Messages

Ton,

Thank you for the recommendation.  I added that link as I too find it to be a very useful document.

Kind regards,
Rich

I've added two new additions recently that may be of use to people :

• Knives (Kitchen, Pocket, and Woodworking)
• Twist drill bits

Special thanks to Ton Nillesen (the Dutchman) for allowing his guides to be put on the site. It is a great reference and definitely helpful to Tormek users. 

Kindly let me know if you see any errors.  Also, if you have differing opinions (I expect them for the knives part), do let me know.  I only ask that you also let me know why you feel that way.

Oh yeah, still waiting for some microscopic pictures of ground edges ...

Kind regards,
Rich

SADW,

Have you tried LinuxCNC ?

Kind regards,
Rich

Ken,

This is funny :  I have an unused Raspberry Pi 3 that I was just recently thinking of setting up in my shop.  The Raspberry Pi runs a variation of BSD Linux (called Raspbian, if I remember correctly). 

But what is equally a good solution in this realm is LinuxCNC.  This runs on really old PCs and is easier to manage & maintain.  Response times are similar from what I've experienced.  And LinuxCNC is also a variant of BSD Linux.

So the question truly is :  does the scope software run on Linux.  If so, this would be a REALLY cheap solution!

Kind regards,
Rich

Rich Colvin is compiling a sharpening handbook which will be a vsluable reference. Pairing this tablet and reference with a USB microscope would be a powerful and efficient combination.

Hey, if you get some great pictures, I will be happy to incorporate them into the online reference guide (www.SharpeningHandbook.info).

I've already gotten feedback from one person regarding the sharpening of the Termite End Grain Tool, and it has been incorporated.

That is the idea :  to capture the wisdom of those who do the work and pull it together in one place, providing it to all for free.  I am not seeking funding or advertisers; rather I am funding this myself.  That way it is simply a good reference tool.  Nothing more; nothing less.

I know there are many sages on this site, and would love to incorporate their wisdom.  If you would rather send it via eMail, a link is on the site for that purpose.

Kind regards,
Rich

I've not thought of including a microscope into my sharpening routine.  Sounds like a worthwhile idea.

Question :  what magnification should I buy ?

I work in my basement, so I have few options that don't involve more exercise than I care to do.

I use the turkey baster to get the level of the water down so that it doesn't spill when I remove the trough from the tabs holding it up at the wheel.  (I have an older T2000)

If I'm going to sharpen again soon, I'll leave the remaining stuff in the trough and let it sit.  NOTE :  the stone is NOT in the water !

It it is going to be a while, then, I have a bucket on the floor beneath the Tormek where I dump the water+.  I just let the sludge in the trough evaporate down to dust and then use a scraper to clean it out into a trash can.  As for the bucket, well if it doesn't evaporate in a few days then I haul it upstairs and dump in the flower beds.  Plants seem to love it :  they grow to darned fast now !!

Rich

A while ago, I asked about using worn T7/T8 wheels on the T4.  What I found is that the 250mm wheel is wider than the 200mm (T4) wheel.  Bummer.

[What It Is]

I am debuting a web site I've put together which I have titled "Sharpening Handbook".  Here's the link :

            SharpeningHandbook.info

What It Is :  This is designed to be a quick reference guide for sharpening.  It is not intended to tell you how to sharpen, but to give you information you can use if you already know how to sharpen, but need to sharpen a tool that you don't sharpen often or haven't sharpened recently.

Others have done a great job giving information on how to sharpen.  Among the ones I have are :

• Sharpening Made Easy: A Primer on Sharpening Knives and Other Edged Tools by Steve Bottorff (2010)
• The Complete Guide to Sharpening by Leonard Lee (1996)

So there is no need to replace what already exists.

Sometimes, the way to sharpen something is difficult to describe, but easy to show visually.  Thusly, I have borrowed visuals from the Tormek guide (BIG thank you to Tormek for letting me reference their material).  For one tool (the Sorby Spiralling & Texturing Tool), I've added a link to a YouTube video provided by the vendor which shows quite well how to sharpen it.

This Isn't Just a Tormek Marketing Tool :  I am a big fan of the Tormek and have invested loads in their jigs.  But sometimes, there isn't a Tormek way to sharpen something.  In those cases, I have outlined what I do as that works for me.  One example is the Sorby Spiralling & Texturing Tool, on which I used a diamond file (watch the video to see).

What This Won't Be :  A forum for debating one tool type vs. another (e.g., Tormek vs. Sorby's ProEdge).  The idea is to show what the angle of the tool's edge should be.  It also won't be a forum for debating things like hollow vs. flat grinding.  I intend to show only the ideas behind both as it regards the edge angles.

Why I Put This Together :  I don't have a lot of free time, and searching for information is something I don't like to do more than once.  So I began compiling this type of information together for myself.  I used Evernote, and that worked well, but I came to the realization that others might benefit from the same information.  So, I have started publishing what I gathered.

How To Use It :  It is web based with no flash nor any ads.  You can bring it up on your computer, or a tablet, and even on your smart phone (though you should use it in landscape mode on the phone).  You don't need a user ID, and I don't have the need to track who goes there and who doesn't.

What It Is Called What It Is :  Every machinist will have a copy of Machinery's Handbook.  As I have gotten into some metal work, I now have one too.  It is a similar reference book, in that it doesn't tell me how to do machining, but gives me information such as what hole size to drill for given screw threads.  Something that is very nice to have handy when needed.

My Ask of You :  Please be so kind as to check it out and tell me what you think is good, and what needs to be improved.  This will be a continual work in progress, so, if you have some good information or wisdom, kindly send it to me and I will add it to the site.  (I'll be glad to reference you as the source.)  I've denoted the eMail account to use on the web site.

Final Note :  I'm still developing this, so it's not fully fleshed out yet.  You will see some items listed that don't have information pages yet.  I will get to that as I can (or you can send me information and I'll put it there).


Thank you,
Rich

Ken,

Does the zinc wheel work on the T-2000?

Kind regards,
Rich

I'm looking to buy or make a Goniostat jig for sharpening fly cutters on the Tormek.  Looking for ideas.

Goniostat example

Fly cutter example

I just cut my solid shaft off & welded on a ½"-20 threaded rod in its place.  For the nut, I used a punch set to mark the six sides as 1 thru 6.

Some notes :

• the ½" rod is 0.010" too big in diameter.  I had to use my metal lathe to reduce the rod's diameter
• the 20 threads per inch (US National Course) is a bit more course than the Tormek rod which seems to be a fine thread
• I used two of my XB-100 Horizontal Bases to hold the threaded rod at the right position for welding.  My first attempt using a wooden block wasn't successful.

Overall, it is still better than the smooth rod, & only cost me about $8.

I do the same as Ken ... but I do it so I can wipe down the machine inside and out.

Rich

And, if you add in the US-105 universal support with micro adjust, that's another $48.

$184 - SG-250
    66 - EZlock shaft
    89 - TT-50
    48 - US-105
-------
$387

I use an angle grinder on my mower & edger blades.  Works well & is fast.