Hello everyone,
I recently purchased a Tormek T-8 system, and I'm really excited to dive deeper into sharpening my tools, particularly chisels, plane irons, and turning tools. I primarily work with high-carbon steel tools but occasionally have high-speed steel (HSS) tools as well.
After reviewing the accessories, I'm a bit uncertain about which grinding wheel would be best suited for my needs. I currently have the standard SG-250 wheel that comes with the T-8, but I'm considering investing in an additional wheel for better performance, especially for HSS tools and potentially faster sharpening.
Here are a few questions I hope you can help with:
CBN vs Diamond Wheels – For HSS tools, I've read that CBN wheels are highly effective. However, is there a significant advantage of using diamond wheels over CBN for sharpening HSS and high-carbon steel tools? Or is one clearly better for my specific use case?
Grit Size Recommendations – Should I consider getting multiple wheels (e.g., coarse and fine grit) to balance reshaping edges and maintaining a razor-sharp finish? If so, what grit sizes do you recommend for general woodworking tools?
Maintenance and Longevity – For anyone using CBN or diamond wheels, how do they hold up over time compared to the standard SG-250? Are there any tips for maintaining them?
I would really appreciate any insights or recommendations from those of you with more experience using these wheels. I want to make the most out of my T-8 setup while ensuring I'm investing wisely in additional accessories.
Thanks in advance for your advice!
I recently purchased a Tormek T-8 system, and I'm really excited to dive deeper into sharpening my tools, particularly chisels, plane irons, and turning tools. I primarily work with high-carbon steel tools but occasionally have high-speed steel (HSS) tools as well.
After reviewing the accessories, I'm a bit uncertain about which grinding wheel would be best suited for my needs. I currently have the standard SG-250 wheel that comes with the T-8, but I'm considering investing in an additional wheel for better performance, especially for HSS tools and potentially faster sharpening.
Here are a few questions I hope you can help with:
CBN vs Diamond Wheels – For HSS tools, I've read that CBN wheels are highly effective. However, is there a significant advantage of using diamond wheels over CBN for sharpening HSS and high-carbon steel tools? Or is one clearly better for my specific use case?
Grit Size Recommendations – Should I consider getting multiple wheels (e.g., coarse and fine grit) to balance reshaping edges and maintaining a razor-sharp finish? If so, what grit sizes do you recommend for general woodworking tools?
Maintenance and Longevity – For anyone using CBN or diamond wheels, how do they hold up over time compared to the standard SG-250? Are there any tips for maintaining them?
I would really appreciate any insights or recommendations from those of you with more experience using these wheels. I want to make the most out of my T-8 setup while ensuring I'm investing wisely in additional accessories.
Thanks in advance for your advice!