Messages

I am in the process of rehabbing my closets.  I really like the versatility of Closetmaid adjustable shelving.

In the past, I have hung the vertical supports using a level.  Since the move last year, I am now starting with the horizontal support bars.  That lets me place the vertical supports without being so dependent upon screwing them into a stud.

I finally purchased a twelve bolt impact driver.  What a tool!  No more aerobic exercises with a screwdriver.  I have an older drill driver, but never liked worrying about camming out the screw.  The impact driver does a much better job.

As a homeowner, I appreciate the smaller, lighter size of the twelve volt tools. The new llithium batteries seem much improved over the old ni-cads.

I purchased a close out.  The company (Milwaukee) has redesigned the tools with improved brushless motors.  Ideally, I would have purchased the improved models.  However, for my use, last year's tradesman models are more than sufficient.  I don't predict much use for my longtime favorite Yankee screwdrivers in the future.

Ken

I second Rob's thoughts.  Keep posting, Elden.

Ken

Trevor,

Welcome to the forum.  You post a very good question.  When considering whether to choose a T7 or T3, it is important to factor in the cost of the stone grader and diamond wheel dresser. These are included in the initial cost of the T7.  They are not with the T3.  They are really not "optional extras".  The necessity of occasionally truing the wheel or removing glazing is just a fact of life with grinding.  It would be possible to get by without a stone grader.  However, not being able to switch stone grits with the Tormek would necessitate purchasing another form of finer grit abrasive. 

For a hobbyist woodworker sharpening planes and chisels, I'm sure the T3 would be a good machine. Adding in the cost of the diamond dresser and stone grader, I'm not convinced it is really a better bargain.

I would not use a Tormek alone for making knives. My first suggestion for you would be to purchase a copy of Ron Hock's sharpening book.  Do a google on "Ron Hock".  Ron has a very informative website.  I consider his book a must have part of every sharpener's library.  While you are at it, look into Leonard Lee's book and DVD, as well at Tom Lie-Nielsen's book.

We don't expect to turn with only one chisel.  We don't expect one hammer to do it all.  Even a highly tuned jack plane with multiple blades is no real substitute for individual tools.  We should not expect the Tormek to be the tool for all seasons.  It's great for many kinds of sharpening and minor shaping.  Expecting it to handle major shaping on a regular basis is like expecting your car to haul lumber.

Joel Moskowitz has written an excellent article on using a dry grinder more effectively.  You should be able to find it with a google or on the Fine Woodworking site.  I use a very coarse Norton 3X wheel on my old dry grinder.  I once had to remove decades of mushrooming on some wood splitting wedges.  With the mass of metal as a heat synch, I wasn't worried about overheating the metal.  The coarse stone did the job in very acceptable time.  If I did not have the Tormek, I would also dress the wheel with a crown (instead of flat) as recommended in the article.

For knife shaping and hollow grinding, I would use a belt grinder.  Mine is an old Dayton factory grinder which I found in need of TLC for $25.  For a nicer version, check out the Multitool on sharptoolsusa.

Do keep us posted.

Ken

This post brings up a couple side issues: 

While the Tormek removes much of the hard manual labor of sharpening, having good working conditions is very important.  Having the machine at a comfortable working height is critical to long term success.  I have found the same thing when using kitchen knives as well as when sharpening them.  Find a comfortable height and keep your Tormek there.

Another overlooked important issue is working in good light.  I had a lot of difficulty using the anglemaster gage until I set up my Tormek outside one day.  (I was working out of a temporary garage shop at the time.) The proper light made all the difference.

I fully intended to sharpen my jointer blades (4").  A local repair shop replaced the bearings, and while there, had the blades sharpened.  So, I have not gone the route of the marathon jointer blade sharpening.  for those of you who have gone that way and had problems, did you change out the water during the operation?  I have been amazed with the amount of swarf generated by sharpening just a couple chisels, and the amount of steel clinging onto the magnet.  Clean water couldn't hurt, and it might keep the stone cleaner and working better.

Ken

Sorry, "spidered" isn't part of my vocabulary.  I guess my last millennium roots are showing.  Three thousand hits on  three year old posts does not seem unusual to me.  The one post was about a guy trying to save some money by buying a less expensive Grizzly base to go with his Tormek accessories. I suspect there are many, even many on this forum, who considered going the less expensive route.

The other post concerned the Tormek being slow, another popular topic.  I think this post would be interesting to revive, as it seems to have merit. 

I wonder what happened to the initial poster who had purchased all the stuff, but no machine.  I suspect he has moved onto buying other things to store in his basement.  I feel sorry for him; I don't think he will ever experience the joy of creating a really sharp edge or creating anything except credit charges.

