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[I emphasize that no honing is used for the tested knives!]

Hello,

a lot of posts recently mentioned that for succesful deburring is necessary to have paper wheels, felt wheels, diamond sprays etc. I'll go against the flow, because it's possible to achieve exceptional sharp edges without any honing. With proper technique, exact angle settings and pressure when sharpenning you can get burrless apex and use honing for the final blade finishing but not for burr removing. Please note that this is not against felt wheels etc., it is just an advice that it is possible to achieve much better results than is expected, with proper technique only. Maybe it can help you to save some money to other toys.

I have to say that a good microscope is recomended for the observations what's going on the edge while sharpening. At this moment I have one with magnification 120x only which isn't too much to see a small burr, but it's still helpful if you know what are you looking for. Higher magnification (300x) is much better.

Now a few links to Pavol Šandor youtube channel, where is shown how the edge looks after sharpening, the last used stone is Tyrolit F1200 (3 µm), which is equivalent grit to JIS 4000 = Tormek SJ-250. On older videos (with tests) is the last used stone Tyrolit F400 (17 µm), which is equivalent grit to JIS 1000. I emphasize that no honing is used for the tested knives!

Finally, I would like to say that his videos inspire me a lot to think about my sharpening technique, changes and equipment which I really need. I am still far away from his skill but I hope that someday...

Spyderco - BOW RIVER - 8Cr13MoV - 30°: https://youtu.be/NXz7WB_qhqk?t=87
OPINEL 10 Carbone - "V" sharpening 30°: https://youtu.be/Z9TZ6rDXUIo?t=36
Rockstead RYO ZDP189 66.7HRc - "V" sharpening 35°: https://youtu.be/Iz5POMT0878?t=200

MORA FROSTS 9153PG 30° Tormek Tyrolit 17µm: https://youtu.be/OpeIyJXSebk?t=25


jvh

Hello everyone,

let me introduce AngleJig, another way how to set your Tormek for grinding. 

Basic idea is simple -  the angle formed by the tangents between the wheel and the universal support can be used for settings USB's heights. Angle t (tau) can be measured directly with suitable angle meter or indirectly with an inclinometer. Fixed jigs (e.g. plywood triangles) can be used with an angle ruler for direct setting too, it is similar as KenJig, but probably not so fast.

According to the performed tests the accuracy of setting is high, the large distance between the measuring points is very helpful. Setting with inclinometer is very easy, quick and universal for me and requires steel bar (magnetic) with stop pin only.

All calculations will be included in the new version of TormekCalc2, the functionality is ready, I'm still considering the look of the user interface...

For more information see pictures.


jvh


Bosch GAM 220 MF accuracy ±0,1°
Inclinometer INSIZE 2170-1 accuracy ±0,1° at 0° and 90°, other values ±0,2°

[TormekCalc]

Hello everyone,

let me introduce essential tool for all knife-sharpeners – TormekCalc.

TormekCalc is an Excel^* spreadsheet that offers exact calculations and many advanced functions related to knife or tool grinding. It is new generation of the original spreadsheet TormekCalc. Although it may seem more complicated at first glance, for basic calculations you have to enter exactly the same values as in other calculators - Projection distance, Wheel diameter, Grinding angle (and measured machine-dependent constants).


Current version contains these sheets:

• 
  TormekCalc
  
  It allows to calculate the exact distances/angles of different types of support bars from the grinding wheels or machines housing and thus obtain accurate grinder setting data to get desired angle after sharpening knives or tools. Although the name implies use with Tormek grinders only, TormekCalc can be used with any type of grinder.
  
  Main features:
  - Calculation of the Universal support bar (USB) height adjustment for all their types (Vertical, Horizontal, Frontal)
  - Calculation of angle between Universal support bars (USB) and grinding wheel surface which allows setting heigth of USBs with an inclinometer or angle meter
  - Calculation of the USB distance from the wheel surface
  - Grinding angle shift (e.g. for deburring where higher angle than initial is required)
  - Calculations are performed at the same time for all used grinding wheels!
  - Knife / Tool selection - loading stored Knife / Tool grinding data
  - Calculations can be made for different machines, machine selection is under grinding wheels
  - Database selection - loading data from different sheets (Knives or Tools)
  - Jig selection - loading stored jig specification
  - Visible height limits for universal supports US-105 and US-430
  - Knife / Tool info section – shows additional info for selected Knife / Tool
  - Blade material info section – shows additional material info for selected Knife / Tool
  
  
  


• 
  BatchCalc [Non-public module]
  
  Allows calculations for batch sharpening of multiple knives or tools without the need of repeated measuring because it calculates USB height difference between each steps and recalculates it to required Tormek Micro adjust nut turns. However all calculated heights are still available for USB setting or checking. For batch sharpening, of course, you need to have each knife or tool clamped in a separate jig. This version BatchCalc supports batch grinding up to 6 knives/tools in one go but it can be easily increased.
  
