The phrase, "including, but not limited to" is a legal phrase which can also apply to the Tormek machines. Tormek marketed the smaller, 200mm diameter wheel machines as being for hobbiests. With no disrespects intended toward hobbiests, I believe the improvements introduced with the T4 go well beyond the hobbiest realm. In fact, the machined zinc top designed to limit the heat of the T4 later became the primary difference between the T7 and the T8. The old "thirty minute duty cycle" is a leftover from the certification test for older models with all plastic housings which retained the motor heat. The machined zinc top of the T4 (and T2) acts like a radiator and disperses the heat. It also provides a three bundred percent precision improvement in the alignment of the main shaft and support sleeves.
The standard size of dry grinders in 200mm wheel diameter or "eight inch" in the US. Many old timers like me are still using fifty year old smaller six inch grinders. While the reigning champ is still the 250mm grinding wheel, the T4 "hobby" wheels are the same diameter professional eight inch dry wheels, and the Tormek wheels are thicker.
The Tormek 200mm universe is still evolving. A major step forward was the introduction of diamond wheels. These were first introduced as the DWF-200 and DWC-200 for the T2. Within a half hour of the arrival of my T2 and DWC, I discovered the DWC was also a perfect fit for the T4 and greatly increased its "horsepower". The switch from the DWS wheels to the DW series made flat grinding using the side of the wheel possible and added the extra fine wheel to the lineup. (The slanted composite honing wheel of the T2 also fits the T4.) In my opinion, the T4 wheel evolution is still not completed. I hope Tormek will eventually introduce a SB-200 blackstone.
Still underdeveloped markets for Tormek are older users and users with smaller workshop space. A T8 is a lot to carry for us senior citizens. A T4, especially with its grinding wheel removed, is pleasant to carry and requires less shop space. In a larger shop with a permanent space, this is not a problem. For a senior or an apartment dweller, this could be the deciding factor between a Tormek and going back to bench stones.
I am not advocating the T4 regular or Bushcraft for everyone. There are certainly situations where the T8 is the logical choice. High volume professional sharpening or situations like regularly sharpening larger drill bits certainly favor the T8 size machines. All of the jigs work with the T4, although some heavier applications favor the T8.
When the T4 was first introduced in 2014, I remember posts suggesting the T4 as a "starting" Tormek, with intentions of eventually "upgrading" to a T7. I don't recall many posts from users who eventually made that switch. Some, no doubt, coveted the "big engine V8"; however, I suspect most realized that the T4 was quite capable of handling their needs.
Incidentally, except for the color and marketing, the regular and Bushcraft models are identical. Neither is limited to hobby use.
Ken
The standard size of dry grinders in 200mm wheel diameter or "eight inch" in the US. Many old timers like me are still using fifty year old smaller six inch grinders. While the reigning champ is still the 250mm grinding wheel, the T4 "hobby" wheels are the same diameter professional eight inch dry wheels, and the Tormek wheels are thicker.
The Tormek 200mm universe is still evolving. A major step forward was the introduction of diamond wheels. These were first introduced as the DWF-200 and DWC-200 for the T2. Within a half hour of the arrival of my T2 and DWC, I discovered the DWC was also a perfect fit for the T4 and greatly increased its "horsepower". The switch from the DWS wheels to the DW series made flat grinding using the side of the wheel possible and added the extra fine wheel to the lineup. (The slanted composite honing wheel of the T2 also fits the T4.) In my opinion, the T4 wheel evolution is still not completed. I hope Tormek will eventually introduce a SB-200 blackstone.
Still underdeveloped markets for Tormek are older users and users with smaller workshop space. A T8 is a lot to carry for us senior citizens. A T4, especially with its grinding wheel removed, is pleasant to carry and requires less shop space. In a larger shop with a permanent space, this is not a problem. For a senior or an apartment dweller, this could be the deciding factor between a Tormek and going back to bench stones.
I am not advocating the T4 regular or Bushcraft for everyone. There are certainly situations where the T8 is the logical choice. High volume professional sharpening or situations like regularly sharpening larger drill bits certainly favor the T8 size machines. All of the jigs work with the T4, although some heavier applications favor the T8.
When the T4 was first introduced in 2014, I remember posts suggesting the T4 as a "starting" Tormek, with intentions of eventually "upgrading" to a T7. I don't recall many posts from users who eventually made that switch. Some, no doubt, coveted the "big engine V8"; however, I suspect most realized that the T4 was quite capable of handling their needs.
Incidentally, except for the color and marketing, the regular and Bushcraft models are identical. Neither is limited to hobby use.
Ken