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Another point to keep in mind - don't let MDF get anywhere near water. Moisture is it's killer.

I just received the SVM-00 to use with my SVM-45.  When I mount a knife and select any sharpening angle (for example 25 degrees), there isn't enough clearance and the SVM-45 contacts the wheel.  I tried changing the handle length on the SVM-45 but there still is not enough clearance.  Did I miss something?

Here is a link to a video on how to use the SVM-00. Hopefully it helps you with your issue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of6KqiwaCP4

It looks like that stand has some travel time on it

Gary

Here's one from Harbor Freight for $30 US. It's 41 cm high.

https://www.harborfreight.com/dirt-bike-stand-67151.html?cid=paid_google|*PLA+-+All+Products+-+Higher+Sales+Items|New+Products+-+%282%29+Price+%2410-30|67151&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&mkwid=sox1NTRPX|pcrid|278918170779|pkw||pmt||pdv|c|slid||product|67151|&pgrid=57009142739&ptaid=pla-298942605297&pcid=1458484684&intent=&gclid=CjwKCAjwg-DpBRBbEiwAEV1_-BV1KTbeD5E8nk9oK-8StNYSm03u_ys83kJJsAvAFmgzPtjpTLd7CxoCemkQAvD_BwE

Gary,
The statement from Tormek is sound advice. My question would be, why did Tormek state it in a message to one person instead of including it with the video to a wide audience? And, why use a here today, gone tomorrow format like Instagram instead of a longer lasting platform like the forum?

Rich, I agree that the pivoting collar is a good tool for this application. Unfortunately, it is not sold by Tormek, so I would not expect to see it in a Tormek video. (Too bad) I believe the well prepared Tormek sharpener should be fluent with both methods. This is another example of how the versatility of the Tormek can be increased by not being limited to "Tormek only".

Ken

Yes, my thoughts too. They added the info to the video after I asked about it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzu58s4Hisk/

Gary

That makes sense, but using the pin pivot jig is better.

Kind regards,
Rich

I agree. The pin pivot jig makes it much easier to deal with curved blades long and short. It's a great addition to the tool chest.

Here is the response I got from Tormek -

"We used this position due to the strong curve of the blade at the tip. This means that you get a more even angle all along the blade especially near the tip. The jig is placed as near as possible to the "radius" of the rounded part of the blade. If we had used the "normal" position we risk making the tip rounded after a while. This position is therefore chosen to maintain the nice shape of the tip of the blade" 😊

Here are three photos that illustrate clamp placement. They go counter to the general adage of always clamping the front edge of the clamp parallel with the straight edge of the blade. The photos are from Tormek's Instagram page.

Gary,
As a fellow old guy, I think what you need is a strapping young assistant to carry your T8. 
Ken

I thought about doing that. Texas Woman's University is just down the road. I was going to call the placement office, but my wife felt strongly that getting a T-4 was a better solution. 

Gary,
I second what Ken said about the t4 vs t2. Although I don't have a T2, I did as much research on it  as I could. I would choose the t4 especially if you already have experience with the T8. The T2 is more like a pull through type sharpener. And to the original topic of this thread I can attest to the sharpness that you can achieve with the T4 as I just cleanly sliced through the tip of my finger clean through my fingernail on the other side  . I was holding a hair and chopping it into sections as it floated freely in the air and it didn't end well. I don't recommend doing that

Antz

Yikes! I'll try to remember not to use that sharpness test.

So I decided to get a t-4 in addition to my t8. I wanted a more portable option for going mobile as the t8 is deceptively heavy, especially with the wheel saturated with water.

I received it yesterday and set it up. I ordered it from amazon and when I opened the box I realized they had packed the tormek t4 UPSIDE DOWN the whole time during shipping (Tormek Box was upside down in amazon box and shipped). I was worried something would be wrong but after setting it up it ran just fine to my relief. Only issue was the SG200 wheel was severely out of round. I had to true off about 3mm to get it flat and true.

First thing I noticed was the considerable weight difference, it's so much lighter than a t8 and I love  the compact size. Also with the smaller wheel I don't end up wetting my shirt leaning over the machine. It had plenty of power to do knives (primarily what I do) doesn't bog down at all. I sharpened 3 knives on it, one being a super thick SOG survival knife that needed to be completely rebeveled. It worked like a champ. I had no problems on the skinnier t4 grinding wheel. It performed and did the job just as fast as my t8 would have.

