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I hereby offer you $75 for your T-4 haha.

Actually, I'm with the others, keep both.  If you're going to do pro sharpening, having the T-4 can be a life saver if you get out to a client's house and the T-8 stone breaks in transit. 

Thanks Ken for the followup.  I went ahead and ordered a T-4.  Messed with it over the holiday weekend.  It is a nice upgrade over the T-3.  But I can also see the T-3 being helpful too.  Might use that for one of the Japanese stones. 

One thing I noticed is the T-4's top gets pretty hot during use.  I assume that's normal since you said it dissipates heat through the top.  Everything else seems sturdy and stable.

Also, was able to fix (for the most part) the bevel on my homemade carving knife I posted in the top thread.  I think part of the issue with that is the scales kept touching the stone.  It has a low 17 degree bevel.  I couldn't get it low enough to the stone without cutting off alot of the scales toward the edge.  Pardon the picture, I'm not much of a photographer. 

[every]

Thanks for the replies.  You've given me a lot to think about.  And I have more questions.  Hope my long winded response doesn't put you to sleep.

A few things about the T-3. I didn't know until maybe 2 years ago you weren't supposed to run it more than 30 minutes at a time.  There have been many a Saturday where mine was running 4 hours or more.  To this day, it still has the same power as day 1.  I know this because my stone grader sometimes gets stuck and the T3 throws the grader across the table.   I think that speaks to the high quality of the Tormek.

I also didn't mention how as I age, my eyesight is getting so bad for close up work, it's hard for me to see shadows and gaps.  So in my head was thinking the bigger Tormek might be easier to spot angles and setups, etc.  May or may not be the case.

I also spent a few hours watching Tormek videos yesterday and realized I've probably been doing things wrong all along.  Going back to my original book, there was rare mention of using the angle guide - it especially didn't sink in that I should be using the angle guide on both sides of the blade every setup!  I always used the 'sharpie' method which is slow in comparison and produces lackluster results on its own.

In the knife I pictured above, I did true the stone 2x with the TT-50 while grinding.  On retrospect, I think the wavy edge had to do with the awkward angle of the blade on the knife, coupled with the small knife holder mounted to the knife jig.  I have always had a hard time setting up that combination.  I seem to always get the knife slightly ajar in the holder or not parallel to the knife jig

Ken mentioned the universal support shafts of the T3 vs. the T4/T8.  The shafts on the T3 are plain annoying.  Removing and adjusting the universal support drives me crazy.  Removing it it's like having to violently jostle the machine back and forth.  One side of the support sticks, the other doesn't then that side sticks and the other doesn't. I'd rather do anything than have to adjust that arm between truing the stone and bringing it up to the sharpening level.

It seems most are suggesting the T4 over the T8 for my purposes - perhaps even sticking with the T3.  I expected everyone to say "get a T-8", so I am surprised.  The only jig I have problems using (besides the small knife holder + jig combo) on the T3 is the SVD-186 - but I only use that maybe once every 3-4 years. 

So now I think it's just a decision between sticking with the T3 vs. upgrading to the T4.  Considering the stone would be somewhere around $130 shipped, I am leaning toward the T4 since it includes the stone and would likely fix my universal support headaches.  If anyone thinks that's the right/wrong decision, please let me know.  Thanks again. 

Hi all,

I've been a Tormek T-3 owner for the past 14 years or so.  I have many Tormek accessories for wood turning, knife and chisel sharpening. 

I don't use the Tormek as much as my manual sharpeners due to the time required to set up jigs and whatnot.  I also have a problem where my knife bevels can end up wavy -which is very annoying.

But when I do use it, It's going for long periods.  I make specialty carving knives every now and again and rebuild knives.

I've probably gone through 3 grinding wheels in that time.  It's time for me to look at another stone.  Or I could put that money toward an upgrade to the T-8.  I am wondering if jig set up is easier and quicker on a T-8 compared to the T-3.  Also does the bigger stone prevent wavy knife edges?  Any other thoughts on what might convince me to pull the trigger on the upgrade? 

