Just curious how others store all their jigs and accessories?
I'm a bit restricted in that I live in a 2 bedroom apartment and don't really have a dedicated spot for the grinder where I could build a stand that also holds all the extras, so i went with this 18x13x6 aluminum case with foam insert (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NPYDF8W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_94gIzbQN7R5BE)
Works well, and is sturdy enough to leave the grinder sitting on top of the case on the shelf when not in use.
Please see attachment: still have plenty of space for additional jigs down the road, but for now i just keep my user's manual in the big empty spot.
Clockwise from bottom left:
-scissor jig
-markers
-square edge jig
-truing tool
-grading stone and honing compound (stone is always left out to dry out before putting away)
-tool rest
-short tool jig
-turning tool jig
-multi-tool jig
-3 knife jigs (45, 100, 140)
I like it.
I use a 3 drawer Toolbox...
(https://image.ibb.co/mwPR2F/Tormek_Toolbox.jpg)
:)
Thanks cbwx :)
I like yours too, as a stationary unit.
I don't know if you ever travel with yours, but I've seen similar foam inserts you can buy for drawers that could keep your stuff from shifting around if you do
I forgot to mention, aside from my storage restrictions i also kinda wanted something easily portable for certain circumstances. For example, i do Leatherwork as a hobby, but also to help a friend who is trying to do it as a business... It'll be much easier for me to bring my grinder and this case to him, rather than bringing all our tools back here... At least for the initial sharpening of everything once
Quote from: Kavik on August 07, 2017, 06:30:13 PM
Thanks cbwx :)
I like yours too, as a stationary unit.
I don't know if you ever travel with yours, but I've seen similar foam inserts you can buy for drawers that could keep your stuff from shifting around if you do
...
The toolbox is 20"x12"x8.5"... so it's portable... (close to the same size as yours).
I put in "non-skid" drawer liner... so things don't move around.
Ahhhh, cool. I couldn't tell there was non skid liner in the pic, good solution
I picked up a 4 drawer roll away tool chest, with a top box for $129 in a closeout deal at my local Menards ( a regional Lowes, Home Despot etc.) I use the lower for my tormek, and store the jigs, files, hones, stones, 4" grinder, etc in it. Items that I use frequently are in the top drawer, then as you move down larger items and less used. I also found that a full sheet pan fits almost perfectly on top which catches any drips, spills and so forth and is easier to clean than the tool box top. A roll of paper towel also fits nicely on the handle. It is about 1-2 inches taller than the tormek work station which works great for me as I am 6'2" so many universal fit options are just a touch too short for my back. The top box I put on my reloading bench and filled with reloading items. So I killed 2 birds with one stone.
Nice doc, always great when one solution covers two bases. And i like the idea of the sheet pan drip tray to top it off
Sounds like you got a pretty good deal there too
I use a combination of a Tormek work station, cardboard boxes, and a Brunswick single size bowling ball bag. I like the work station, however, for me, the work station holds only some of the Tormek stuff I have accumulated. The foam inserts are OK if you have only one of each jig. I often have several for different projects.
The cardboard boxes actually work fairly well in a low tech way.
The bowling bag, in my opinion, is the ideal way to transport a T4 with everything you need. It has a hand grip and a shoulder strap. It only cost $32 US.
My .02
Ken
Nice, I like the idea of having a bag to move the grinder itself in. Though I'm guessing that wouldn't work as well on the larger machines
Kavik, I have a dedicated homemade Tormek station. It's a scrap piece of 3/4-inch plywood that's 32 inches wide by 21 inches deep, mounted on the wall of my garage at a height of just 33 inches. It has a scrap piece of vinyl flooring covering the surface. Some of the jigs hang on the wall behind the station and some are in a shallow wooden box on top of the station.
You want that low height for comfort, and good lighting is a must. I also have a lighted magnifier mounted above the work station, and 40X dissecting microscope nearby which I no longer use very much. At one point, though, that microscope was a valuable tool in my sharpening education. It is still useful when I encounter unfamiliar sharpening situations.
