For some time I have wanted an early edition of the handbook. I have wanted to learn Torgny Jansson's thoughts on using the Tormek before most of the jigs were added. Earlier this week I found an older edition of the handbook for sale online.
The handbook was packaged with an old SVH-60 straight edge grinding jig (predecessor of the current SE-76 jig). The handbook itself is yellow and has sixty eight pages. The title is Whetstone Grinding of Edge Tools, by Torgny Jansson. The latest model Tormek included is the Supergrind 2000. At the time, the Tormek was available with either a manmade or natural stone. The manmade stone was more coarse. The stone grader made the manmade stone have the same grit as the natural stone.
The universal support bar had only vertical sleeves, although the grinder could be used with either incoming or trailing wheel.
A parts diagram is included for the Supergrind 1002, the model which used an electric drill for power. (wow!)
The original Supergrind 2000 had a 250 watt motor. Today's T7 has a 200 watt motor, which I am sure is more than adequate.
Scrapers were sharpened with the universal support, as the tool rest jig was not yet introduced.
I find the old handbook fascinating, and will share more of it from time to time. I am also looking for even older handbooks.
Ken
Wow!
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-tormek-electric-drill-powered-275142509
Double wow!, Mark. (grepper).
That is an old Tormek! It seems to even predate the present two sleeve universal support design.
I gather Torgny was the designer of the DBS-22 drill bit jig. What an innovative mind for so many years. I would love to know his thoughts in the early days.
Ken
That belongs in a museum!
I can only imagine its history. No doubt it was somebody's dream machine when it was new! The patina is simply outstanding.
How old is my "new" handbook? I can't find a publication year or edition number. However,
It features the Supergrind 2000. I thought the 2000 might indicate the year of the model, but now I am not sure. The SVS-40 Gouge Jig is described. It the history tab of tormek.com, 1996 shows the newer gouge jig. (This may be a misprint.) The Multijig (1998) is not included in the book.
The older SVM-100 long knife jig is shown. As an aside, The present SVM-140 was initially available in Europe. The first US dealer to carry it was our own Steve Bottorff.
Grinding wheels were available in both manmade and natural stone. I find it fascinating that the initial sales pitch for the stone grader was to give the new manmade stone as fine a surface as the original natural stone-- clever.
One reason for my interest in old Tormek instructions is that I have found that not all tools work well with the jigs. The majority do, but very small tools do not fit well and are more easily sharpened handheld. By necessity the pre jig material would focus more on hand held.
I will post more as I learn more.
Ken
No copyright date inside the cover?
Only the copyright symbol, no year.
I tried using the bar code app with the bar code on the back cover of the book. It brought up a picture of a later edition showing a T7 with a SE-76. No help, the mystery remains.
Ken
Possible clues to the age of the book:
The Supergrind 2000 shown is square. It has only vertical universal support sleeves. No mention is made of adding the kit for horizontal sleeves. No mention of "Tormek 2000", the later name.
Ken
Hey! Here's another one of those ST-250's only minus the nifty patina of the other one.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tormek-ST-250-Free-Standing-Water-Grindstone-Sharpener-/272111867179
And, if you want to start a Tormek museum, or if you want to go off-grid attach some foot pedals, or live near a running stream so you could attach it to a water wheel, or get some poor horse to walk endlessly around in circles, it's currently available.
Apparently Tormeks never die!
Thanks for sharing, well photo documented exemplar. :)
Jan
Good find, Grepper!
I wonder if that unit is OSHA compliant?! :o
It appears that the tool holder is not readily removed from the support bar?
I reckon that's less than a 2 hour drive from Robin's shop. I wonder if he'd be interested.
I would think the likelihood of very many of these, especially ones without extra special patina, available for sale probably is now or very soon will become extremely rare.
As much as I appreciate vintage Tormeks, in a working shop I would opt for a newer model, although a low price would at least tempt me.......
Ken
Certainly, if it were local, at a low price, I would be over it for a couple of reasons:
1. Wanted to do a manual water wheel for years and it takes up less space then the yard art ones I see.
2. My understanding is the stone changed at some point between that one, and the 2000 model. I would love to try the stone.
Based on the old handbook, the original Tormek grinding wheels were natural and had a finer grit. The change was to man made stones. For a while, both were available.
The manmade stones have a coarser grit. They cut faster. They may have more cocsistent grit size and are probably less expensive. The stone grader using the fine ide converted the man made stones to the natural stone grit. Clever.
Ken