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#11

General Tormek Questions / Re: Is there a way to prevent ...

Last post by Herman Trivilino - September 20, 2026, 11:45:44 PM

I have been closely following this forum since 2009. This posting is the first I have noticed on this issue in that time.

I've been using my Tormek since 2002 and have never experienced this problem.

Anyone who has experienced a frozen EXYlock (which includes me) would consider a sliding spacer as a minor nuisance. Noticing occasional frozen EZYlock posts over the years, I sent an email to support requesting advice. Support really went the extra mile. They ran tests and discovered that they could get the EZYlock to fail, IF there was no grease on the face of the spacer facing away from the grinding wheel. Putting a thin coating of grease on this face eliminated the failure. Problem solved.

Grease on the side of the spacer facing away from the grindstone would seem to help make the spacer stick to the machine instead of the grindstone, solving also that problem. I have never intentionally greased mine, but it seems it gets greasy from the grease intentionally placed on the main shaft. I will keep mine intentionally greased from now on because I also have experienced a frozen EzyLock a couple of times.

By the way, how did you free it? I used channel locks.

Oh, and by the way, even though the SG is the only grindstone I ever use, I remove it after every session. Those of us who do this are also susceptible to this issue with the spacer coming off.

#12

General Tormek Questions / Re: Is there a way to prevent ...

Last post by flyvert - September 20, 2026, 11:17:53 PM

Thanks for all the great work done here!

Tonight I inaugurated the new axe jig, and just as I was swapping out the DF wheel for the DC to work a bit faster... the washer fell onto the workshop floor.

I hope we'll see an improved washer design at some point in the future!

Thumbs up to the local store I visited two weeks ago. It was really nice to see the museum and spend a few minutes with the very helpful staff. The "Sharpen Up" T-shirt really hit the spot!

#13

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

Last post by Ken S - September 20, 2026, 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

#14

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

Last post by Dan - September 20, 2026, 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

#15

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

Last post by Ken S - September 20, 2026, 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 

#16

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

Last post by kwakster - September 19, 2026, 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.

#17

General Tormek Questions / Re: grinding wheel spindle

Last post by RichColvin - September 19, 2026, 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

#18

General Tormek Questions / Re: grinding wheel spindle

Last post by Herman Trivilino - September 19, 2026, 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.

#19

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

#20

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