Was wondering what you guys use, if anything, for a tray under the machine to catch the bit of water that finds its way down there. You know what I'm talking about. I confiscated my wife's jellyroll tray ... a very nice metal tray like a cafeteria tray. I received my mighty fine Tormek rotating stand today. Very nice. However, the tray is about 13" in width. It will not allow the rotation stand to revolve. It catches on the side of the drip tray when it reaches its maximum diagonal posture. Would be interested in knowing what other folks use for this. Thanks. RR
Rem,
Very good question. Tormek makes a very nice rubber mat which works very well. It is also not inexpensive.
If you measure the widest point of the Tormek being pivoted in the rotating base, you should be able to find a larger jellyroll type pan or cafeteria tray.
Most of the water I spilled was during removing the water trough. Sharpen a Dull Wit solved that problem with a turkey baster. It is a must have item, even with the T8. Mine cost $4 US in Ohio. In the Yukon, you should be able to find one for less that three hundred dollars. :-\
Ken
I got a rubber mat for drying dishes from Target. Works well, but I don't have a rotating base so I don't know if it would work with that or not.
Kind regards,
Rich
Thanks, guys. Ken, I looked at the Tormek mat. It is about the same dimensions as my jellyroll pan. I'm assuming they have designed it so it would work with the rotating base? Perhaps the edges are a bit lower so the rotating base will clear it when it turns? I emailed Tormek earlier and asked them that. No response yet. thanks. If anyone has this set up (Tormek work mat and Tormek rotating base), would appreciate knowing that it works. Thanks. RR
I just read a review on Amazon where someone asked the exact same question. Someone responded that they had both the work mat and the rotating base and it made it's turn within the boundaries of the mat. So there you go. My wife is off to Edmonton soon so I'll get her to pick me up a nice birthday present. It's coming up in 11 months. RR
Quote from: RichColvin on September 10, 2016, 04:05:56 AM
I got a rubber mat for drying dishes from Target. Works well, but I don't have a rotating base so I don't know if it would work with that or not.
Kind regards,
Rich
Towels were a common thing in old posts. The dish mats (remember before dishwashers), are another great idea. One other one I saw on Youtube, was someone used something that was either a rear seat floormat, or an entry mat for your shoes. (have bumps that allow water underneath, without going over.
Rem,
I measured my Tormek rubber mat. Your constraint is the height of the sides. The shortest inside distance across the Tormek mat is 12" or 300mm. (The Tormek rubber mat is sized to fit in the top of the Tormek Work Station.) That is actually smaller than your jellyroll pan. The key is the height of the Tormek mat. The sides are about 7/16" or 10mm. The Tormek actually extends outboard with pivoting.
Your jelly pan will work if you place something under the rotating base. Rubberlike draw liners are available for mechanic's toolchests. I bought a rubberlike top for my mechanic's chest from Sears. It was not expensive, and cut down to fit your jellyroll pan should work very well. Measure the sides of your pan first to see how much thickness you need. A sink liner shuould work. Even a piece of 1/4" or 6mm plywood would work. (I recommend a water resistant finish.)
All you need to do is raise your Tormek enough to clear the sides of your pan. Your solution can be very simple and inexpensive. I always remove the Tormek from the revolving base at the end of a sharpening session to let everything dry.
Keep us posted; this is a common difficulty.
Ken
ps I think much water spillage can be attributed to overfilling the water trough. The day I met Steve Bottorff, he had set up two Tormeks at a woodworking show. They were running all day. They were setting on a wooden woorkbench protected by only only a layer of cardboard. I checked throughout the day. Very little water spilled.There is something to be said for long experience.
would someone like to explain to the poor saps on this side of the pond (who invented the language by the way) what the hell "Jellyroll" is please?
I was guessing a sheet pan, also referred to as a cookie sheet over here.
Edit: A quick google search, said it is similar to a cookie sheet, but has a taller lip.
