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I believe the best way to deal with misalignment of the universal support bar is to use the Tormek Parallel Set Up Tool. Used properly, this tool insures the grinding wheel is parallel with the universal support bar, and that the grinding wheel is flat.  This simple device can be used at two distances.

Tormek calls this tool the TTS-100 Turning tool Setter.  As of this writing, it costs approximately $34 US and is available at any Tormek dealer. Its use quickly becomes second nature.  Used with the Angle Master, it increases tool set up time and repeatability. Good light is imperative for accuracy.

Set the distance from the grinding wheel to the Universal Support Bar using the TTS-100 just like with turning tools. I prefer to use the "A" setting (a shorter distance).

Once the distance is set, use the TTS-100 in the same way near both edges of the grinding wheel to check for parallel.  Checking several points along the wheel will also verify that the wheel is flat.

Reestablishing the distance is easy enough to do, however, I prefer to leave the Universal Support Bar set. I have two support bars and each has an extra micro adjust nut.  The second nut serves as a lock nut. The US-105N Adjusting Nut presently costs $7.52 US. That's an expensive lock nut, but it matches the thread.

With the distance set, place a chisel in the SE-76.  Set the projection distance using the TTS-100, as you would a turning tool.  Unfortunately, the TTS-100 does not have a 45mm projection distance setter. This would allow setting a 25 degree angle bevel for a bench chisel or plane. This is easily remedied by using a piece of cardboard with a line drawn parallel at 45mm, or whatever projection distance gives you the bevel angle you desire.  Eventually you will want to replace the cardboard with something more sturdy.  A piece of plywood roughly 150mm x 150mm (6x6" for those of us still using the "English" measuring system) with a cleat on the bottom surface to hold it against the bench and a small piece of wood set back from the edge to match the bevel angle will do the job.  Several angle pieces may be set and marked.

Any changes for different bevel angles are done by altering the tool projection length.  Leave the grinding wheel to support bar alone.  It is set, parallel and the wheel is known to be flat.

With the support bar parallel with the grinding wheel at a consistent distance, all that is needed for the next tool is to pop it into the SE-76 using the projection "jig".  No measuring is needed.

Ken

Kenny's scenario is an example of situation where a Tormek owner really needs to spend some time with someone in "tech support".  Half a day with someone with factory training and/or a lot of Tormek experience would save the day.  Does Tormek have such a network of trained people? If so, how would a customer get in touch with the people in charge of the program who could set up an appointment for him?

In this particular case, waiting until Sweden is through holiday August 4 is not an answer.  Who would one call for real help?  By real help I don't mean a clerk who can look up SKU numbers and sympathize, but someone who knows the Tormek when it is working well and when either the Tormek or the customer needs some tweaking. 

The forum can help through many things, but sometimes a person needs to have an expert looking over his shoulder.

Ken

Kenny,

My daily routine includes two half hour trips by myself on the leg of the journeys when my grandchildren are not with me on the way to or from school.  Today I thought about your situation during my quiet afternoon drive to school.

Your situation brings to mind an old World War II movie. A German general looks up from the porch of his headquarters in a French chateau.  He sees an armada of allied bombers flying overhead.  He makes the comment, "Just once to have that kind of power."

You have that kind of power. Most of us are lucky to find two or three chisels or plane blades which need sharpening.  You have several hundred. What a blessing!

Am I correct in supposing that not all of your chisels and plane blades are premium tools lovingly used and maintained by skilled craftpersons?  If so, you might save yourself a lot of work in the long run by changing the bevel angle from say 25 degrees to 30, especially with the more narrow planes.  A narrow chisel needs a lighter blow to maintain the same force.  Having a steeper (stronger) bevel should make the edges last longer.

Your plane blade shouldn't have been ground so far out of square.  Judicious early use of a square will keep the blade from being so far out.  If a blade is out of square, only grind the long side until it is more true.  You can skew the blade, chisel or plane, in the jig a little.

