knife, in the jig, on the T8. The T8 needed to be moved to get a better shot. I tried moving it and the swivel base on the stool it is used on.
The knife fell over, off the T8 and right into the back of my left arm, just above the wrist - deep stabbing wound. Blood started spurting everywhere (or so it seemed at the time). I'd never seen blood spurt from my own body. I'd been a ski patroller and a surgical tech in a three doctor veterinary hospital, so I was used to blood and even some spurting. Given my first aid training, etc., I grabbed my arm with my right hand and pressed and then spun around to my bench and reached for a paper towel and pressed it against the wound to try to stop the bleeding. I was in my garage.
My granddaughter was napping and my daughter was resting with her. I knew it would take a long time to get the granddaughter awake enough for my daughter to drive me. I was actually a bit scared, so I just went and got in my car and drove myself to the local clinic (a whopping two blocks) (closest urgent care or hospital is an hour away). They took me right in and after a short exam, stitched me right up (only three).
Once home again, I surveyed the carnage.
Blood trail. Denser area at the top of the frame is where it spurted a time or a few as I stared dumbfoundedly. Trail down and to the left is the drip pattern as I turned around to get the towel.
(https://forum.tormek.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=3606.0;attach=2438)
Knife on the floor where it landed. You can see it in the first photo too. Black sharpie markings are where I needed to work on some nicks (Ha Ha).
(https://forum.tormek.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=3606.0;attach=2440)
Close up of the knife. I think the blood show the depth of entry or at least is from the blood starting to spurt out.
(https://forum.tormek.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=3606.0;attach=2442)
Stitches.
(https://forum.tormek.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=3606.0;attach=2444)
Moral of the story is don't get distracted when working with sharp objects. And I am very glad it happened on a weekday during business hours.
Rick
(https://forum.tormek.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=3606.0;attach=2440)
Poor baby.... :(
Oh, hope you're better too.
;D
(p.s. What's up with that "antique" stop collar....) ::) ;)
Quote from: cbwx34 on July 20, 2018, 02:35:22 PM
Poor baby.... :(
Oh, hope you're better too.
;D
(p.s. What's up with that "antique" stop collar....) ::) ;)
Ha, I knew I wouldn't get any sympathy out of you :) Yeah, all better, at least once the stitches come out next week.
As I am constantly learning with this sharpening system, I am still learning to use the "classic" collar. As a sage fellow said, "the Pin Pivot Collar is not for every knife". Although, due to the curvature of the blade, it certainly could be use with the Kershaw.
Rick
No bloodshed yet for me, but some embarrassingly dumb mistakes:
- Grinding the face of the SMV-45 jig, instead of the blade
- Grinding the thumb stud on a folding knife
I'm resurrecting this thread because I found it all pretty funny and I've done almost all of those things except stab myself (sorry Rick). Here's a blooper for you guys. So I'm sharpening a small pairing knife for my friend as he waits in the shop. As he's waiting he's chasing around a mosquito that's driving him crazy. I just finish the knife and do one final light pass to get as much burr of as possible, as I'm lifting the knife of the stone he comes chasing the mosquito in my direction. He's so focused on the mosquito he dosnt realize what he's doing and shoots me right in the face with Raid bug spray. I fumble the knife still in the jig which falls tip first onto the top of the grinding wheel simultaneously gouging the wheel and chipping off the tip of his knife.So now I'm pissed, I got bug spray in my face and a nice big gouge on my grinding wheel.
I had to true off about 2mm of stone and there's still about another 1mm of gouge left. Needless to say I didn't fix the tip of his knife ;D .
Antz
Ps: I actually would have fixed the tip if he asked me but he felt pretty bad and said not to worry about it. He's an AC tech and just used the knife to cut insulation for pipes.
Antz,
That needs a video.
Rich