Excellent explanatory post, SADW.
Rob,
Yous guys may have invented the language, but we were the ones what brought it to its present level.
Rem,
I suggest you place your Tormek, in the rotating base, on a flat surface. Rotate the Tormek and measure how much room you need between the bottom of the revolving piece and the table.
Actually, in what I believe might pass for "Old English", a cookie sheet might be " just the ticket".
Ken
For those inquiring minds out there ........ it's good that we can discuss intellectual topics, other than sharpening, from time to time ..... R
A jelly roll pan is similar to a baking sheet or cookie sheet, but it has sides that are usually 1 inch (2.54 cm) deep. These pans are handy for many uses, such as for roasting vegetables and baking cookies, coffee cakes, and the cake portion of jelly rolls.
A jelly roll is a thin sponge cake that is rolled up with a filling of jelly or jam. When sliced, a circular pattern is revealed in each piece of cake. Whipped cream and fruit or fruit preserves often top each slice. The jelly roll cake batter is usually flavored with vanilla and/or almond extract, and raspberry or strawberry jam or jelly is usually used for the filling. There are many variations of this dessert, however, and while a chocolate cake with whipped cream filling isn't technically a jelly roll, it would still be made in basically the same way.
What's the difference between a cookie sheet and a jelly-roll pan?
— Charolette Bell, Milford, CT
The former is a metal sheet with one or two sides bent up for easier handling. Its design allows air to circulate freely around the cookies so they bake and brown evenly. A jelly-roll pan (either 15 ½ by 10 ½ inches or 18 by 12 a.k.a. a half-sheet pan) has 1-inch-high sides and is perfect for making cake rolls; it can stand in for a cookie sheet in a pinch. It's also a terrific roasting pan for veggies and more.
Here's what I did. Works great. Aluminum tray:
(http://i1275.photobucket.com/albums/y441/grepper00/mess-small_zps44ed5c0f.png)
Grepper,
Your set up looks like a good candidate for the Popular Mechanics Home Workshop Legion of Merit award.
Well done.
Ken
Greppers is the one called a Sheet pan. They come in various sizes, normally are aluminum and are used in restaurants.
Well, I bit the blade and ordered the Tormek fancy schmancy work mat. In for a fortune, in for a bigger fortune. The wife will just have to put in a few extra hours .... and I'm ok with that. R ;)
I have been very pleased with the Tormek fancy schmancy work mat. I think you will be, too. It is certainly not the least costly option, however, it gets my vote for the best choice.
Ken
Ah....you meant Jam Roly poly...now I understand :-)
According to Oscar Wilde, "We really have everything in common with America nowadays except, of course, language". :)
Ken
..... and the metric system. R :o
I wonder if now we're out of Europe we'll be able to go back to a sensible set of measures? You know one that has no basis in rational thought or mathematical systems (but I still love it anyway :-)
In fact rephrase that...we'll be able to go "forward" to the imperial system :-)
While we are being so logical, let's return to bob and quid. As I remember, weren't there twelve pence in a shilling, twenty shillings in a pound, and a pound and a shilling in a guinea?
Ken
spot on Ken...well remembered indeed. And penny's were abbreviated, not to p for pence as now but d for some reason I don't remember as I was 7 when we went decimal. But the odd thing is that even though we went decimal in about 1970, we continued with imperial for decades after (including still now in fact).
So my measurements are a hybrid of the two. Gotta dash, mother in laws for lunch....more on this later.
"D" is for dinarius, a Roman coin. We also use the same abbreviation for nail sizes. What would the world be without British logic? :)
Ken
ps I still like your twenty ounce pints! ;)
Quote from: Rob on September 11, 2016, 11:46:37 AM
I wonder if now we're out of Europe we'll be able to go back to a sensible set of measures? You know one that has no basis in rational thought or mathematical systems (but I still love it anyway :-)
In fact rephrase that...we'll be able to go "forward" to the imperial system :-)
Just so you can watch some expensive probe, slam into a planet, when someone didn't follow the transcribe memo.
