- Welcome to Tormek Community Forum.
News:
Welcome to the Tormek Community. If you previously registered for the discussion board but had not made any posts, your membership may have been purged. Secure your membership in this community by joining in the conversations.
www.tormek.com
Recent posts
#31
Tormek T4 and T4 Bushcraft / "Including, but not limited to...
Last post by Ken S - March 06, 2026, 12:07:20 PMThe phrase, "including, but not limited to" is a legal phrase which can also apply to the Tormek machines. Tormek marketed the smaller, 200mm diameter wheel machines as being for hobbiests. With no disrespects intended toward hobbiests, I believe the improvements introduced with the T4 go well beyond the hobbiest realm. In fact, the machined zinc top designed to limit the heat of the T4 later became the primary difference between the T7 and the T8. The old "thirty minute duty cycle" is a leftover from the certification test for older models with all plastic housings which retained the motor heat. The machined zinc top of the T4 (and T2) acts like a radiator and disperses the heat. It also provides a three bundred percent precision improvement in the alignment of the main shaft and support sleeves.
The standard size of dry grinders in 200mm wheel diameter or "eight inch" in the US. Many old timers like me are still using fifty year old smaller six inch grinders. While the reigning champ is still the 250mm grinding wheel, the T4 "hobby" wheels are the same diameter professional eight inch dry wheels, and the Tormek wheels are thicker.
The Tormek 200mm universe is still evolving. A major step forward was the introduction of diamond wheels. These were first introduced as the DWF-200 and DWC-200 for the T2. Within a half hour of the arrival of my T2 and DWC, I discovered the DWC was also a perfect fit for the T4 and greatly increased its "horsepower". The switch from the DWS wheels to the DW series made flat grinding using the side of the wheel possible and added the extra fine wheel to the lineup. (The slanted composite honing wheel of the T2 also fits the T4.) In my opinion, the T4 wheel evolution is still not completed. I hope Tormek will eventually introduce a SB-200 blackstone.
Still underdeveloped markets for Tormek are older users and users with smaller workshop space. A T8 is a lot to carry for us senior citizens. A T4, especially with its grinding wheel removed, is pleasant to carry and requires less shop space. In a larger shop with a permanent space, this is not a problem. For a senior or an apartment dweller, this could be the deciding factor between a Tormek and going back to bench stones.
I am not advocating the T4 regular or Bushcraft for everyone. There are certainly situations where the T8 is the logical choice. High volume professional sharpening or situations like regularly sharpening larger drill bits certainly favor the T8 size machines. All of the jigs work with the T4, although some heavier applications favor the T8.
When the T4 was first introduced in 2014, I remember posts suggesting the T4 as a "starting" Tormek, with intentions of eventually "upgrading" to a T7. I don't recall many posts from users who eventually made that switch. Some, no doubt, coveted the "big engine V8"; however, I suspect most realized that the T4 was quite capable of handling their needs.
Incidentally, except for the color and marketing, the regular and Bushcraft models are identical. Neither is limited to hobby use.
Ken
The standard size of dry grinders in 200mm wheel diameter or "eight inch" in the US. Many old timers like me are still using fifty year old smaller six inch grinders. While the reigning champ is still the 250mm grinding wheel, the T4 "hobby" wheels are the same diameter professional eight inch dry wheels, and the Tormek wheels are thicker.
The Tormek 200mm universe is still evolving. A major step forward was the introduction of diamond wheels. These were first introduced as the DWF-200 and DWC-200 for the T2. Within a half hour of the arrival of my T2 and DWC, I discovered the DWC was also a perfect fit for the T4 and greatly increased its "horsepower". The switch from the DWS wheels to the DW series made flat grinding using the side of the wheel possible and added the extra fine wheel to the lineup. (The slanted composite honing wheel of the T2 also fits the T4.) In my opinion, the T4 wheel evolution is still not completed. I hope Tormek will eventually introduce a SB-200 blackstone.
Still underdeveloped markets for Tormek are older users and users with smaller workshop space. A T8 is a lot to carry for us senior citizens. A T4, especially with its grinding wheel removed, is pleasant to carry and requires less shop space. In a larger shop with a permanent space, this is not a problem. For a senior or an apartment dweller, this could be the deciding factor between a Tormek and going back to bench stones.
I am not advocating the T4 regular or Bushcraft for everyone. There are certainly situations where the T8 is the logical choice. High volume professional sharpening or situations like regularly sharpening larger drill bits certainly favor the T8 size machines. All of the jigs work with the T4, although some heavier applications favor the T8.
