Recent posts

#1

General Tormek Questions / Re: Removing the Grinding Whee...

Last post by Ken S - Today at 08:03:02 PM

Good question, Dan. I will share the only correct reason I use. It is based on a test group of one, me. I have to move my Tormek around quite often. As a senior citizen, I am not as strong as in younger days. Although it makes an extra trip, removing the grinding wheel reduces the weight by half.

I believe the original Tormek design philosophy was to just leave the grinding wheel in place. However, even in the earlier pre EZYlock days, Jeff Farris, who demonstrated the Tormek throughout the US, always removed his grinding wheels before traveling town to town.

In truth, I don't know that it much matters much as long as the wheel and machine are stored clean and dry.

Ken

#2

General Tormek Questions / Removing the Grinding Wheel be...

Last post by Dan - Today at 12:40:11 PM

Hello all,
Just a little question.
I have seen this point being made quite a few times in various threads and I am  wondering what exactly is the reasoning behind this.

Personally, I never remove the grinding wheel. I hone knives on a separate machine equipped with a Tormek USB so I can get a precise angle. Much easier with larger knives this way.
I hone chisels and plane blades on the honing wheel of the Tormek as there is no problem with the gringing wheel getting in the way.

I also prefer to leave the wheel on as then it is always in the same trued position.

I know a lot of you use various wheels but I only use the SG-250.

Is there something I am missing?
Are there any negative consequences to leaving the wheel on on the T8 that I have not thought about?

I haven't had any problem in about 4 years since I have had the machine and I use it two or three times a month for all our knives and more occasionally to sharpen my woodworking tools.

Any thoughts?

Danny

#3

General Tormek Questions / Re: Tormek Sharpening Music Pl...

Last post by Ken S - Today at 05:47:35 AM

Interesting idea. Hügo.The two Eastman Kodak scientists who invented Kodachrome had to work in complete darkness. They were both orchestra players who used memorized classical music passages to time different parts of the process.

When I worked long sessions in my home photo darkroom, I used to enjoy listening to National Public Radio (US), especially the Prairie Home Companion.

Ken 

#4

General Tormek Questions / Re: Tormek Sharpening Music Pl...

Last post by kwakster - Yesterday at 10:12:11 PM

Strange but true; i sometimes used Mozart's Elvira Madigan for timing my passes when freehanding on Tormek or Paper Wheels.
Not on an audio system but in my head.
I still think it improved both my sense of timing as well as the symmetry of my edges.

#5

General Tormek Questions / Re: grinding wheel spindle

Last post by RichColvin - Yesterday at 08:03:58 PM

Steven,

Herman is exactly right.

By the way, I've catalogued the recommended upgrades to the SuperGrind 2000, including what I've upgraded on my own machine at:  https://sharpeninghandbook.info/PurchasedAnOldTormek.html

Kind regards,
Rich

#6

General Tormek Questions / Re: grinding wheel spindle

Last post by Herman Trivilino - Yesterday at 03:58:26 PM

You really need to take care because you have the original steel main shaft. I would take both the grindstone and the honing wheel off, pull out the main shaft. Clean and lightly lubricate both the shaft and the bearings.

Don't leave water in the tray between sharpening sessions as it will wick up and rust that main shaft. The MSK-250 upgrade mentioned previously is a great upgrade because it's a stainless steel main shaft. Plus it has the EzyLock which allows you to remove the grindstone without any tools. Removing the grindstone between sharpening sessions, as has already mentioned, is a good idea, too.

You mentioned the play in the main shaft. New nylon bearings are inexpensive and easy to replace.

By the way, did you get a stone grader with the machine? It's a must-have.

#7

Wood Turning / Re: Negative rake scrapper pro...

Last post by RichColvin - September 18, 2026, 05:10:02 AM

Dedicate an SVD-110 for Scrapers
https://sharpeninghandbook.info/TimeSavingTipsForTheTormek.html#DedicatedScrapers

#8

Wood Turning / Re: Negative rake scrapper pro...

Last post by AKMike - September 18, 2026, 02:06:16 AM

I use one of these on the Tormek, and it works great for repeatability. I think that you might find something similar at other websites.


https://www.glennlucaswoodturning.com/product/moby-jig/

You might want to get his turning tools sharpening video, as well, he has lots of useful tips for the Tormek. In fact it would probably be better to download and watch the video before ordering any jigs.


https://www.glennlucaswoodturning.com/product/mastering-woodturning-series-no-3-sharpening-techniques-dvd-or-download/

Mike

#9

Wood Turning / Negative rake scrapper problem

Last post by Kim - September 17, 2026, 03:28:41 AM

I have been using the SVD-110 platform to sharpen my negative rack scrapper made by D-Way Tools (see https://cdn10.bigcommerce.com/s-pa1dw/products/136/images/561/CurvedNRS.75_S__95OPT600__87496.1686765450.1280.1280.jpg?c=2)

Since the SVD-110 has no positive stops, I am finding it very difficult to have an exactly consistently angle every time I sharpen.  As a result, the bevel is slightly inconsistent. The D-Way Tools are extremely hard steel. Since I end up grinding a slightly different angle, the process is extremely slow. Does anyone have suggestion on using a different platform with positive stops with the Tormek. For example, Kodiak makes a platform with positive stops, but I don't know if it compatible with the Tormek machine.

#10

General Tormek Questions / Re: grinding wheel spindle

Last post by Steven Krouse - September 16, 2026, 08:19:56 PM

Thanks for the tip.
SK