One can always, ahem ..., pick up a plasic cafeteria tray somewhere. ;D
I glued a scrap piece of vinyl (floor covering) to a scrap piece of plywood. Then I wrapped it with some scrap pieces of trim left over from ripping down some treated lumber. The trim forms a ledge to trap any spilled water. That has served me well for probably about 15 years. I used to set it on saw horses but now have it permanently attached to a wall in my garage/workshop. I have it at just the right height.
Well, I received my mighty fine, fancy schmancy, gen-u-ine Tormek work mat today. It is indeed a thing of beauty. A work of art. A tray among trays. A mat for all seasons. Capable of taming the most rogue of drips. I think I'll name him either Trey or Matt. I'm sure he'll "carry my water" for a long time. And while his personality is a bit flat, it still has an edge to it .... he has a lot of lip.
OK, just going away now ........ it's a nice item. R ;D
How about "Matteo" (Swedish for Mat)? :)
Ken
ps It is a nice and very functional rubber mat. 'Glad you like it.
Great post Rem! Thanks for the chuckle. :)
Quote from: Rem on September 20, 2016, 07:28:47 PM
Well, I received my mighty fine, fancy schmancy, gen-u-ine Tormek work mat today. It is indeed a thing of beauty. A work of art. A tray among trays. A mat for all seasons. Capable of taming the most rogue of drips. I think I'll name him either Trey or Matt. I'm sure he'll "carry my water" for a long time. And while his personality is a bit flat, it still has an edge to it .... he has a lot of lip.
OK, just going away now ........ it's a nice item. R ;D
I think your drip tray is all wet. ;)
I think your drip tray is all wet. ;)
[/quote]
It likely will be soon enough. "Trey" and I have a lot in common. R ???
Quote from: Rem on September 10, 2016, 03:34:24 AM
Was wondering what you guys use, if anything, for a tray under the machine to catch the bit of water that finds its way down there. You know what I'm talking about. I confiscated my wife's jellyroll tray ... a very nice metal tray like a cafeteria tray. I received my mighty fine Tormek rotating stand today. Very nice. However, the tray is about 13" in width. It will not allow the rotation stand to revolve. It catches on the side of the drip tray when it reaches its maximum diagonal posture. Would be interested in knowing what other folks use for this. Thanks. RR
Last week I found something in our cellar, an old developer bowl from the analog times of photography. This cheap thing fits exactly.
(http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/Sonstiges/Holz/Tormek/DSC08117_9.jpg)
Rolf
A mighty handsome set-up. Mighty fine, indeed. The problem you may incur, should you ever attach the swivel base, is that the machine will not clear the edges when you go to revolve it. But you can elevate the unit on something and I suspect that would solve the problem. R
Quote from: Rem on September 26, 2016, 04:01:19 PM
A mighty handsome set-up. Mighty fine, indeed. The problem you may incur, should you ever attach the swivel base, is that the machine will not clear the edges when you go to revolve it. But you can elevate the unit on something and I suspect that would solve the problem. R
Hm,
I never turned the machine als long as it works for me. And even in case - lift it with the handle and set it back the other way round.
Rolf
Rolf,
A photographic tray is a good idea. I would suggest swiveling the entire tray. This idea was presented earlier with the suggestion of using a cafeteria tray.
Ken
Quote from: Rem on September 26, 2016, 04:01:19 PM
A mighty handsome set-up. Mighty fine, indeed. The problem you may incur, should you ever attach the swivel base, is that the machine will not clear the edges when you go to revolve it. But you can elevate the unit on something and I suspect that would solve the problem. R
So build a high rise in South Park?
(it came to mind with all the Tray/Matt stuff, Matt Parker, Trey Stone)
Going back to the original post, the correct term for the "drip pan" is the Water Trough, or Advanced Water Trough added in 2010 for the T7 and Super Grind.
