Wolfgang Derke of Advanced Machinery sent me an email today that Advanced now has some US-400 support bars. Here is a link to their listing:
https://advanced-machinery.myshopify.com/products/tormek-us-400-universal-support-for-t-8-t-7-and-s2000
These have been hard to find. They were originally supplied with the T4000, an elongated stainless steel predecessor of the T2. As I recall, Wootz was the first member of the forum to use one. His postings generated interest. Forum member andó longtime Tormek dealer, Steve Bottorff, (sharpeningmadeeasy.com) was able to find twenty of a small number of reissued US-400 units. These quickly sold out to interested Tormek users, including me. Until I received the email from Wolfgang, I thought the twenty that Steve had located were the last. I do not know how many US-400 units are available through Advanced Machinery.
The longest knife I sharpen is my eight inch (200mm) chef's knife. I have had no difficulty with the standard issue US-105 universal support bar with this knife. I gather the extra length of the US-400 is designed to handle longer knives. I have found the extended length on both ends a good place to rest my hands for better control. Having an extra support bar is also a time saver for heavy grinding situations which may require frequent wheel dressing tith the TT-50. There is no need to reset the Distance between the bar and grinding wheel. Just swap preset support bars..
Soon after purchasing my T7, I purchased a second US-105 support bar. Having a second support bar is convenient. Priced at $49 US, the US-400 is not much more expensive than the standard US-105. I have found the US-400 useful enough to purchase a second unit through Advanced. I chose the option for eight dollars more to include a microadjust for it.
One might compare the US-400 with the extended support bar designed and sold by forum member, Robin C Bailey. Each is useful in its own way. Robin's support bar is both longer and taller than the US-105. It is the ideal tool for sharpening cleavers. It does not have (or really need) the microadjust. I have and use both bars.
The video recently cited by forum member, Sharpco, shows the US-400 in use.
I am not trying to sell this product to anyone. I just remember some disappointed members who missed out on the first batch of twenty.
Ken
Thanks for the heads up. Under $60 including shipping and will
get lots of use and add flexibility with a second usb.
Best Wishes
Tim
Ken, thank you so much. US-400 had been discontinued and are a rare find these days.
The Tormek distributor in Australia was trying to get more for me from Tormek on my request, but replyed no more nowhere.
I was lucky to get 2 of them for my workshop years ago through Italy, and has just bought 2 more from your source, even though with shipment cost to Australia they double in price.
Consider it a big luck the Advanced Machinery get a few of them.
Still thinking if I should get a couple of more... as dozens of sharpeners after watching our videos on YouTube asked me where they could get them.
I just hope they read your post before the last US-400 sells out.
.
Wootz, you sparked a good movement toward the US-400. I remember you saying that you ordered yours from Italy.
International shipping can be expensive. With both the extended support bar I purchased from Robin Bailey in the UK and the VFB I purchased from you, shipping to me in the US was expensive. In both cases, the usefulness of the products was well worth the cost.
Tormek had a small production run (300, if memory serves) of the US-400 units made up several years ago. The twenty that Steve ordered for us were from that bunch. I don't know if the ones now at Advanced Machinery are from that griup or from a new group. I hope Tormek will keep a small quantity in regular inventory. If the company bean counters complain that the last group took so long to sell, they should remember that their existance was the best kept secret in Tormek. It took several months to fill Steve's order.
There is an English idiom, "You snooze; you lose." I hope those who want this useful accessory will stay current with forum postings and not debate too long before ordering.
Ken
Thanks Ken! Yesterday we had 15, today we have 10 left. I will check and see if we can get more.
Wolfgang
Quote from: Ken S on February 08, 2019, 12:17:28 AM
...
They were originally supplied with the T4000, an elongated stainless steel predecessor of the T2.
...
Now, if we could only get a new (and improved) version of it...
(https://forum.tormek.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=3879.0;attach=3040)
... good setup for those who mainly sharpen knives, and not the woodworking tools the original design favors. ;)
CB,
I am puzzled. I have never seen a T4000, however, I have thought it was a specialty machine for knife sharpening knives, like the T2. The T2 seems even more specialized, as it is used dry and with no honng compound. In my opinion, the T2 is both newer and more improved for the highly specialized in house restaurant sharpening specialty. For general sharpening, I also feel the T8 is also newer and more improved. What would you suggest for improvements? (This could start a useful conversation.)
Ken
Quote from: wderke on February 08, 2019, 01:33:22 PM
Thanks Ken! Yesterday we had 15, today we have 10 left. I will check and see if we can get more.