Ken

While becoming familiar with my DBS-22 (drill bit jig), I used both stones.  My unscientific opinion is that the Tormek is essentially designed for the original SG general purpose wheel.  I did not notice a difference between the SG and SB on a 3/8" drill bit.  Both did fine.  I might feel differently with larger bits or more of them.

Since I have both, I would use the SB stone for high speed steel drill bits, planer/ jointer blades and turning tools.  If I only had the SG, I would use it for everything and not worry about it.  While it may not be specifically designed or harder steels, it does a very adequate job. 

Ken

Jeff, I debated about going to the show in Cincinnati last October.  With my family responsibilities and being in the middle of buying a home, it seemed like a bad time for me.  Had I known you were going to be there, I would have given it much higher priority.  Oh, well....another time.

Ken

Jeff,

Would you please post your demo schedule on the forum?  I believe many of us, myself included, would enjoy meeting you and watching you put the Tormek through its paces.  It would be an enjoyable learning experience.

A lot of the shows also feature discounts.  We might even bring our wallets (and our knives with broken points!).

Thanks,

Ken

Tony, I understand your thinking about tool longevity.  (I'm 62.)

I have had a book in my library for forty years.  I bought it at the original Woodcraft Supply store in Woburn, Mass.  Woodcraft reprinted it; it was originally written by Record Tools.  Alas, Record seems to have gone the way of Marples, Porter Cable, Delta, and Stanley.  We have some very fine niche tool makers today.  What we seem to be lacking is a good market of well made quality tools designed and priced for the working craftsman.

When I was in my early twenties I purchased a set of three Stanley Bedrock planes from a retired carpenter.  He had bought then new sometime around 1910.  He used them and valued them.  They were top of the line tools for workingmen.

Ken

Good job, Mark!

Ken

Ionut also made the comment that the Tormek wheel has three gradations of coarseness:  When the wheel is dressed with the fine side of the grader; when the wheel is dressed with the coarse side of the grader; and, the most coarse, when the wheel is freshly dressed with the diamond dresser.

I haven't tried it, but, it might help shorten your marathon tomorrow.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

Ken

Tony,

I am a fan of the old Porter Cable company.  Yhey made some very solid tools and were known for having spare parts available.  However, Porter Cable has been sold several times in recent years.  Unfortunately, the new owners (Stanley) have cut back on the line.  Also, I have started to see Porter Cable tools for sale for $29.95, an unheard of price in the old days.

My advice for your PC planer, assuming you like the tool, would be to be on the lookout for spare blades.  Good job if you can sharpen your present blade, however, I would plan ahead and try to acquire a couple spare blades.

Good luck.

Ken

I agree, Elden.

I have seen a few threads go so far off topic and become so long that they became quite ineffective.  The longest thread on this forum is 130 posts.  It should have been several independent posts.  I also think some of the posts in Tormek specific questions should have been posted under hand tool woodworking.

While this has happened rarely, I see many more posts which never reach their potential value because of lack of answers.  There is a wealth of knowledge, much of it only generally related to sharpening with the Tormek, which has gone unposted.

The members of this forum seem commendably courteous.  I appreciate that.  We come from many different parts of the world, occupations, and skill backgrounds.  This makes the forum a better place, and it would be even better if people would post more. 

Yes, let's comment on the questions posted.  However, let's not hesitate to add the unique seasoning of related "off topic" experiences.

Ken

When I was a kid, I remember a billboard for a Pennsylvania Dutch restaurant that read, "Get to know what good is."

I believe these two short videos from Fine Woodworking show "what sharp is".

http://www.finewoodworking.com/item/106038/9-reasons-why-i-dont-sharpen-my-plane-blades-as-well-as-i-thought?&lookup=auto&V18=&V19=&V20=&V21=&V22=&V23=&V24=&V25=&V26=&V53=&V54=&Taun_Per_Flag=true&utm_source=email&utm_medium=eletter&utm_content=20130216-nonsense-knife&utm_campaign=fine-woodworking-eletter

Enjoy, 

Ken

Jeff,

I agree we are getting off topic.  However, we did make a good effort to answer the original post before drifting.

If the side of the wheel was supposed to be a precision grinding surface, I believe Tormek would have made much more of it in their marketing program.  I have only used the side to flatten an otherwise very nice old Buck chisel with a belly.  Others probably have more side experience than I do.

Mike, thank goodness for dolts like you!  By the way, Chris Becksvoort seems to prefer Lie-Nielsen planes.  I'm sure he could use any planes he wishes.  I have no doubt they are world class.  All they lack is a multigenerational history.

Ken