Quote from: Rossy66 on January 29, 2026, 03:08:21 PMThe reason I ask is that I am very happy with my current process of sharpening, diamond wheel then using the KS123 to set the same angle on the composite wheel as I suck at free hand honing, and a quick strop and I am good to go. Unfortunately, I have to take the diamond wheel off every time I strop which slows down my production. I contacted Tormek to see if they had any plans in the future for making a wheel the same 250mm as my diamond wheel so I didn't have to keep taking it off but unfortunately, they said no.
Looking on the internet, I found a company called SLIPAKNIVEN that sells felt deburring wheels that are 250mm so I checked on YouTube and found this video https://youtu.be/-HBpsQn7frY?si=5Vz2_x34dnnYYCMC
It looks great and would solve a lot of my problems and was wondering if anyone has had any experience using one and the pro's and con's of them.
Thanks
I think there are multiple, confounding things going on here, both with your process and desires and with Vadim's video and they are interrelated and or multi-faceted (and I'm struggling to figure out where to start).
1) set the same angle on the composite (for honing),
2) USB configuration,
3) take the grinding wheel off every time, and
4) position of the honing wheel.
1) Same Angle:
After Vadim's game changing research on honing angles for different types of steel, it is clear that honing at the same angle as the bevel grinding angle is less effective than selectively and purposefully setting the angle 1-2ยบ higher than the grinding angle is far more effective at removing the burr. That is clearly shown in the linked video, but that is not even where he demonstrates it as effectively as in some of his other work. If you haven't yet, get, study and understand Vadim's "Deburring Book".
2) USB Configuration:
You didn't say it, but is sounds like you are using the USB in the horizontal (front) slots for honing. This was the standard Tormek method until Vadim invented the "Frontal Vertical Base" (FVB), which adds a vertical adjustment component to the front USB position. Use of the FVB is clearly shown in Vadim's video and is key to, 1) lessening the conflict between the grinding and honing wheels and setting the honing angle to greater than the grinding angle. The FVB has become such an integral part of using a Tormek that Tormek itself modified their (MB-100) Multi-Base to incorporate the same functionality as aftermarket FVBs (a highly unusual move for Tormek), in their MB-102 Multi-Base.
3) Take the grinding wheel off every time:
The conflict between the honing and grinding wheels had been a long time problem, until advent of the FVB, necessitating removal of the grinding wheel in order to hone. Using an MB-102 or FVB puts the USB at a higher position over the honing wheel and, depending on the knife, can eliminate or reduce the movement conflict with the grinding wheel. This is still with using the leather or composite wheel for honing. I am one of probably many that find it still works better to take the grinding wheel off every time when honing and for me it is just part of the process.
4) Position of the honing wheel:
It sounds as though you want to put at 250mm honing wheel on the honing wheel side of your Tormek. I think that will just exacerbate the conflict issues, even with the use of and FVB (or MB-102). When I was using a 10" rock hard felt wheel for honing - it was mounted on the grinding wheel side of my T8, so honing was not done on the honing wheel side. If you notice, this is exactly where Vadim has his felt wheel mounted. Using the felt wheel in that position obligates changing the wheels every time. It is inescapable. One way to avoid this would be to have a second Tormek dedicated to honing.