Wolfgang
Wolfgang,
I thought they would sell quickly, however, I did not think they would sell this quickly.
I appreciate your checking on the availability of additional units.
Ken
They are raising the price as the supply diminishes, started at $49.95 and is now $57.95 for the one with micro adjust; $50.95 withOUT micro adjust.
Quote from: jeffs55 on February 08, 2019, 05:19:24 PM
They are raising the price as the supply diminishes, started at $49.95 and is now $57.95 for the one with micro adjust; $50.95 withOUT micro adjust.
Then you better hurry... ;D
Quote from: Ken S on February 08, 2019, 04:30:00 PM
CB,
I am puzzled. I have never seen a T4000, however, I have thought it was a specialty machine for knife sharpening knives, like the T2. The T2 seems even more specialized, as it is used dry and with no honng compound. In my opinion, the T2 is both newer and more improved for the highly specialized in house restaurant sharpening specialty. For general sharpening, I also feel the T8 is also newer and more improved. What would you suggest for improvements? (This could start a useful conversation.)
Ken
Keep in mind the T-2 is not for the pro sharpener...it's for a kitchen maintaining their own knives, (and as discussed earlier, a bit limiting). I'm talking about the sharpener going place to place, setting up at shows, etc., sharpening a variety of knives.
Improvements? Don't get me started. ;) For starters the T-4000 design itself was better in that it had more space between the wheels, which you need for knives. But hey, in dreamworld.... imagine a machine that you could run two grinding wheels on, vs. a grinding wheel and a leather wheel. A machine that had a "deburring station" built in similar to... well, I'll let you guess on that one. A machine with a reversible motor, so you don't have to "switch sides" if you want to change direction. A USB that combines both the USB-400 length and Robin Bailey's height. I could go on... hehe. (And yes, I know you'll bring up cost, but let's not go there... we're in dreamworld after all...). 8)
Quote from: cbwx34 on February 08, 2019, 06:00:26 PM
Quote from: jeffs55 on February 08, 2019, 05:19:24 PM
They are raising the price as the supply diminishes, started at $49.95 and is now $57.95 for the one with micro adjust; $50.95 withOUT micro adjust.
Then you better hurry... ;D
I ordered what may have been the first one sold. The price for the US-400 with microadjust (not including the $9.95 shipping) was $57.85. Either the price has gone up a dime or Wolfgang gave me a courtesy ten cent discount.
I would like to state that I think both Steve and Wolfgang have acted very honorably. Demand has far exceeded supply in both cases and both of these gentlemen priced the US-400 units quite honestly.
Ken
I have ordered one, I think Wolfgang's price is fair, he could easily charge more. The cost of shipping to Canada adds another $31-$45 depending on method, which is annoying but, as Ken says, that is just the cost of international shipping. There will be another $10 sales tax and $10 tax collection fee when it is delivered, a purely domestic issue. So, a $100 USB.
Gord
Consider making your own with longer legs such as Robin's has but with the horizontal bar of the US-400?
Your southern neighbors are certainly spoiled with lower taxes. I hope your hundred dollar support bar lives up to its cost for you.
Ken
Quote from: Elden on February 09, 2019, 01:27:55 AM
Consider making your own with longer legs such as Robin's has but with the horizontal bar of the US-400?
I'm not sure who you're asking... but I tried to find someone to make one... and the only place I could find that would even do it, wanted about $150... and he wouldn't even guarantee it would be perfect 90° angles! :o
Nobody else would even bother with it.
I was saying make it yourself, only making the legs longer. The threading for the micro adjust would be much more easily done before welding. If it is not square, then you have no one to blame but yourself. :-\
Here is the US400 compared to the regular US-105:
(http://home.exetel.com.au/dropbox/US400_.JPG)
The US400 horizontal bar length is 43cm (~ 17"), with the short arm of 6cm.
The legs are of the same length of 15cm in both the US400 and US-105.
Quote from: Elden on February 09, 2019, 05:27:53 AM
I was saying make it yourself, only making the legs longer. The threading for the micro adjust would be much more easily done before welding. If it is not square, then you have no one to blame but yourself. :-\
I would have to blame someone else... I don't weld. :D
Anyone wanting to "do it yourself" making a variation on the universal support bar will run into the same situation that Robin Bailey did originally. Unless one happens to be a skilled and tool equipped welder and machinist, the cost of having a "one off" product far exceeds the price of a ready made product including shipping across the globe. When comparing the price of a Tormek made support bar accurately welded from stainless steel and threaded with the proper12mm Acme thread to the effort and expense of doing it locally, the Tormek product is a bargain. When Robin first offered them to the forum, he needed to sell ten units to provide them at a reasonable price.