If you are spending a couple hours on one plane blade, something is seriously wrong. If it took me that long, I would suspect my technique.  If I suspect the same in your case, please don't take it personally.

Taking the long view, once you have completed a sharpening cycle, you will be one of the most experienced sharpeners on this forum by a wide margin. Don't become discouraged.  Eventually a chisel or plane blade shouldn't take more than a few minutes.  Standardize.  Have a set length for blade projection and a set distance from the wheel to the support bar.  You shouldn't have to measure once these are established.

Don't get discouraged.

Ken

The question has come up about using a foot switch with a Tormek.  The specific application was to allow both hands to hold the back of a chisel against the side of the wheel during starting and stopping the motor.

A foot switch interrupts power to the Tormek. The new safety switch is designed to prevent the Tormek from unintentionally starting after a power failure.  I believe this switch is mandated by the European board of safety standards.  So, while the newer switch is safer, it is perhaps somewhat less convenient in this case.

Ken

This video seems very focused and informative. It also discusses dealing with an out of parallel grinding wheel and support bar.
Ken

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBF2NJCcgfY

I thought this might interest the turners on the forum:

Enjoy,
Ken

http://www.woodwrecker.com/woodworking/how-to/EllsworthGrind.pdf

I joined this forum in August of 2009.  Many things have changed since then.  The Tormek unit itself has become much more versatile with new jigs and components. Looking at the forum statistics, the forum has changed, also.  Sadly, we have lost several valuable members.  However, the forum has grown.  When I started, the ten posts with the most replies had around twenty replies.  Those don't even come close to today's top ten.  Jeff Farris was the only one who had broken the "day" barrier for time online. The member with the most new topics had seventeen.  (He is still in the top ten.)

Our longer threads seem to stay closer to the original topic, or at least related topics.  True, we do have some humorous "chatty" posts. These have been within reasonable limits and have provided some leavening to the discussions.

I believe we have benefitted many members, myself included.

In my opinion, the one major loss is not having Jeff as our moderator any longer.  His role in this forum has been invaluable.  In many ways his leadership is irreplacable.

The question is, what now?  Personally, I believe the forum has enough value to try to keep things together through the rough patch.  There will certainly be some bumps in the road until we hopefully get a new order established. I believe it will be worth the effort and would hope my fellow forum members will remain positive and patient.

Ken

One of the pleasant changes I have noticed in postings over the years is replies seem more directed to the original subject.  Yes, some humor is interjected, which is fine.  However, the very long posts with totally unrelated replies seem to have fallen by the way side. 

I have not had much luck with the search function on this site.  It is improved when posters start new posts for new subjects. 

Let's keep up the good work....

Ken

Herman, I recall you mentioned that you have a Warther knife from Dover, Ohio.  Part of the Warther sales policy is free sharpening of any knife they sell for life. 

Did you happen to watch them sharpening any knives?

Ken

Be sure to view the new video posted on the Tormek website (same site as this forum).  I have found the videos fascinating, and represent real world uses for the Tormek.

http://www.tormek.com/international/en/about-tormek/tormek-friends/

The imp in me thinks the horse factory sharpener might be just as proficient with an HK 50 jig!

Ken

In the Tormek section, Herman and Rob have been discussing the woes of properly setting up planers and jointers.  I count myself among those who would have such difficulties.

However, one tool I feel quite fluent with is the bandsaw.  i don't mean to brag.  I was fortunate enough to have had a day long seminar with Mark Duginske at the Conover Workshop twenty years ago.  Part of the class was a thorough demonstration of changing blades and setting the saw guides, etc.  Ever since then I have felt confident changing blades and my bandsaw runs quite well.

For those of you not fortunate enough to be able to study with Mark, I would recommend his bandsaw books and DVD. 

When I need to tune my jointer and planer, I will search for similar training aids, perhaps online.

Ken

For those of you who have decided to adapt your Tormek jigs to a dry jig, I believe you will find this article useful.  The authors, Williams and Clark, are two of the premier plane makers.

http://www.planemaker.com/articles_grinding.html

Enjoy.