Good post, Herman. A very practical working setup.
Ken
Yeah, sounds like another great setup for a stationary setup :)
Kavik, I like your jig organiser also. :)
The only think I am wondering about is whether it is good to disassemble the adjustable stop of the knife jig after each use. For newer knife jigs with the rubber O-ring it would not be suitable.
Jan
Kavik,
This seems like a workable solution for a small space. It could not only be a goid work stand for your Tormek, it could be a very compact, portable multipurpose table.
http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=32759&cat=46158,42665&ap=1
Ken
Quote from: Ken S on August 08, 2017, 03:02:05 PM
Kavik,
This seems like a workable solution for a small space. It could not only be a goid work stand for your Tormek, it could be a very compact, portable multipurpose table.
http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?p=32759&cat=46158,42665&ap=1
Ken
I've tried a folding table like that... not really sturdy enough IMO. (Machine makes them 'top heavy').
Edit to add: If you're looking for a small portable table, this one (attached picture) isn't too bad... it 20"x30", height adjusts from 21-28", and is fairly stable. (Personally though, I like the 4ft. portable tables better).
I have a basement workshop, and I am a big believer in 5S (i.e., keeping the tools where you need them, and keeping the space neat and tidy). Thusly, I keep the Tormek jigs out where they can be grabbed easily for use.
Here is my sharpening station :
(http://sharpeninghandbook.info/Tormek/Sharpening_Workstation.jpg)
You may notice that I've labelled where each jig or accessory goes. That is to be sure they go back to the right place after use. Also, when my father passed on, I had quite the task to figure out what some of his tools were (and I had his brother to help me). So I'm saving my sons that effort, but hopefully that is 30-40 years from now.
There is a spray bottle of camilla oil I keep on the left side of the bottom shelf (the one with Japanese text on it, beside the Wahl oil). It is quite useful for protecting tools that get sharpened and put away for a while (e.g., utility chisels).
I keep the manuals available, and have to refer to them when doing something I've not done for a while.
Oh, and you may also see the gun cleaning rod and wire brush (the T-handled tool hanging just above the black grinder). That idea came from the AAW forum where it was recommended as a way for cleaning the flute on gouges, particularly bowl gouges. It is a great approach, and keeps my hands away from the cutting edge.
Kind regards,
Rich
Quote from: Jan on August 08, 2017, 11:13:07 AM
Kavik, I like your jig organiser also. :)
The only think I am wondering about is whether it is good to disassemble the adjustable stop of the knife jig after each use. For newer knife jigs with the rubber O-ring it would not be suitable.
Jan
Thanks Jan. Interesting question... I was originally going to keep them assembled, but this way took up a LOT less space. That said, these are old jigs, no o-rings. And honestly, I don't anticipate using the knife jigs all that often, for me this is more for chisels, planes, and turning tools. That may change eventually, but i can always redo the layout with a new foam insert if it becomes a problem
Thanks for the ideas on the portable work surfaces guys. I have a couple different areas in my office that are different heights that I can use though when I pull this out, and just put down a drop cloth to deal with any water or gunk from the stropping wheel. To be honest, to start with I've just been sitting at my couch with the grinder on my coffee table (because I'm single and don't have carpeting in the living room lol) and it works comfortably when using the front support bar with the wheel turning away from the tool. Awkward though if trying to use it in the other direction.
Quote from: RichColvin on August 08, 2017, 04:39:42 PM
I have a basement workshop, and I am a big believer in 5S (i.e., keeping the tools where you need them, and keeping the space neat and tidy). Thusly, I keep the Tormek jigs out where they can be grabbed easily for use
Rich,
Great setup, and i love the magnifying ring light, i gotta get one of those one of these days.
Once I buy a house, the first major project will be making a shop area where everything can be organized like you said; easy to access and every tool and accessory having a specific home.
