Recent posts

#1

General Tormek Questions / Re: Grit confusion

Last post by John Hancock Sr - Today at 04:13:29 AM

I think you are waaaay overthinking this. Having said that the SF and SG graded are purportedly about the same and probably give a similar finish more or less. One of the differences would be in (MOHS) hardness and the sharpness retention of the grit. over time, within the sharpening session, (depending on the steel) the SG would be less grabby whereas the diamond would stay the same.

#2

General Tormek Questions / Grit confusion

Last post by nissnn - Yesterday at 11:16:07 PM

Hello everyone,

I have been looking into the grits of the Tormek diamond wheels and am left with some questions.

What I know is that the grit values given on the product pages are FEPA values, but I could not find clear information on whether they are given as FEPA P or FEPA F values.

However, some information can be found on particle size, both directly from Tormek and from third‑party sources. For example, 600 grit diamond wheels have a particle size of around 25 µm.
FEPA P600 corresponds to a median particle size of 24.8 ± 1 µm, while FEPA F600 corresponds to a median particle size of 9.3 ± 1 µm. Therefore, in this case the grit value given by Tormek must be a FEPA P value.

This makes sense, because FEPA P values describe coated abrasives, while FEPA F values describe bonded abrasives, and the diamond wheels are of course diamond‑coated steel. However this can be somewhat confusing, because FEPA P is commonly described as "for sandpaper" while FEPA F is described as "for sharpening stones", but I guess traditionally stones are usually bonded abrasives and sandpaper is a typical coated abrasive.

So I assume that Tormek diamond wheels all use FEPA P values for their grit values, but I am not sure about the SG wheel. A finely graded SG wheel is supposed to have a 1000 grit, but I am not sure how I should compare this value to the diamond wheels. On one hand, it would make sense for Tormek to use comparable grit ratings for their wheels. On the other hand, the SG wheel is definitely not a coated abrasive.

So if the SG wheel grit description were based on FEPA P values, it would be somewhat rougher than the extra fine diamond wheel. If it were based on FEPA F values, it would be around halfway between the extra fine diamond wheel and the Japanese waterstone (JIS 4000 ≅ FEPA F1200 ≅ FEPA P5000).

I guess my question can be boiled down to:
How does a finely graded SG wheel compare to the extra fine diamond wheel, both in surface finish and in material removal rate? Is it a bit rougher, or is it significantly smoother?

If anyone can share their experience on this, I would be very grateful! Also, if anyone has some theoretical knowledge and/or corrections to my assumptions, please share them as well!



Additionally, for future reference, but not directly relevant to my main question:
Both FEPA P and FEPA F are not supposed to be used for diamond abrasives. For superabrasives:

The grit designation is prefixed with a "D" to denote diamond and a "B" to denote cBN.

- from https://fepa-abrasives.org/abrasives/standards/

According to this standard, the actual FEPA grit size of the 600 grit diamond wheel would be FEPA D20 (particles between 15 and 25 µm). This seems to be confirmed by Tormek here. But it of course makes sense to use a more familiar grit rating for customers, it would just be helpful to actually know which one is being used.

Best regards,
nissnn

#3

General Tormek Questions / Re: Tormek T-8 switch does not...

Last post by Ken S - Yesterday at 01:39:52 PM

Welcome to the forum, Kenji.

My best guess is that Franz has correctly diagnosed your problem. I suggest that you email Tormek support. (support@tormek.se)

Ken

#4

General Tormek Questions / Re: Tormek T-8 switch does not...

Last post by losdottos - Yesterday at 01:07:24 PM

Sorry to ask, but do you have a 110V or a 230V machine? I found the following answer, which describes your problem, in faq.tormek.com.
Hi Franz.

If you have a 230V machine you cannot use it on 110V power. Both the motor and main switch are voltage specific for 230V or 115V. The coil inside the 230V main switch will not draw on 110V. It needs at least 180-190 Volt to stay on.

regards
Mats

#5

General Tormek Questions / Tormek T-8 switch does not sta...

Last post by HOSHIKEN - Yesterday at 12:44:59 PM

Hello everyone,

I live in Japan and I purchased a Tormek T-8 from Axminster Tools (UK) two months ago.
However, I am having a serious problem with the switch.

When I press the switch, the machine runs, but the switch does not stay in the ON position.
As soon as I release the button, it returns to OFF.

I thought this was a faulty switch, so Axminster sent me two replacement switches.
But both replacement switches show exactly the same behavior – they do not lock in the ON position.

So far:

Original switch: Machine rotates, but switch does not stay ON

2nd switch: Does not stay ON

3rd switch: Also does not stay ON (even before connecting to the machine)

It seems very unlikely that all three switches are defective, so I believe there may be another cause.

My question is:

Is the Tormek T-8 switch designed so that it only locks in the ON position when it is fully installed in the machine and connected to the motor circuit?
Or could something else cause the switch to fail to stay in the ON position?

I have been stuck for two months and cannot use the machine at all.
Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much.

Kenji (Japan)

#6

General Tormek Questions / Skip ACC with the Diamond?

Last post by Swemek - Yesterday at 10:26:06 AM

Maybe a stupid question, but has anyone tried using diamond wheels without the agent and after each sharpening session make sure to dry the wheels with a hairdryer and towel?

#7

Knife Sharpening / Re: Chinese AUS10 and VG10 kni...

Last post by Dan - November 19, 2025, 11:46:42 PM

More junk from China.

Have you actually seen or tried using or sharpening these knives?
Danny

#8

Knife Sharpening / Re: Chinese AUS10 and VG10 kni...

Last post by GeoBoy - November 19, 2025, 02:54:50 PM

More junk from China.

#9

Knife Sharpening / Re: Chinese AUS10 and VG10 kni...

Last post by Dan - November 19, 2025, 02:45:46 PM

...If it appears too good to be true then it usually is. If you do find a trusted brand then good but otherwise caveat emptor....

I know, I know    I thought it was worth asking if anyone had used or worked on them.
Danny

#10

General Tormek Questions / Re: Warning about a sharpening...

Last post by tgbto - November 19, 2025, 11:22:17 AM

Did you actually receive your order ?