Very few Tormek users really need a US-400. Those who do are presumably either professionals or very avid amateurs.
Ken
UPDATE: We have 4 left right now. We expect to have 25 more available, but not until April. I would suggest that anyone interested in getting one order asap. Our experience is that limited shipments usually sell out before we receive them. This has been the case with the diamond wheels where we will just next week be getting the rest of what we ordered LAST MARCH, 11 months ago, resulting in continuous customer back orders.
Wolfgang
PS We only raised the price of the US-400 without the Micro Adjust by $1 since we learned that the shipping cost is considerably higher than what we charged at $49.95, and I think everyone chose the option with the Micro-Adjust anyway. We only offered it without the Micro-Adjust because that is how Tormek supplies it - we have to buy the Micro-Adjust separately for these supports.
Thanks for the update, Wolfgang.
Ken
I am sorry to report that yesterday we were informed that Tormek is not producing any more US-400 and that our order has been cancelled. We have been sold out and refunded the pre-orders we received for the anticipated April shipment. I don't know that Tormek can be moved to manufacture more of these - it is probably not cost effective.
Wolfgang
What is Tormek thinking? They make these US-400's and they always sell out, why not make more? Come on Tormek, keep on making them. Please.
Guess my dream of reviving the T-4000... are pretty remote... :(
(http://image.ibb.co/h2B6d6/T4000a.jpg)
Buh bye....
I regret that the US-400 is not currently being manufactured. If the company bean counters are concerned about how long the last batch required to sell out, I hope the remember that their existance has been probably the best kept Tormek secret.
Wolfgang, while we have you online with us, I have many questions from members interested in purchasing a T2. My frustration is that I wish they could actually see and try a T2 before purchasing one. One recent question was from a very experienced sharpener friend who lives in Virginia Beach, about a four hour drive from your store. I suggested he contact you and try to arrange a visit and chance to use the T2.
For most buyers, it is almost impossible to see and use a T2 before purchasing. The Tormek dealer stores I have seen generally have a sad looking T7 on a low shelf and perhaps a T4 in a sealed box. I have never seen a T2 at a dealer. I can understand why a dealer would not like the idea, however, the best opportunity I have found for a prospective customer is to purchase one from you (delawarewolf) through Amazon, with the thirty day return privelage. I would certainly strongly suggest that only serious buyers do this.
Do you have any other suggestions for a T2 buyer to see before buying?
Incidentally, your parts service is invaluable. Thank you.
Ken
Thanks Ken.
Regarding your comments on seeing and trying a Tormek Sharpening machine before purchasing it, particularly the T-2, your are correct - it is pretty much impossible.
I would also tell you that given the small dealer margins on Tormek Machines, the ever increasing shipping costs and the substantial selling fees Amazon and eBay charge, there is close to no profit selling a T-4 or T-2 on those sites. Getting a return per Amazon's and eBay's ridiculously easy return policies doubles the shipping cost and definitely puts us in the hole, in addition to the fact that we then have a used machine which can no longer be sold as new. That is why we reduce refunds by shipping costs, in and out, as well deducting the fees Amazon retains on returns, when customers return items to us that are not defective.
My best suggestion is to look at the videos on the T-2. There are 2 on our page:
https://www.advmachinery.com/products/tormek-t-2-pro-kitchen-knife-sharpener
The first is the flashy Tormek commercial, but the second at the bottom of the page, which we now have in English, shows how to set up and use the machine and I believe provides enough information for someone to decide whether or not they want to purchase this easy to use very specialized machine.
Wolfgang
You can test drive a $50k automobile but not a $500 or $800 machine. I get the fees on eBarf are prohibitive when you have to also accept Paypal payments. Just do not sell there or Amazon if the same problems exist. I have been bitten in the ass by their policies. You can only sell there if you have basically nothing money wise in your product. The Tormeks can still be set up in house for test drives.
Jeff,
I hope you are right in stating that the Tormeks can be set up in house for test drives. If one asks, will the local dealer do such a set up? Does the store have a sales person skilled with the Tormek to make a sale with a demo? Will the store management allow enough time for that demo? What about a T4 or T2?
From the customer point of view, is he willing to drive to the store? I would be willing; I drive the three hours each direction to Hartville Hardware occcasionally. Would most customers do that?
I think the practical answer is more practical, in depth videos from Tormek and its agents.
Ken