Messages

I live in SW Nebraska, the last 10 days have given us day time highs in the single digits.  I brought my saturated stone in the house
a couple of those nights.  The last two nights I mounted a single 75 W light bulb on a flexible lamp stand so that I could direct the
heat close to the stone.  It appears that this was enough to keep the stone from freezing, and allow it to dry out without removing
the stone.

John
The fun is just starting.  First if you have Tormek's set of turning jigs,
watch Jeff in the video.  He pretty much covers everything you need
to know to get started sharpening your tools.  The grey stone which
came with your T-7 is just what you want for most of your lathe tools.
I am sure your Sorby tools are HSS, so either the Grey stone or the
Black stone will work fine.  The Black stone will not work as well on
steel which is not at least of HSS or better hardness. Just make sure
you move your tool evenly across the stone so as not to make any
grooves from grinding in one place for any period of time, and you
will only notice normal even wear on the stone.  Again, make sure
to watch Jeff Farris in the included video, or go to YouTube for the
same video.  He explains everything in simple to understand steps.
Study the section on grading your stone.  You will not be happy unless
you change the courseness from initial shape grinding to final honing.
       Good Luck and have fun!!!!

I am making a three point tool from a 3/8 round blank that
I bought from Doug Thompson.  Does anyone have
an idea on what angle the tool should be ground at?

Thanks Mark
I think I might get both the 5/8 and the 1 3/8.

  I am considering the purchase of the Alan Lacer
1 3/8 skew.  Will it fit in the T7's skew jig?

   I have had my T7 magum kit for 4 days now, and am more enthused now
than when I bought it.  After watching the videos about 5 times, and reading
most of the questions on this blog, and Mr. Farris's answers, I dove in and was
very satisfied with all of the results.  I sharpened all of my turning tools and several
knives with excellent results.  The T7 is easy to use and makes a bumbler like me
look like he knew what he was doing. 
   The only problem I have had is setting the angle on some knife blades using
the angle master.  It will take some more practice on some of the more complicated
hollow ground blades.
   My dad is a pretty good knife sharpener by free hand.  However, when he saw the
results with the T7 he was very impressed.  I ordered him the small knife jig and angle
master to use with my old Grizzly 8 inch wet grinder.  I think that this will make him
a fair knife sharpener, even though it wasn't worth much for lathe tools.
   If you want really sharp tools without being really adept at the fine art of using
hand stones, buy one, and worry about the high cost later!!

  In watching the videos explaining the use of the knife jig, I noticed they were
making fine adjustments to setting the angle with the seat knob of the jig.  In
the video there is a set screw to hold the knob once adjusted.  My new T7 does
not have this set screw.  Does anyone have an explanation for this?

  I just did the same thing yesterday.  You will get an e-mail from Affinity
Tool Works telling you how to download the rebate form.  Then you can
either mail, e-mail, or fax the completed form along with a copy of your
purchase reciept back to them.

   I have just recieved a new T7 magnum kit, and am progressing
quite well.  It is a tremendous system.  All buyers remorse is over
due to the excellent job it does.  My spindle and bowl gouges have
never looked this good.  One was completly out of shape, and it
only took about 15 minutes to make it look like a million bucks.
   Could any one tell me if it would be possible to touch up a
ceramic knife on this system? 
   Even with the high cost of the system, I feel it will make me a
much better turner, and pay for itself in the long run.  There, with
that said I will feel better when the credit card comes due.