My honest opinion now that I own both a t8 and a t4 is you can't go wrong with either one. I literally  LOVE my new t4. It's just such a more convenient size and perfect for knife sharpening. I ran it for about an hour continuously and it never felt any hotter than my t8 runs (so much for the 30min duty time). Honestly I can actually see myself using the t4 more often than the t8. I am VERY pleased with the t4. If anyone is just focused on sharpening knives of a reasonable volume (15 or so a day) I would definitely recommend saving some money and buying a t4. There is no way you will be disappointed. Now if you have higher volume of knives or lots of turning tools and planer blades I would definitely get the t8.

Hope this post will be helpful advice to anyone deciding between the two.

Antz

I too have been dealing with the cumbersome weight of the T-8 (I'm an old guy) and having to lug it around as I go off-site to service some venues. Even with the grinding stone removed, it has become more than I wish to deal with. Those occasions are normally just sharpening kitchen cutlery. I had about decided to purchase a T-4 for those events, then I thought why not get the new T-2 instead?

Any thoughts/input to help me with the decision?

For grinding into the wheel, as normally people do on Tormek,  you need our "Grinding Angle Setter" software for Tormek. Newstarters may confuse these two applets and mistakenly go for the FVB applet.
Function is different -  the "Grinding Angle Setter" is for grinding into the wheel in the normal Tormek position, while the "Frontal Vertical Base" is for grinding edge-trailing and honing on the leather wheel in front of the Tormek. The "Frontal Vertical Base" is a free application coming with the Frontal Vertical Base attachment, while the "Grinding Angle Setter" is  a paid software for Tormek.

Yes sir...I believe I'm using the correct software. You sent it to me with the FVB. The file name as extracted is "FVB_Edge_Angle_Setter.application", and the name at the top of the applet for data entry says Frontal Vertical Base for Tormek. I also downloaded the software from the App Store to my i-phone. That applet is titled "KG FVB Angle Setter (Frontal Vertical Base applet)".

I've cross checked both applets, i.e., the one sent me with the FVB purchase and the one from the App Store. They give me the same results, and I am grinding edge-trailing from the front of the Tormek (not into the wheel in the normal Tormek position).

I believe all is good. If not, please tell me so.

Double check your wheel diameter setting in the applet. The grinding wheel is not exactly 250 mm but this should not result in the variation you are seeing.

Thanks John, I actually measured the wheel diameter with a digital caliper. It was spot on at 250 mm.

Welcome to the Forum Gary,

If you are 100% certain you have set up the FVB correctly and input the correct information into the applet (blade protrusion, grinding wheel diameter), then I would trust the applet. Watching Wootz YouTube videos he checks his bevels with a laser protractor and I've never seen him be off by even 1 degree. I also use the applets and although I don't have a laser protractor I believe it to be spot on.
Another thing with the angle master is it's not easy to set an exact wheel diameter setting when adjusting for wheel ware. The applet is more precise.

Antz

Thanks! That was pretty much my thinking. I'm certain things are set up correctly. All measurements were made with a digital caliper, and we know the trig don't lie. I had not thought about Wootz checking with the laser protractor as we have seen him do...good point.

Hello fellow sharpeners,
First I want to introduce myself as I am new to the forum. I'm Gary and USA based, residing in the Dallas TX area. I have lurked and read for some time now being ever appreciative of the knowledge I've gained here. This is a great site, and I'm thankful to be a member.

I have purchased the FVB from the folks at Knife Grinders (fine piece of high-quality equipment!) and set it up carefully following the accompanying instructions. I've triple checked everything and am confident it is set up properly. I have also downloaded the applet for calculating the settings.

The issue I want to ask about is the fact that there is a consistent 4 degrees difference in the angle as set using the FVB applet and the angle as read from the Tormek Angle Master. Said another way, I set up using the applet [T-8, 140 mm to blade edge, 18 degree angle, 97.64 mm support height], but then when I check the blade angle with the Angle Master it says 22 degrees.

I'm not sure if this is normal accuracy or not. I suspect the Angle Master is probably +/- one degree at best, not sure what accuracy is on the FVB. What should I do if I want to sharpen at 18 degrees, trust the FVB or split the difference? I don't have a laser protractor for verification.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks for having me to this forum!

Gary