Messages

Welcome to the forum, Marcelo.

My best advice for you is to study Tormek's online classes on youtube. These classes are readily available at no cost and are done by Tormek's teaching staff.
here is a link:

https://www.youtube.com/live/wMATay8ITE8?si=x7skyngvcNEitFal

The handbook is also an excellent learning reference.

The best choice of a first grinding wheel is the SG. The 200 or 250 refers to the wheel diameter. The 200mm fits the T4; the 250mm fits the T8. The SuperGrind is designed for woodworking tools and knives. It is a versatile wheel. I suggest it as your only grinding wheel as you learn to use your Tormek. You can always add other wheels later if you wish.

You can save much time if you use a notebook to record the timestamp for areas on the online classes for quick reference.

Keep us posted and do not hesitate to ask questions.

Ken

I believe the FVB (frontal vertical base invented by our late member Wootz) has been and will continue to be a game changer. My first experience with grinding away or into was with Steve Bottorff. Steve grinds almost all of the knives he sharpens away. The all to often overlooked factor in this is that from long experience and the time pressures of a busy farmers market schedule, Steve became very proficient in freehand sharpening. Freehand sharpening is much safer grinding away.

The FVB opens up new options by allowing vertical positioning in grinding away. I have long recommended having at least a couple 3/4" bench chisels (I recommend Irwin Blue Chip chisels. They are reasonably priced and reasonable quality.) Use them as learning/practice tools. I recommend having at least two in the same width. I actually have around a dozen, all 3/4" width.

Wootz (Vadim of Knife Grinders) was a real sharpening pioneer. He did much to advance sharpening. However, he was not the only pioneer and sharpening continues to evolve. Reasonably priced, reasonable quality learning/practice tools are essential parts of our learning kits.

Catches can be reduced by slightly rounding the two corners of the grinding wheels. ((Do not do this with diamond or CBN wheels or you will ruin them.)

Ken

Good question. Chisels are normally sharpened edge leading. This allows greater control by observing the water flow over the blade. If you have not watched the online class on chisels and plane blades, I highly recommend it. It is available in Swedish, English, French, and German. Here is a link:

https://www.youtube.com/live/wMATay8ITE8?si=XviTSUjkEuQmGo9s

Ken

A tool for setting grinding angles ideally should excel in three functions:
1) setting the Distance between the support and the grinding wheel
2) automatically compensating for different wheel diameters, especially for wheel
   wear
3) setting the Projection

The TTS-100 excels in all three of these functions with woodturning tools, for which it was designed.

Used for chisels and plane irons, it excels in the first two functions and can be adapted to be quite adequate for the third function. In my opinion, it can give superior accuracy than any programs which rely on measuring with digital calipers. This is a statement which requires supporting evidence.

In the precision machine shop environment, measuring tools are chosen for their inherent accuracy. The top of the totem pole are precision gage blocks. Gage blocks are precision ground from carbide or hardened tool steel. They are made in three grades, shop floor, inspection and laboratory. Laboratory grade blocks have tolerances within millionths of an inch and are returned in regularintervals to the National Bureau of Standards for recalibration. They are kept in climate controlled rooms and reserved for the most demanding work.

Our work setting angles with the Tormek is far less demanding. In fact, even digital calipers are far more accurate than is required. The weakest link is any system which requires constant measuring. The benefit of a tool like the TTS-100 is repeatability. Whether the actual angle is plus or minus half a degree off of 25°, or whatever angle is chosen really does not matter. Even though the TTS-100 is plastic, the settings for all the chisels will be consistent, as no individual measurement is required.

The setting apps are useful tools. I just don't think they are needed for everyday chisel sharpening.

Ken 

Huang,

My last school training in math was almost sixty years ago, so I am no math wizard.
Several things may help you visualize my chisel setting method.

Watch the online class on turning tools. Tormek designed the TTS-100 for turning gouges. I think it is a brilliant tool. It is unfortunate that Tormek never extended its use to chisels and plane irons. Here is a link:

https://www.youtube.com/live/7aHmc43RUY4?si=ogNnvw9dE7YmyAr5

As you are watching the bowl gouge set up with the TTS-100, imagine a flat chisel instead of a gouge. The two holes provide a fixed Distance between the grinding wheel and the support bar. The closer B hole is ideal for chisels.

With the Distance fixed, for the 25° bevel angle you want there is only one correct Projection. I placed a chisel in the SE-76 or SE-77 square edge jig. Using the fixed Distance, I adjusted the Projection using the WM-200 Anglemaster. This may take a little longer than using the Microadjust; however, it is only necessary for the first chisel.