There are many ways to rotate a Tormek. My favorite, if the shop is large enough, is to put a small bench where there is walk around room and move the operator rather than the Tormek. I still like and sometimes use this method, even though I have a rotating base and a work station.
I would suggest putting the rotating base on the future want list. For some, it will prove quite useful. For others, as stated in posts here, there is no need for it. I would use the Tormek for several months before deciding on the rotating base.
Rolf,
Those old Paterson developing trays have always been my first choice for developing sheet film. Over the years, I have developed thousands of 4x5 negatives and a few 8x10s with them. They work very well!
Ken
I thought I'd revive this most enjoyable thread with some exciting news. An item that might interest you. It's 25 bucks Canadian, which is about a dollar eighty-five American. Enjoy. R ;D
http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=74738&cat=52&ap=2
Rem,
Another fine product from a venerable Canadian company. This is truly the Tormek of turkey basters!
The larger capacity of this outstanding turkey baster might save the day when you need to clean up quickly or miss the afternoon dog sled and have to wait until Sargeant Preston returns. Incidentally, the price in US dollars is $19.50, although in this quality league, asking the price would be bad form. :)
It is a nice looking turkey baster.
Ken
Indeed, it appears to be a fine unit. Perhaps Tormek should acquire the distribution rights and label it the "Tormekey Baster". And I agree regarding the cost .... it's so vulgar to discuss price. It should be of no consequence when one is considering the purchase of the pièce de résistance of substance suckers. Only riff raff would consider the cost as a potential determinant of said purchase.
Regarding Wille (Sgt. William Preston), he and I were in the Navy together and remained close friends for many years. Sadly, he passed recently and consequently, his sled riding days are over.
And Lee Valley is a fabrication. In fact, the headquarters for the company is located on a spot of rather high ground. Hardly a valley. It's all so sordid.
But I think the referred to aspirator facilitator would prove to be a fine product. Here is your opportunity to really "suck it up". And it might make a good squirt gun, too. R ::)
Getting beyond the good natured fun, a turkey baster really works. I have found that most of the water I have spilled was during emptying the water trough. Removing most of the water with the turkey baster eliminates that problem. My newly purchased inexpensive, but smaller baster does drip a little. This can be controlled by holding the baster over the water trough and squirting the water into a small plastic peanut butter jar. The thrifty among us will not be bothered by a few drips; the fastidious should be most pleased with the Lee Valley quality model.
The Tormek acquired a reputation for water spillage over the years. I watched a real Tormek expert work for a day at a woodworking show. He had set up both a T4 and a T7. Both were in use all day. They were sitting on box cardboard. Out of curiosity, I monitored the water spillage. It was very minimal. I think most of it happened due to rotating the machines with no rotating bases. The key factor was that he filled the water troughs adequately, but he did not overfill them.
I attribute much of the alleged spillage problem reputation to overfilling. The trough is filled. The stone absorbs some water. Instead of carefully adding water, people pour in plenty.
The newer water trough designs also help minimize spillage. a good "drip pan" contains the water that does spill, whether it is the very nice Tormek rubber mat or the humble but adequate cafeteria tray. The round cornerless bottom and removable magnet design of the T8 trough do make cleaning less work.
Putting water spillage in context, I would much rather deal with a small amount of water than the abrasive dust from my belt grinder or rarely used dry grinder.
Ken
Based on my limited experience to date, I completely agree. The water spillage is minimal. I keep an old piece of a synthetic chamois pushed up against the swivel base on the drip pan side. I have also found it is a simple matter to tilt the machine slightly and expose the underneath so I can pat it lightly with said chamois. It's not an issue of any consequence for me, and I am definitely in the fastidious category. R :)
For rotating a Tormek (at the risk of appearing gauche by suggesting a potentially "less pricey" solution than an official Tormek base, perish the thought! :)), why not place a suitable tray (such as the ones mentioned in this thread) on top of a swivel base, such as from Lee Valley's Home & Garden section: http://www.leevalley.com/en/wood/page.aspx?p=48644&cat=1,250,43298,43316. The 16" size is $21.50 US. It is plastic and thus water proof, or at least resistant, presumably. The load capacity is 200 lbs, plenty for this application. Both the tray and machine sitting on this would easily rotate together, when desired.
