They are both definitely wobbling in synchronization. A bent shaft, this is troublesome I just spent 900 on the hand tool T7 package and had read nothing but positive things about the machine. Does this mean I will have to send the machine back to Tormek? I ordered it from sharpeningsupplies.com. (I apologize if URLS aren't allowed, I didn't read the rules :x).
As for the angle, I have been using the sharpie method and "eyeballing" the best angle with the micro adjuster and the blade in jig, resting against the stone with machine off. I have a very intimate feel for a good angle for the thickness and wear level of a given knife blade. Though I am going to run a few through tonight precisely measuring the 40 degree total angle(20 on each bevel) to see how they come out. My main issue with the jig control is that the jig is not anchored to the support , and therefore the direction of the stone's movement is "kicking" the knife upward and causing the edge to come into direct contact with the stone, at best ruining the edge, and I see a risk of severe damage to the stone with a hard enough blade. Applying additional pressure to hold it true just causes the machine to push against me even harder. I had imagined perhaps the wobble is contributing to this problem, though after further reading I do see that the Tormek is very different from most of the machinery I have used in the knife sharpening business and a learning curve will be present irregardless of my skill level.
I am considering trying to free hand semi-convex edges on it to wire edges and finish freehand on the honing wheel. Do any guys seem to get good results that way who are experienced with freehanding other grinding and buffing equipment in respect to knife sharpening? I have an F.Dick knife honing machine on the way from Germany which will help finish the razor hone on kitchen knives, but I believe the Tormek finish done right would probably be ideal for thicker, harder knives, and anything requiring a convex edge, which i would start with my belt grinder, and finish a slight secondary cutting bevel on the Tormek.
Overall, I purchased the Tormek because I did my research and determined it was a versatile, reliable, and well liked piece of equipment, and that I could use it to sharpen a wide variety of different tools and blades with the jig system that free hand methods or commercial knife equipment cannot touch, therefore expanding my possible customer pool.
As for the angle, I have been using the sharpie method and "eyeballing" the best angle with the micro adjuster and the blade in jig, resting against the stone with machine off. I have a very intimate feel for a good angle for the thickness and wear level of a given knife blade. Though I am going to run a few through tonight precisely measuring the 40 degree total angle(20 on each bevel) to see how they come out. My main issue with the jig control is that the jig is not anchored to the support , and therefore the direction of the stone's movement is "kicking" the knife upward and causing the edge to come into direct contact with the stone, at best ruining the edge, and I see a risk of severe damage to the stone with a hard enough blade. Applying additional pressure to hold it true just causes the machine to push against me even harder. I had imagined perhaps the wobble is contributing to this problem, though after further reading I do see that the Tormek is very different from most of the machinery I have used in the knife sharpening business and a learning curve will be present irregardless of my skill level.
I am considering trying to free hand semi-convex edges on it to wire edges and finish freehand on the honing wheel. Do any guys seem to get good results that way who are experienced with freehanding other grinding and buffing equipment in respect to knife sharpening? I have an F.Dick knife honing machine on the way from Germany which will help finish the razor hone on kitchen knives, but I believe the Tormek finish done right would probably be ideal for thicker, harder knives, and anything requiring a convex edge, which i would start with my belt grinder, and finish a slight secondary cutting bevel on the Tormek.
Overall, I purchased the Tormek because I did my research and determined it was a versatile, reliable, and well liked piece of equipment, and that I could use it to sharpen a wide variety of different tools and blades with the jig system that free hand methods or commercial knife equipment cannot touch, therefore expanding my possible customer pool.