Messages

Looks good!

I always suggest providing/including the "USB to Wheel" result, as an alternative to setting the height. Some users prefer this method of setting the USB height.

I am curious... it looks like you're setting the height by measuring to the top of the adjusting nut (if so, good idea), but I noted in the one example on your website the result matches measuring to the top of the machine.  (Maybe the idea changed after you posted the image, or I misunderstood?)

Hopefully, you're not including the "blade thickness" to calculate the result.... 

But overall, looking good!

p.s.  The "setup calculator" may be a little "off putting" for some... you may consider providing some of the common (or ones you've already calculated) horizontal and vertical measurements, so everyone doesn't have to do them.

Sharp eyes, cbwx34, and I appreciate your comments! I've replaced wrong images on the website (you are correct; I modified the code after I created the images, and yes measurement is from the top of the adjustment nut). Blade thickness is relevant to Chord angles, single bevels and using the SE-77 jig...so no this doesn't factor for those images.

It's relatively straightforward adding a second calculated measurement (to the wheel). I support the user having freedom to choose - which is why I provide both apex and chord angle settings (most want apex only but some might want chord for certain scenarios). So - I will add this to the app.

My reasoning for measuring from the adjusting nut: I wanted a consistent method and found that when I used my FVB for edge-trailing grinds, I could barely measure past the adjustment nut to the support clamp. I also didn't really like the longer measurement from the USB to the machine as it was awkward/ungainly getting the caliper properly vertical. Measuring to the adjustment nut is shorter, easier and more accurate (caliper is beside the support), with the downside of additional one-off measurements.

The app is preloaded with default values for the Tormek T-8, based off my own machine. But I've found there are slight differences in values used elsewhere. I advocate for the user to verify their own equipment and use the defaults as a guide. If accuracy really is important, then this one-off exercise (do right, do once) shouldn't be a barrier.

Hi all

I wanted to open with a bit of history, since I know Vadim (and his apps/book/knowledge) meant a great deal to people here. I was one of his customers myself — I'd bought and relied on his grinding-angle calculators for Tormek, and his FVB that I bought. After he passed in 2022 and the tools stopped being maintained, one of the apps stopped working properly, and I ended up building my own replacement just to keep going. That grew into something considerably bigger than I'd originally set out to make (I had a few eureka moments along the way!), and it's become an Android app I'm calling JigSteps.

Where Vadim's tools handled one grind step at a time, and one app per equipment type/position, JigSteps walks through a full multi-stage sharpening sequence (steps) as the user chooses — coarse through to polishing/honing — recalculating exact support heights and angles at every stage, on any valid machine/equipment setup. The blade/jig is kept unchanged throughout. It's based on the Tormek T-8 and is compatible with any wheel-type grinder, plus flat/belt setups (I even built-in the Tormek SE-77 jig). It relies on the user creating a library of all equipment they use for jig sharpening, so the geometry lends itself to any similar machine. Once this is done, it is very easy to create the steps intended for the item being sharpened. Lots of clear diagrams are included to explain what is measured, and where the calculated output is measured (it is not the same as Vadim and others have used - I think it's better!).

The app is heading into closed testing on Google Play before public launch (this is a fairly recent requirement as  I understand it), and I'm looking for around 15 people to try it out on the and give honest feedback. It's a real install through the actual Play Store (nothing sideloaded or emailed), and the only ask is a 14-day window of actually using it (Google Play monitors this).

For those that are selected for beta testing, as a thank you for helping me get this into production you'll get a free copy of the full release version.

The app will have free support for life (other than major upgrades), is a pay-once app that you actually own (no subscription), and has no link to any server other than the Play store. I'm finalising price but I'm likely to be around the $14.95 (USD) mark.

The app has a companion website with a full guide and equipment setup info, at https://jigsteps.app — that's also where anyone interested in testing can get in touch directly.

If this proves useful, I'll look at creating an IOS version for the Apple fans.


Thanks for your interest!
Andre