You'd still need to fashion a latch or brake for the selected working position, but one way would be to use a board under the tray (to ensure lack of flexing), and a board under the swivel (to make the whole setup portable), then simply extend such boards on the sides an inch or so and drop a bolt (or two) through drilled holes that align when the machine is in position. Double stick tape could ensure the swivel base stayed put between the boards, forming an intact assembly that can be moved or stored. Voila!
Personally I have always just lifted the machine and set it down the other way, working on a formica work surface that I just let get wet and wipe up afterwards, but maybe some year I'll get fancy...
Pat
Pat,
My favorite way to rotate the Tormek is to leave it in place and walk around the bench. This seems the most natural to me.
Ken
I saw your preference for that in the thread, Ken, and agree it is a very slick solution if you have the right workstation. Unfortunately my present workbench is too wide for that to work well (I'd be bending forward too much for comfort on one side or the other, or both, while working, and that's even if it wasn't cluttered with project components or tools :)). Right now I normally use a countertop that is installed against a wall, but like I said, maybe some day I'll get fancy and build a stand alone or peninsula type workstation specifically for sharpening that can support your suggestion.
Cheers,
Pat
Pat,
Welcome to the forum.
I have done a rotating base similar to what you are mentioning. The swivel came from a kitchen chair that had been discarded. See the thread in the following link:
http://forum.tormek.com/index.php?topic=1606.msg6906#msg6906
My father picked up a lazy susan for $1, somewhere. He drilled through it and put a bolt on either side. (rotate and lock by putting in the bolt)
Because of the location of my Tormek at the time, and the height, I just worked overtime and bought the Tormek rotating base.
Elden,
Nicely done! I'm still browsing through old threads and hadn't seen that one yet, but your Tormek workstation is an impressive combination of portable functional ergonomic design, going far beyond just a swivel base! It's fun to see creative solutions like that - and this forum is a great vehicle for disseminating such design ideas. Bits (or all) of such ideas may eventually serve as further inspiration, so kudos and appreciation to everyone who make it happen!
Pat,
You correctly note most of the constraints of workbenches. They are usually placed against a wall. They are too wide to use a Tormek in walk around mode, and often (like mine) are magnets for anything not properly secured in the shop. :-\
They are almost always too high for homo sapiens to use comfortably in the vertical position. Height is the issue a lazy susan or rotating base will not correct. WolfY posted a topic with photos showing a clever solution he devised. He used an Ikea table he modified by shortening the legs. Zeev (WolfY) is a Tormek dealer in Israel who also owns a sharpening service. The Ikea table he devised looks much more professional than a sturdy 2x4 stand I might put together in my home shop.
You should be able to find Zeev's post by searching member posts for WolfY.
For anyone building a table for the Tormek, I would suggest legs which can be height adjusted. This can be as simple as two piece legs held together with two bolts and multiple matched holes perhaps 50mm or 2" apart. This is a middle balance between non adjustable and quickly adjustable.
Ideally (and not on this planet) when a Tormek is rotated from vertical to horizontal sleeve position, it should also be raised. That was the purpose of the step drawer Jeff Farris and Norm Abram designed. Clever, but not comfortable for those like me with older, less steady balance. That's why I like the idea of two small tables, one for vertical grinding (lower) and one for horizontal grinding (higher). I would use whichever one suited the day's sharpening needs. Constructed of 2x4s, 1x4s with plywood tops, they would be easily and inexpensively constructed.
Ken