Wavy edge example attached. 

Hi all,

I am still using a T-3 and still love it.  But I notice as I age, I am having more and more trouble seeing the burr.  I've tried blasting LEDs at the stone + wearing magnifiers.  Nothing seems to help.  So unless it's a particularly sunny day I tend to sharpen by feel. But I thought I'd ask if there are any tricks out there to being able to see the burr more effectively?  ~ I am open to the idea I might be doing it wrong. 

Hmm.  have you ever carved a turkey?  I think that would be a good measure.  If you prefer the kitchen counter to the diningroom table for carving a turkey, then I'd go with the height of the kitchen counter.

There is always alot of viewing and smooth movements to be done.  Much like turkey carving. 

But on the other hand, I've used the Tormek on the livingroom floor so there's plenty of room to experiment. 

I've used a T-3 for about 5 years.  Restored a number of old antique knives for customers, razor sharpened every wood chisel. knife or turning tool I can find.  So now I'm making knives!

I don't have alot of time on the T-7 but I think the stones and honing wheels will sharpen a bit faster since they are bigger.  The stones will last longer too since there is more stone.  I've thought about upgrading to the T-7 but I also move my T3 around alot.  I'll sharpen in the kitchen, garage, livingroom, bedroom... wherever.   I don't think the T-7 is quite as portable. 

In these years I've gone through 1 stone. 

I think the only difference in sharpening quality would be like comparing sharpening a kitchen knife on a 1 x 3 inch pocket stone vs. sharpening it on a 3x6.  You would get faster results with the larger stone.  Not necessarily better.   

Ok, thanks.  I will give it a try.

dumb question, but how do I get to the bearings and how would I know when I've found them?

Hi all,

I've had my T-3 for maybe 5 years. Use it about once a week. Recently, it's starting to sound loud and make a bit of a rattling sound.  Was wondering if I need to oil something or do something to cut back the noise?

Hey all, over the years my dressing stone has become deeply concave in spots. Do you flatten yours or just leave it be?

This is way after the fact for this post but could be of use for others. In my life I have discovered that in all things you are able to use less of the amount alloted to you. You can never use what was never there. In short, buy more than you need and use what you need of that. If you need more it is alreadyl there.

Jeff, if I understand you, that's the way my wife thinks.  I am the opposite.  I tend to run things into the ground. She will buy 5 of everything, which leads to clutter.  I tend to say "we have 2 rolls of toilet paper, no need to buy the case of TP that is on sale." Which leads to 

Even she says I should get a new stone.   Haha

For what it's worth, I offered to sharpen a friend's old Henckel chef's knife one Saturday.  Admittedly, it had been run through the dishwasher for years prior.   After an hour and a half on the Tormek it still wasn't worth a d@mn.  Most confounded sharpening session ever. 

Finally, I got it to where you could shave paper with it - i.e. where you can shave fine stands off the edge of a sheet of paper.  (That is my standard)

While demoing the sharpness to him it shaved a few strands, then the paper started ripping.  It had actually dulled in front of our eyes!  He took it and threw it right in the trash. 

I am not saying the Henckel is bad quality or anything, but when they say to keep the knife out of the dishwasher, they mean it!  I have a set of Wustof knifes I'd consider similar quality 10 years older than his that still perform like new after sharpening.  But they have never been in the dishwasher 

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  The Tormek is a very good tool, but, like most tools, comes with a learning curve.  It is refreshing to see I am not the only one still learning with every sharpening session.

Nope, you're definitely not alone.  I did six Wustof steak knives the other day and there was a definite difference in my sharpening speed and quality on the last knife vs. the first.  It probably took 20 mins to do the first twice the last breezed through in less than 10 with a blade so nice you could carve walnut with it.

Another thought....wouldnt the wheel get so small that its diameter would cause it to fail making contact with the water trough?

I believe it would.  Currently, my stone dips into the trough about a 1/2 inch.