With the Projection set, I placed the jigged chisel in one of the three slots of the TTS-100 and scribed a line with a Sharpie to mark 25°. That is "one and done".
Since that first chisel, I have never had to measure another chisel.

You are not limited to 25°. I originally set and scribed lines for several bevel angles. In practice, I have only used 25°.

Dutchman posted his grinding tables on the forum. They are pinned on the top of the knife sharpening section. They are the basis for my kenjig and the origin for the various knife sharpening apps.

The online class with Stig shows an excellent tip for grinding square edges on chisels.

Please feel free to ask more questions if this is not clear. It is easy, once you understand it

Ken

Even more fortunately, there is almost no need for adjustability with chisels. I have not needed to make adjustments for my chisels in over ten years. Chisels are normally ground with a 25° bevel. I use the TTS-100 for routine chisel sharpening. I set the Distance between the grinding wheel and the support bar using the B hole. This has the additional benefit of self correcting for any variation in wheel diameter. I set the Projection by scribing a line on a blank piece of labelmaker tape with a fine tip Sharpie placed in one of the three slots of the TTS-100. I did use the Anglemaster to set only the initial chisel.

I make no claim of inventing this. It is merely applying the Tormek method of setting up turning gouges to chisels (and bench plane irons).

Ken

In one of the Star Trek movies, Engineer Scotty makes the comment, "The right tool for the right job". I know skilled sharpeners who use the Anglemaster well. I am not one of them. Many years ago, I designed the kenjig as an alternative to using the Anglemaster with knives. In my opinion, the Anglemaster is an excellent tool, the right tool for setting chisels, but not for knives, at least not for me.

I really like the new KS-123. I was surprised by its very affordable price. For all of the complaining about the KJ-45 not having an adjustable end stop, the combination of the KJ-45 and the KS-123 will serve the knife sharpening needs of many/most Tormek users very well. Honestly, how many of us are really high volume knife sharpeners?

Knife and chisel sharpening are different. Tormek now has very efficient tools for each.

Ken

This video is an interview with Thomas Ericcson, Head of Production at Morakniv and a descendant of one of the founders. He has a wealth of practical experience. I was especially fascinated with his thoughts on "factory bevel angles".
Here is the link:

https://youtu.be/8KOsljuoVBQ?si=9YcjgQXI5le85Ij_

Ken

Baz and TGBTO,

Sometimes a good video will activate my "little gray cells". Your going an extra mile refining the convex grind makes me see the possibility of more refined convexing. I am not convinced about the practicality of rapid fire farmers market convex grinding. However, well controlled careful convexing might have a lot of potential, either for the sharpener/owner or a discriminating customer with a fine hunting knife.

I believe the keys to this control are allowing more grinding time with lighter pressure  and a finer stone AND consistent rhythm with the back and forth movement. "Fast or slow" is generally not consistent enough.

The great photographer, Ansel Adams, was also an accomplished pianist. He developed his large negatives in complete darkness. He kept a metronome in his darkroom to keep track of the developing time and insure consistent agitation. After some trial and error, the ticking of a metronome should insure consistency in the motion time. Adjusting the beats per minute would fine tune the consistency of the motion. Both mechanical and digital metronomes are very reasonably priced. Some of the digital metronomes are even USB rechargeable.

EDIT: I just checked the app store. There are numerous free metronome apps available. I spent many hours listening to my children's piano lessons. Today I'm sure people use an app on their phones.


Ken

PS my next little gray cells thought is using the round collar lock of the SE-76/77 as an adjustable second stop with the SVM-45. That is in very early stages.

One of my happy memories of visiting Tormek was meeting Sebastien. I was delighted to find him again on the Morakniv youtube channel. Tormek and Morakniv make a nice combination.

Ken

https://youtu.be/o2H7X2qQEZs?si=7DmviP1g8MZCck4V

I just received a notice from Sharpening Supplies that the present 10% sale on Tormek jigs and accessories has been extended until October 7.

Ken

Good thought!

Ken

Welcome to the forum, Andy.

If you use tormek.com to the register your Tormek, you can access and download the latest online edition of the handbook at no cost. I downloaded it onto my ipad and refer to it often.

I would also highly recommend the Tormek online classes on Tormek's youtube channel. They are solid information well produced.

Yes, you will want the latest TT-50 truing tool and the Stone Grader. If your universal support does not have the threaded leg and Microadjust, you will want one. It makes truing your grinding wheel much easier.

Keep us posted.

Ken

Piotr,
Here is advice directly from Tormek's experts:

https://www.youtube.com/live/aw4vJSUPXmk?si=hb1TbSq8YbVABkpr

Ken

Well said, John.

Ken