  Using and capabilities can be found in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qtyTKqQb1g
  
  Attention: For several different reasons, I have decided that Non-public modules will be freely available only to contributors and donors. Therefore shared public version of TormekCalc contains screenshot and the link to the presentation video only! There is a lot of work, time and know-how behind the development. If in doubt, please compare what the public version of TormekCalc (even the oldest) offers compared to commercially available applications. If you have further questions, you can send me a private message or e-mail message (see FAQ sheet in TormekCalc³).
  
  
  



• 
  Knives and Tools
  
  It allows storing data about sharpened Knives or Tools including used jig, clamping, grinding procedure etc.
  
  - "Picture" column automatically generates jpeg file name + link. To view a picture copy it to subfolder "Knives"  or "Tools" with generated name.
  
  
  


• 
  BevelCalc
  
  Allows reverse calculation of Bevel (grinded) angle through "marker method". USB height measurement can be taken from the surface of the grinding wheel or on any type of USB, it is also possible to enter angle between grinding wheel surface and USB.
  
  Jig selection - loading stored jig specification.
  Machine selection - loading stored machine constants.
  
  
  
• 
  EdgeCalc
  
  Allows calculation of the height and length of the grinded edge which depends on the edge thickness. Calculations are made for flat (ideal) grind and for grind on a wheel, which allows to show deviations caused by roundness of grinding wheels and compare ideal vs real grind. Stored grinding data can be loaded from database.
  
  
  
• 
  CompCalc [Non-public module]
  
  Allows calculation of the grinding angle compensation if wheels with different diameters are used for grinding.
  It is a problem which, as far as I know, was first described by Gilles in this post and calculated using the Polishing angle calc, which is still available there. CompCalc is based on Polishing angle calc, all credit belongs to Gilles.
  
  
  
• 
  Materials
  
  The sheet which allows storing and showing information about various materials used for knife or tool making and material related sharpening procedures or notes.
  
  Basic material information and material related sharpening procedures/notes are also displayed in TormekCalc sheet if the knife/tool is selected through drop down list and blade material is stored in the Knives/Tools sheet. If an exact match isn't found in the Materials table, program tries to find first match in the material Aliases, if the search is successful, offers the matching material, if not, it tries to find the match in the Proprietary equivalents.
  
  
  
• 
  Hardness
  
  A new sheet containing information/convert tables for different hardness scales.
  
  
  
• 
  Jigs
  
  Allows storing properties of various jigs (even own or from other producers) and consequently using them for the calculations and for quick jigs selection through drop-down list. It includes Projection length correction X+ which is intended for cases where it's imposible accurately measure the projection length (measuring point inside the jig). Correction X+ is then automatically added to the length that was measured at another point on the jig (e.g. SE-77).
  
  
  
• 
  Wheels [New]
  
  New sheet which contains a list of available wheels for various Tormek grinders (T-8, T-4, etc.) and possibly for other ones. On the TormekCalc sheet, the wheels in use are selected from this list.
  
  
  
• 
  Settings
  
  Allows setting default values for all sheets in one place.
  
  Allows specifying dimensional constants for different grinding machines. Defined machine setting can be used for calculation in TormekCalc and BevelCalc sheets and it helps in all situations when grinding on multiple machines. The machine selection allows automatic calculations without the need to manually enter dimensional corrections.
  Specification is universal and is not limited to Tormek machines only, it works virtually with any grinder.
  
  
  
• 
  FAQ
  
  Just a few answers to Frequently Asked Questions. (Single bevel knives, FVB, etc.)
  
  
  
• 
  Languages
  
  Multilanguage support. Currently available languages: English, Czech, French (thanks Gilles!) and German (thanks Stephan!)
  