Ken

I recently completed an on again off again project lasting several years.  I inherited a very cupped Indian stone from my grandfather.  Over the years, I have spend an hour with 90 grit carborundum powder; at least a couple hours with wet and dry paper; and finally about an hour with a Dia flat lapping plate.  It is finally flat.  I would not have bothered without the sentimental value.  Since I began using my Tormek, the oil stones get very little use.

The moral of this story is, regardless of whether you use oilstones, waterstones, or a Tormek, keep the stone surface regularly dressed and flat.

Ken

Be sure to enjoy the recently posted videos on this Tormek website.  Well done, and very interesting, Tormek!

Ken

[Both failed to function properly on my cutting board.]

I have sharpened two of my kitchen knives (8" chef and 6" slicer) on my Tormek.Both easily caught on my thumbnail and cut paper.

Both failed to function properly on my cutting board.

Ron Hock addresses the problem in his sharpening book.  Leonard Lee and Steve Bottorff do not.  The Tormek Handbook does not include it.  Not even Jeff's otherwise well done knife demo video mentions it.  (Sorry, Jeff.)

The problem is quickly and easily diaganosed.  The knife is held with the cutting edge against the cutting board. The blade is allowed to rock back and forth.  Any light shining through between the edge and the cutting board indicates a hollow spot in the blade.  That part of the blade will not cut completely; things like green onions will not be cut through.

Such a knife will probably be returned to the sharpener as unsatisfactory or taken elsewhere.

The problem is the curve of the blade has been compromised by incorrect sharpening.  This creates the flat or hollow spot.  The bolster may also need to be ground back.

I followed Ron Hock's suggestion of repairing the first knife using a belt grinder.  This method is quite satisfactory.  I repaired the second knife (with less of a problem)using my Tormek.  I am not an experienced knife sharpener.  I consider my Tormek repair to be barely satisfactory and somewhat hit or miss.

I believe the Tormek is capable of handling this problem better in more experienced hands.  I would welcome suggestions.  (A more in depth knife sharpening video would be most welcome.)

I believe mastering this problem is essential for anyone who wishes to sharpen kitchen knives for professionally,  as a restaurant owner, or for a home kitchen.

Please help.

Ken

I did some poking around the tormek site (same site se this forum, I'm a slow study).  Two places caught my eye:  "About Tormek" has some interesting reading about the history and philosophy of the Tormek company.  "News Archive" has a chronological listing of the various improvements.

The Tormek really is quite a remarkable product.  The website is worth a look.

Ken

I have noticed that many of us on the forum are either senior citizens or fast approaching it.  We may also have some younger members who are beyond their years in eyesight or arthritis.

Sooner or later, we must all face the fact that the time will come when we are no longer able to enjoy using the Tormek or do woodworking.  I believe our best defense against this time is sharing the ways we have devised of dealing with declining eyesight, diminished strength and arthritis.  We have a wealth or experience in this area, and sharing it can only help all of us.  Even those of us who do not yet qualify for senior citizen discounts (I'm thinking of you, Jeff) may have experience coaching older Tormek users.

I'll start the ball rolling with a couple thoughts, and hope others will chime in.

My "shop" in my former house was an unheated garage with terrible lighting.  Setting up my Tormek outside improved the light greatly, both in quantity and quality. 

My present basement shop has a finished ceiling and lots of fluorescent lights installed by the former owner.  The lighting looks fine at first glance.  The quantity of the light is fine; the shop is nice and bright.  The quality of the light is not so good.  There is no directional task lighting. It is difficult to see fine details.

Eventually I will probably have more task lighting installed.  For the present, I have several old Smith Victor lights left over from my photo side business days.  They are designed for 500 watt bulbs, but work remarkably well with ordinary 100 watt bulbs.  Placed on their light stands, they are  quite flexible.  They make seeing the angle master much easier.

I will pass the ball off to the next poster.

