Messages

Further, if it is necessary it true the wheel before any use, then the  TT-50 should be included with any starter kit and should be included in the instructions.

Hi Rich

Yes I understand the process of setting up an artisan made tool. However, the marketing of these expensive machines highlight the high quality of construction. The machine I bought displays no such qualities.
My experience of Tormek has found the quality control to be on par with woodworking tools purchased on Temu.

I appreciate both your replies.
However, they both suggest it was the result of user error. I suggest it was the result of manufacture error...

I would expect as a minimum that the two main wheels were true from the factory.
Why should the burden of measuring, aligning, trueing, and general quality control be left to the consumer when they have purchased over $2000 of equipment? To say I am disappointed is an understatement. To have buy a trueing tool to simply not damage my tools at initial purchase and to correct manufacture error is appalling. Even if I expected the need to purchase one in the future.
I think will stick to stones, even tho $150 for the trueing tool is insignificant to the total cost. I just don't want to give them another cent of my money.
I have decided to sell the machine.

So a year ago I spent a small fortune on a T4, 8 jigs and the small stropping wheels. I'd been dreaming of it for decades.

When I got it home I spent an afternoon trying to sharpen a chisel. Read the manual, watched the videos, checked chisel for square in jig, tightened everything, etc, etc... and ruined the existing bevel as I watched it grind one side more than the other... read again, watched again, used a bigger square when setting up etc, watched the same result. Then I tried a plane blade. Again it ground more on one side. I didn't dare try any of my carving chisels. I then spent the evening hand shaping the damage done. Once they were done I thought I would give the strop a go, well that had a hard lump at the join that was so big the chisel jumped off the wheel and took the edge off... in disgust I put all back in its box and on a shelf out of sight... I didn't want to be reminded of the huge financial mistake I'd made.

It's sat on the shelf until today. Surfing around YouTube watching carving videos, up pops one about correcting Tormek wheels out of square. I watched, got the box off the shelf, lowered the bar down to the wheel, and Lo! Light shining thru on one side! It was out of square from the shop! Then I searched around and found a video where a Tormek rep talks about one in a thousand stropping wheels need a sand at the join! Another problem fixable.

So to correct my wheel, I would need to give more money to Tormek... or I could continue to cut my losses, leave it on the shelf for another year or two then sell it to some poor sod... Should I persist? Should I give them more money? Is it worth the risk given my experience of their low quality control???

To tell the truth, I'm think I'm more angry today than when i bought it. Back then i felt embarrassed I could spend so much for something so useless...