  
  
• 
  VB [New]
  
  New sheet which contains VBA tools - Backup and Data Import from previous TormekCalc versions.
  
  

Ideas for improvement are welcome as well as feedback. Please feel free to contact me if you need any further information.


Enjoy!


jvh

*) Tested with versions Excel 2010, Excel 2013, Excel 2016, Excel 2019, Excel 2021. Not compatible with Excel 365 since version 3.10.
    Not compatible with Google Sheets and others which don't support Structured references.


Attention!

Due file size and forum restrictions (maximum individual size is 256 KB) is TormekCalc version 2.1+ available only via external web storage.

Download HERE (WebShare.cz, click Download File and then Download slowly, PM me for the password).

Current version 3.10
(TormekCalc_Public_v310.zip, packed size 2 859 167 bytes, TormekCalc_Public_v310.xlsm, unpacked size 3 000 289 bytes + sample pictures in the Knives and Tools folders.)

Hello everyone,

there is my version of Frontal vertical base, see enclosed drawings for details.

My first version had one threaded rod but I found it unnecessary because usually is FVB located on the stops or on defined steps. Therefore I made small notches on the surface with pipe cutter and I can replicate defined lenght easily.

Some notices:
- Adjusting rings are located 24,5 mm from the FVB body and it is minimum distance to avoid contact FVB with the Tormek's body (untouched painting). This distance can vary little bit on other machines.
- You can use round bar with drilled hole and internal thread instead of seamless tube.
- A little problem is with counter-nut's M5 tightening - there is not much place for the spanner. Something like Bahco 1931M-5 comes handy.
- Washers M8, ISO 7093 give enough support between tube and FVB body, the design is rigid. No problem after 6 months using.
- The dimension 30,85 (and 30,15 mm) can vary little bit too but it is exact distance to have my piece of Tormek Horicontal Base XB-100 centered with FVB body.

Enjoy!

jvh

[EdgeCalc]

Hello everyone,

for precise outputs and for an idea what's happening on the knife-edge during grinding I made EdgeCalc - Excel spreadsheet which lets you calculate deviations caused by roundness of grinding wheels. I plan to add this functionality to TormekCalc in the future but this solution is much faster.

EdgeCalc contains drawings with dimensions for better visualization and it will help you if you want to validate used math in formulas. I tried to describe all, but there can be problems with used terminology. If you have better idea please write it here and I will release updated version. Any ideas for improvement are welcome as well as questions.

Table is locked by default (without password), only three green input cells are editable. Feel free to unlock it if you know what you are doing.

Enjoy!


jvh

Note: File is compressed to zip format (forum restriction), you have to unzip it before using.

Hello everyone,

for precise grinding I am using TormekCalc - Excel spreadsheet which I made for:

- Height calculation of universal support bar (USB) from defined point on the Tormek housing.
- Height calculation of universal support bar (USB) from the wheel surface.
- Reverse calculation of bevel angle through "marker method".
- Knife database with the ability to load stored data from previous grinding.

Calculation is made for all used wheels (unused wheels can be hidden by column hiding).
Calculation is made for all USB's (vertical, horizontal and frontal).

Help is in comments (sorry for my bad English), drawing with used symbols and dimensions is included.

Table is locked (without password) by default, only input cells are editable. Feel free to unlock it if you know what you are doing. Improvement ideas are welcome.

Credit goes to Ton Nillesen and his book "More math for the Tormek grinder" which inspired and helped me a lot.

Enjoy!


jvh


Note: File is compressed to zip format (forum restriction), you have to unzip it before using.

Hello everyone,

as many others I had a problem with knife centering in jig SVM-45 and SVM-140, because jig does not center the knife correctly and bevel on one side is different from other side.

Therefore I made a centering bushing which is mounted on the jig. Bushing is eccentric and by turning left or right is a knife easily centered. Outside diameter is 15,3 mm, inside 12+0,1, eccentricity ca 1,6 mm, length 25 mm, lock screw M3x3, 5 mm from the end.

Outside diameter is still small to use adjustable stop without any limitation, moreove there can be a gap between the bushing and  adjustable stop (theoreticaly up to 6 mm), which allows to make angle corrections by turning adjustable stop. For angle checking I'm using Anglemaster WM-200 on opposite sides of blade.

jvh