Ken

Obtaining a correct and consistent bevel angle with the Tormek and SE-76 depends on two adjustments:

1) The distance between the grinding wheel and the universal support bar

2) The projection distance of the tip of the blade to the SE-76.

Varying one of these will necessitate compensating with the other to maintain the same angle.

Maintaining consistent distances with both of these will insure consistent, repeatable bevel angles.

The usual Tormek technique involves using the anglemaster and varying the wheel/usb distance to compensate for whatever the blade projection distance happens to be.  While this produces accurate work, it involves needless steps.

The TTS-100 allows more efficient setup for turning tools.  There is no reason the same technique cannot be applied to bench chisels and plane blades.

The wheel/usb distance may be set using several techniques.  Using the "A" distance setting with the TTS-100 provides a very quick, accurate setting.  I happen to have a TTS-100.  This is the method I use.

The method of using wooden set up blocks as described in the Handbook also works well.  This method may also be used in conjunction with the TTS-100 when different spacing might be required for special jobs.

Using a second adjustment nut as a lock nut provides a simple way to "lock" the adjustment.  It is also easily removable for other uses. After adding the second adjusting nut, I have decided to leave it on.  It works very well.  The nut is available from sharptoolsusa.  (US-105N Adjusting nut with scale for universal Support $7.00)

The TTS-100 provides three slots for different projection lengths of turning chisels.  None of these three lengths corresponds to bench chisel length.  What I have done is put a short length of white label tape in one of the slots.  After checking the correct blade projection with the anglemaster, I hold the bottom of the TTS-100 against the SE-76 and mark where the tip of the blade is on the label tape.  That line is identified with the bevel angle.  The same thing may be done with a 3x5 card.  The edge of the card is placed against the SE-76 and the line is drawn and labelled.  Be sure to note the reference edge on the card.

With the wheel/usb distance set and the blade projection checked with the projection gage, future chisel sharpening will have the same bevel angle.

I believe using the leather honing wheel with the tool in the SE-76 jig is an efficient way for most users to remove the scratches left from the fine graded wheel.  I happen to have a second universal support bar, which I leave set up in the horizontal position for the leather honing wheel.

The TTS-100 can be used with the usb and leather honing wheel.  When checking an angle on the leather honing wheel with the anglemaster, be sure to reset the diameter to 220 mm. 

Initially results indicate to me that this spacer adjustment stays consistent when bevel angles are changed.

This allows the blade to be held in the jig for the removal of the scratches from the grinding wheel.  The only need for freehanding is now very light removal of the burr.

For those who do not have a TTS-100, there is a simple workaround.  I cut a piece of plastic conduit to 18mm length. 

First, set the usb distance to the leather honing wheel (not using the plastic spacer).  locking that distance setting, remove the usb from the horizontal support and place it in the vertical support, placing the spacer between the adjustment nut and the locking support on the Tormek unit.  This spacer happens to place the usb distance to the grinding wheel to the same as the distance to the leather honing wheel.

Once these distances are set, adjust only the projection length of the blade to obtain the correct bevel angle. note the projection length with a line on a card.

I realize this may sound complicated.  It is a work in progress.

Ken

Sorry, I thought this might paste with the photos.  I will find the link and post.  The photos include a portrait of Geoff Brown.

Ah ha....i was able to modify the post an include the link:

http://www.woodworkersjournal.com/Ezine/Articles/Tormek-Sharpening-System-3718.aspx

Ken



Tormek Sharpening System
Issue: Issue 5.06
Posted Date: 11/4/2003
Online Editor

 
   


The Tormek Sharpening System is based on this simple proposition: any woodworker should be able to keep his or her own woodworking, carving, or woodturning hand tools razor sharp. Starting with the basic system and detailed guidebook, different jigs allow users to put the perfect edge on everything from turning tools, to axes, to whittling knives, to planer blades, to curved gouges, and more.