And thanks for pointing out the gun cleaning rod, that's a great tip!!
Thanks for sharing your setup solution, Rich.
I was pleased to see the TTS setter modified for knives among your jigs. ;)
Jan
Quote from: RichColvin on August 08, 2017, 04:39:42 PM
You may notice that I've labelled where each jig or accessory goes. That is to be sure they go back to the right place after use. Also, when my father passed on, I had quite the task to figure out what some of his tools were (and I had his brother to help me). So I'm saving my sons that effort, but hopefully that is 30-40 years from now.
More important than identifying the tools, make sure they know how to use them. Younger people knowing how to use tools seems to be a dying art these days.
Quote from: Jan on August 08, 2017, 06:10:46 PMI was pleased to see the TTS setter modified for knives among your jigs.
That's my HanJig, serial number 1 !!
Here is the link to the messages where it is outlined https://forum.tormek.com/index.php?topic=2639.msg16563#msg16563.
Quote from: Jan on August 08, 2017, 06:10:46 PM
Thanks for sharing your setup solution, Rich.
I was pleased to see the TTS setter modified for knives among your jigs. ;)
Jan
Oh man, this post sent me down a whole rabbit hole of searching and reading!
Very interesting topic that will get much more research from me when I have more time :D
Quote from: RichColvin on August 08, 2017, 07:37:43 PM
Quote from: Jan on August 08, 2017, 06:10:46 PMI was pleased to see the TTS setter modified for knives among your jigs.
That's my HanJig, serial number 1 !!
It appears your knife jigs have been modified too? Any more info on that?
Wootz recommends the use of collars (see also, https://forum.tormek.com/index.php?topic=3050.msg16671#msg16671 ).
I just keep them on the jigs.
Kind regards,
Rich
I have been in Rich's shop. His set up is very efficient and well designed.
Kavik, your living room set up works best for the unmarried. Should you ever consider matrimony, investing in a Tormek rubber work mat may be a key decision for your wedded bliss. The work mat is rather expensive, however, I can tell you from personal experience that it is very well made and really keeps the work environment dryer and cleaner. For any mobile sharpener setting up in a customer's restaurant or kitehen, the rubber mat is also a great PR tool.
I like Rich's idea of the handy bottle of camilla oil.
Using a kenjig, I rarely have to readjust my knife jigs. At the end of a sharpening session, I just put them away. They remain set for the next session.
Ken
Lol yeah, Bachelorhood may have meant down sides, but it has its perks too :P
For the mat; I'm going to go digging around at home before I sharpen next time. I have so many big shallow pans/bins, pretty sure I have something that could serve the same purpose for free :)
Camilla oil is already in my repertoire as well :)
Though mine doesn't have a spray, I just wipe it on.
For longer term storage (or collectables, like some razors that are beyond use at this point) I also keep a tin of renaissance wax on hand
I do have a question for you regarding the adjustable base on the knife jigs, and your measurements for your setups.... But i want to finish reading through all that and make sure i understand things correctly before getting into all that
This is my solution:
(http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/Sonstiges/Holz/Tormek/DSC07692_9.jpg)
The stone is no longer stored on the wall - see next picture!
For stones:
(http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/Sonstiges/Holz/Tormek/DSC08329_9.jpg)
Below is an old small cat litter tray.
(http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/Sonstiges/Holz/Tormek/DSC09354_9.jpg)
Parking position for the Stone Grader while working
Rolf
Hatchcanyon.... very nice, and some good ideas.
Thanks!
The stone tray was photographed on top of my workbench. In real life it is sitting on the shop floor.
Rolf
Rolf,
I'd forgotten that you put your jigs on wooden posts where it makes sense. That's a great idea that I will look to incorporate.
Kind regards,
Rich
Rolf,
Very clever and meticulous shop organization. Impressive!
Ken
PS Rich, Hanjig #1 is certainly the Gold Standard of kenjigs!