Messages

I had same problem. It was not the honing wheel.  It was the drive wheel. I contacted support. Received new drive wheel in a few days.  Problem solved.

See my note about the same thing as you.

https://forum.tormek.com/index.php?topic=4558.0

John

I want to mention two great experiences I have had with this Tormek community we are part of.

1- First one is with Tormek themselves.  I bought my T-8 about a year ago and have been happily sharpening since then.  Recently I obtained a CW-220 composite wheel to replace my leather stropping wheel and experiment.

After installing the CW I noticed wobble bad enough that it made the knife rock back and forth while I was trying to evenly strop with it. I reinstalled the leather wheel and it had the same wobble that I never noticed before. Having never used another T-8 I did not know what was normal. The leather was soft enough to make the wobble insignificant.  I was a naïve user. I traced the wobble to the drive wheel (the CW rests against it).

I sent a short video to Tormek customer service showing the issue and my measurement process. Within 24 hours I had their email answer agreeing the drive wheel was defective. They contacted Tormek USA and within a few days I had a new drive wheel at my door.  Problem SOLVED!!.

Outstanding customer service was this.  Assuming we are all human and manufacturing errors happen, it is how the follow-up is handled that shows Tormek's true desire to remain a first rate company.  Guess who will praise Tormek every time opportunity that presents itself?

2- The second rave goes to Woots aka: Knife Grinders. I contacted him ready to purchase some accessories for my T-8. After a description of what I wanted to accomplish he steered me away from that big purchase and suggested more self-education and a better way to proceed with my present Tormek equipment. Instead of the easy path of making a sale for a tidy sum, he made sure I was on the correct path for my stated goals.  This man has earned my respect and any business I can send his way.  And I will still make a wiser purchase as a more educated sharpener.

Two praise worthy events from the Tormek community. Awesome group!!

John

[About me:]

I need to reduce my time on each knife.  I am slow. I want to see if I can make some money sharpening knives eventually.

About me:
I am still at the stage in my sharpening skills that I do it for free to get practice. I have sharpened about 75 knives already. I have watched many videos on YouTube.

The task:
I fly and tow at my glider club. Last weekend I brought my equipment to a club fly day. I invited any member to bring knives and I would sharpen them for free.  I sharpened about 20 kitchen knives that day.  No serrated knives, just plain knives. A few pocket knives too.

My equipment:
A Tormek T8 with stock wheels
Four SVM-45 jigs
One large knife jig
Front vertical base
Software to set angles.
Half speed 1x30 belt sander and belts of most every grit.

I own but did not bring:
Buffer motor with a set of paper wheels
Tormek T4 with stock wheels

My concern:
It took a long time to grind the abused knives. I need to get my time per knife to 1 to 2 minutes per knife.

My Technique:
I set the grind and strop to the same 20dps.  I batched the knives on my five jigs at the same length (139mm).  It still took me a few enjoyable hours while flying activities commenced.

All 20 knives were very good edge when finished. Some of these knives were in horrible condition when received. One owner said the knives she brought had not been sharpened in 20 years. I really had to take away allot of metal to get a consistent edge. No broken knives were brought to me.

Other notes:
I do know that the stone can be made to three roughness ratings.
Right after flattening
Using both sides of the stone grader. 

Questions:
Can I speed up sharpening with what equipment I have?
Add a T8 custom?
Go with different wheels?
Add a second wheel my present T8?
Use the other non-Tormek machines I own?

I am open to your suggestions.

John

BeSharp,  Thank you for the thoughts. 

I wonder why shipping costs has skyrocketed? Can't be fuel prices.  I have to assume opportunistic price gouging.  Freight Boats and planes cost the same to sail and fly.

John

I have acquired a SG200 wheel. I am no longer in need if a wheel for my T4.

Thank you,
John

Ken, CB, and Mike,

I read the entire link about their o-ring issue.  Interesting reading.  Thank you for the information. Looks like i'll write Tormek about the o-ring. Also i'll pick a few 9mmx2.5 spares. i will refrain from lubricating them.  I believe silicone grease would be the lube i would use if i was to grease them because silicone does not attack rubber.

You folks are generous with your information. Thanks.

John

Ken,

I see due to my poor choice of words it could be assumed I was faulting the Kenjig.  I was not. The kenjig is perfect.  My problem is I was trying to unscrew the adjuster too far while I just happened to be trying for 139 mm distance. I guess because Kenjig is my favorite method of quickly setting length and always using it, in my mind they are intertwined.

Apologies to the Kenjig and its reputation.

John

Hello,

The o-ring in my svm-45 disintegrated.  It seems a standard o-ring. Can anyone tell me the specs so I may obtain one? I am sure I ran the adjustment to one or the other end trying to match the length to my Kenjig. That may have stressed the o-ring.

Also should I use some silicone lube on the other jig o-rings to stop the same from happening on my others?

Thank you in advance.   John

Rich,

I think we live close to each other.  Do you only sharpen woodworking tools? I am learning knife sharpening.  My latest quest is to learn serrated knives.  If you have tons of experience how might I arrange a lesson from you?

John

Bump.  I'm still looking for a tired SG250 if anyone is willing to sell.

John

I am looking for a stone to replace my badly chipped SG200. Mine cannot be saved.  Contact me off list and we can work something out.  I'm im Ohio.

OK, now I am diving into the deeper end of the pool.  I just ordered a FVB for my T8.

Brilliant.  Thank you.

John

You had better believe if I find another deal on any model Tormek I will outdraw all of you knifeslingers in a wallet fight. I do regularly see older models priced for display rather than a sale. By that I mean after the recommended upgrades to those older models it would be cheaper to pay full retail and get a new T8. Actually if this becomes a profitable adventure I will get one or two more T8s to up production. But I first need to become accurate, speedy later.

I have now exhausted the supply of dull knives from my home and immediate neighbors. Guess I have to look farther afield. Thinking of letting coworkers know I will sharpen their knives for free (for the time being).

I like how wet sharpening is a dust free process.

I am trying to emulate Knife Grinders' techniques but have a distance to go.

I have made two KENJIGs. One at 15 degrees and one at 20 degrees.  Those alone have improved efficiency. Ken, they are brilliantly simple tools. Also using the on-line calculator for situations when the KENJIG doesn't fit.

Accurate stropping is a problem with the knife holder's knob hitting the USB when placed in the front mounting holes. I remove the stone and have to freehand strop. Am I missing something?

John S

Jan, Ken, Rich, Rick, CB,

Thank you.  Wow, a wealth of knowledge and opinions.  I think I will save the T4 for some kind of final finishing for some future date when I see the need to speed up my production output.  I will continue to practice on the T8 with what I have. I recently bought a larger caliper tool and have downloaded an angle calculator that should satisfy me for a while.  Truth be told I am a tool whore so acquiring tools is a natural occurrence for me. I will be on the prowl for more Tormeks at a great price.

I have also bought a 1x30 variable speed belt sander and a bunch of belts so let's see where these adventures take me.

Now if someone has a worn out SG-250 stone that I can use on my T4, contact me and let's see if we can work something out.

Best, John