It wasn't always so. Some of us remember seeing our grandfathers or fathers expertly sharpening tools on a big, water-cooled stone wheel that ran with a treadle, crank, or perhaps an electric motor. As long as it was part of everyday life, the skill of sharpening was handed down father to son. And they had half their lifetime to learn. But when amateur woodworking got serious in the late 1970s, direct connections to the farm, butcher shop, or forge were long gone.


Geoff Brown

According to Geoff Brown, Tormek's international marketing manager, that's about the time a young Swedish design engineer named Torgny Jansson returned from working in Liberia. He went to work for a manufacturer, but decided on the side to design a grindstone that ran off an electric drill. Growing up on a farm, he was familiar with traditional sharpening stones, but his concept maximized the torque on the stone by reducing the speed of the drill.

"Torgny eventually gave up his employment to concentrate on designing and building the machine and eventually founded Tormek," Geoff explained from his office in the United Kingdom.



Due to the relatively small Swedish market, Tormek began exporting first to Austria, which has a strong woodworking market, and of course to the other Scandinavian countries.

The product was originally designed to be suitable for knives, axes, and relatively simple woodworking tools, such as chisels and plane blades." Geoff recalled, "There were no jigs, everything was done freehand off a simple support. Very primitive support in comparison to what we have these days."

As sales volumes grew, however, the company put more and more effort into the development of specialized jigs. Geoff first encountered the product and Torgny at a big tool show in Cologne, Germany. With a long background in the tool and woodworking markets, Geoff recognized Tormek's potential and eventually started marketing the product in the United Kingdom.

Tormek's Multi-Jig for turning skew chisels, parting and beading tools and roughing gouges.

"When I got involved," Geoff recalled, "We started showing the product at the exhibitions and this led to more feedback from the end-users. In those days we had both the natural stones and man-made stones. But natural stone wore rather quickly and took a long time to remove metal, so our customers became dissatisfied with them and we switched to all man-made stone & that optimizes metal removal and minimizes stone wear."

As feedback came back from customers, the company began to specialize in cabinet making, woodturning, and woodcarving, developing special jigs for the tools involved. And eventually the drill driven option was dropped in favor of today's motorized Tormek

Nine years ago, they started to introduce the product to North America, Geoff and his wife drove around showing the machine to potential retailers. Competition at the time was mostly from the Japanese horizontal water-cooled grinders. As acceptance of the Tormek system grew in the United States and Canada, Geoff found similar woodworking markets in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa. And all the marketing material could be printed in the same language.

The market still guides the development and refinement of jigs and accessories. The heart of the system, however, is the Super Grind Stone, which is composed of aluminum oxide using a ceramic binder. This makes it wear resistant, while offering fast metal removal, and years of use.


Tormek Sharpening Handbook

Tormek now has nine jigs to sharpen all the various types of tools. According to Geoff, these jigs turn woodworkers into instant sharpening experts. The company also takes great pride in the enormous amount of help it gives people on how to use the product. The Tormek handbook -- which is always up-to-date on their web site -- is 150 pages with 509 drawings!

Today, Geoff and his wife keep customers up-to-date on product developments, still spend three months of the year visiting their overseas market, and are very active in exhibitions.

"U.S. retailers buy directly from the factory and distribute it to their stores," Geoff explained, "And we have a service center called Tormek USA, where anyone who has a question can ring -up and get instant advice on a machine they bought."

Though he can't discuss specifics on new products in the works, Geoff admitted that two new applications were in the pipeline. And like all Tormek's jigs and accessories, they will increase the versatility of the system and further simplify the complex task of sharpening.

Congrats, Mike 40!  I believe Jeff is correct in stating you are the fastest new member to reach 100 posts.

When I first joined this forum in 2009, no one had even reached fifty posts.  That would not happen for a while after that.  The most new posts was 17, and twenty replies would have placed a thread in the upper part of the top ten.

Not only are the numbers up, recent posts seem generally more interesting.  We had some good posts before, but not nearly as many as we do now.

I'm pleased to be a part of this forum.  i look forward to many more interesting posts.

Ken