Messages

Somewhere I have a set of small chrome vanadium drill bits I purchased at K Mart about forty years ago.  They were inexpensive and designed for occasional wood use.  They were a lower cost option than high speed steel.

This week I purchased a set of Irwin "black anodized" bits.  They are supposedly good for "thin" metal.  I doubt they are high speed steel.  They should suffice for my intended use of predrilling wood and drywall for screws.
Ken

I have wondered about who began this forum and that person's intentions for it.

I have only been a member since 2009. At that time, no one had posted the fifty posts in order to qualify as a junior member.  Of those actively posting at that time, only Herman and I are still active.  The most active posts only had around twenty postings.

After a very cursory glance, it would appear the forum may have begun in 2003.  (That's when Jeff's data should his membership began.)  I am curious as to how much Tormek AB in Sweden has been involved in either the startup or ongoing direction of the forum.  I would also be interested in learning the founding expectation "parameters" for the forum.

I have not seen any posts from anyone directly associated with Tormek AB.  I have received two emails from an official in the company in Sweden.  I had posted a comment critical (in  a constructive way) of what I believed was a lack of video training aids.  For the record, I still feel that lack remains.

The founders apparently did not envision having photos included with posts.  While this may have been more difficult in 2003, I have not seen any effort put forth by the forum administration to facilitate posting photographs.

I have continued my grumbling about the lack of good training material in several private intraforum emails.  I believe Tormek AB is missing a very good opportunity to increase sales by leaving so many users lacking confidence.  I think it would be a fine addition to this forum to include solid training materials presented in an organized way which would not necessitate the iffy search protocols.

My impish side thought we should offer this help in at least two languages.  I would call them "fish and chips" and "Big Mac".  We are, after all, "two nations divided by a common language".  Including local terms together with explanation would add spice to the learning.

I have doubts as to who would take charge of such a project.  While we have some enthusiastic helpers, in my opinion, the only person on this forum with the breadth and depth of Tormek knowledge and field experience is Jeff.  Such a project might involve a lot more time than administering a forum.  To do the project well should involve photos, illustrations, and video. 

Perhaps a good start would be an article about setting up the Tormek and sharpening a chisel.  A second article might be sharpening and maintaining knives.

Because of the nature of the forum, the project could start small and evolve.

I welcome your thoughts.

Ken

I feel like a wimp.  After working in an unheated northern Ohio garage for almost twenty years, I moved south (to mid Ohio) and a heated basement shop.

A standard idea in photographic darkrooms is a film drying cabinet heated by a 25 watt lightbulb.  I would think a wooden box with a small lightbulb inside would be adequate to keep enough water warm enough for a Tormek.  25 watt would be a starting point......maybe 40 in Michigan and other parts of the arctic.

Don't give up, Sargent Preston, the Yukon needs you.

Ken

Welcome, John.  I second the good advice from Mike and Rob.  Find a good chisel and practice on it. Don't spare the Sharpie marker. Don't hesitate to sharpen and dullen it several times.  This will help give you a feel for the Tormek.  Don't be in any hurry.  Give yourself the chance to listen and feel the changes.  Practice until you can sharpen this chisel consistently.  This will give you a base to build on.

I used the dresser with a light pass on my Tormek when I first set it up.  I believe this is considered good practice with any grinder and wheel to synchronize them.  Make the pass very light.  You should be able to hear and feel when the dresser is cutting against the entire circumference of the stone. if you need a second pass, do so.  Keep them light.

Bypass these initial learning steps at your peril!  Going slow is the quickest way to become proficient.

Keep us posted.  Good grinding.

Ken

Rob,  two full time grandchildren and a move.....

Did the rest of you receive the emails from sharptoolsusa and advanced machinery today advertising the Multitool?  .....Great timing; maybe someone does read this forum.

Ken

When I purchased my first Tormek in 2009, the knife jig was the first accessory I added.  When  first looked at it, I noticed the sloppy casting and was not impressed.  I tried it with one of my knives with so so results, and put it away. I went back to my preferred method of using a 1000 grit waterstone.

Recently I have been thinking I should give the knife jig another chance.  I may have not properly factored in the possibility of operator inexperience.

Today was that second chance.  Either the jig improved with hibernation or my skills may have grown.  Within a very short time four of my favorite kitchen knives are now paper cutting sharp. I am impressed.  I took out my trusty six inch mill file and smoothed up the casting.  (Maybe my jig was made on a Friday or another less than optimum time.)  The sloppy casting is now forgotten.

If anyone in Sweden is reading this, not cleaning up the casting does not leave a positive first impression.  Fortunately examining the EZYlock shaft was much more impressive.

Ken

Herman, I seem to remember an old carpenter saying, "A good framer is worth two trimmers."

I think some of can remember when that hot shot kid decided to make square wheels round!

Ken

Thanks, Herman.

Your sharpening circular saw blades with a file between your knees reminds me of some of the field conditions I had sharpening telephone drill bits.  Not pretty, but they cut well.

Ken

Mike,

Amid our joking about full member status, I just lost mine....... The other guy is one of your neighbors in Missouri.

Ken

Good point.  I hadn't thought of that.

Ken

Mike, check out the Multitool on sharptoolusa's site.  If I didn't already have a good belt grinder I would add it to my want list.  It looks like a very solid product.

Ken

Bravo, Jeff!

Incidentally, I have the DVD and drawing for that episode.  It was good purchase.  I also remember you post that you put all the drawers on one side of the work station.

Good story.

Ken

Mike, I believe you have the added distinction of being the first full member from Kansas. You should contact your local newspaper, if for some reason they are not yet aware of your honored status.

Joking aside, when I first joined this forum about three years ago, no one had yet posted even fifty posts.  The longest threads had about twenty posts.  The longest thread, with 130 posts, was a result of a member not wanting to start new topics.  It became quite clumsy.  We are progressing. 

I welcome the growth in the forum, and look forward to continued growth.

Ken

A hint to Tormek dealers who would like to sell more Tormek jigs:

Whenever someone purchases a Tormek, include a coupon for a free pair of inexpensive scissors.  (Or the scissors themselves.)

Or, to the Tormek users, (myself included), give up chips for a couple days and buy a pair of inexpensive scissors.  Why debate whether or not to attempt to sharpen a valued pair, either value of sentimental value?

I'm in almost the same situation as Rob.  (Almost because I do have the scissors jig.  My local Tormek dealer had a couple 20% off sales, and I loaded up.)  My reservation with buying the ax jig is that I don't own an ax.  If I should decide to purchase the ax jig, should I also purchase an ax?.....

Ken