When the T4 was first introduced in 2014, I remember posts suggesting the T4 as a "starting" Tormek, with intentions of eventually "upgrading" to a T7. I don't recall many posts from users who eventually made that switch. Some, no doubt, coveted the "big engine V8"; however, I suspect most realized that the T4 was quite capable of handling their needs.
Incidentally, except for the color and marketing, the regular and Bushcraft models are identical. Neither is limited to hobby use.
Ken
#32
General Tormek Questions / Re: test
Last post by John Hancock Sr - March 04, 2026, 01:02:54 AMQuote from: Ken S on March 03, 2026, 08:25:43 PMTormek IT replied that according to our hosting service, we had an attack by a botnet.My money weas on a DDOS (distributed denial of service) attack. All too common these days. Insecure smart devices making it easier.
#33
General Tormek Questions / Re: test
Last post by Ken S - March 03, 2026, 08:25:43 PMTormek IT replied that according to our hosting service, we had an attack by a botnet. That is way above my paygrade, however, we are hopefully done with it.
Thanks for being alert, guys.
Ken
Thanks for being alert, guys.
Ken
#34
General Tormek Questions / Re: test
Last post by John_B - March 03, 2026, 07:08:53 PMGlad you are on it Ken
#35
General Tormek Questions / Re: test
Last post by Ken S - March 03, 2026, 05:54:01 PMMike,
I have experienced the same failure rate today. I sent a status update request to Tormek IT. I will post any updates.
Ken
I have experienced the same failure rate today. I sent a status update request to Tormek IT. I will post any updates.
Ken
#36
General Tormek Questions / Re: test
Last post by MikeK - March 03, 2026, 03:15:15 PM...for now. It's been a roller coaster ride of up and down the past few days.
Update: I've tried accessing this site at least a dozen times today and managed to get through only twice.
Update: I've tried accessing this site at least a dozen times today and managed to get through only twice.
#38
General Tormek Questions / test
Last post by Ken S - March 02, 2026, 01:06:35 PMtest
the forum appears to be working again!
Ken
the forum appears to be working again!
Ken
#39
Gardening Tools / Re: Approach to sharpening law...
Last post by tgbto - February 27, 2026, 08:37:06 AMA few strokes on a belt sander do wonders for a lawnmower blade, in less time than is necessary to setup the Tormek. And the Tormek will remove metal much slower than the belt sander, especially on a thick blade.
#40
Knife Sharpening / Re: Update: Noobie Advice Abo...
Last post by Sir Amwell - February 26, 2026, 12:51:39 AMI run a knife sharpening business that started out just like yours is now.
I still sharpen family and good friends knives for free.
Normal friends get 'mates rates'.
Everyone else gets charged at a reasonable rate to commensurate me for my time.
It's a side hustle that is now rewarding for all the time and expense I've put in.
If I could take a leap it would become THE hustle and not a side one.
However,my focus has always been quality over quantity and my customers are passionate about their knives and don't argue prices or ever complain.
So I would need to put in some promo work and widen my radius to make it a full time business. Every time you sharpen for family and friends you are gaining invaluable experience/practice and knowledge so it's an investment as well as being a joy to do.
(I still love sharpening despite many hundreds of knives).
On a practical level, from what you've described, I would suggest paying more attention to your honing technique/protocols to achieve silent buttery smooth slicing of paper.
It's easy to chop down a tree when you know how. Another matter to properly clear up afterwards.
Same with knife sharpening. It's relatively easy to grind an edge and raise a burr. A different matter to hone and completely remove the burr to get it to its true potential.
Keep going, enjoy, and good luck on your journey.
I still sharpen family and good friends knives for free.
Normal friends get 'mates rates'.
Everyone else gets charged at a reasonable rate to commensurate me for my time.
It's a side hustle that is now rewarding for all the time and expense I've put in.
If I could take a leap it would become THE hustle and not a side one.
However,my focus has always been quality over quantity and my customers are passionate about their knives and don't argue prices or ever complain.
So I would need to put in some promo work and widen my radius to make it a full time business. Every time you sharpen for family and friends you are gaining invaluable experience/practice and knowledge so it's an investment as well as being a joy to do.
(I still love sharpening despite many hundreds of knives).
On a practical level, from what you've described, I would suggest paying more attention to your honing technique/protocols to achieve silent buttery smooth slicing of paper.
It's easy to chop down a tree when you know how. Another matter to properly clear up afterwards.
Same with knife sharpening. It's relatively easy to grind an edge and raise a burr. A different matter to hone and completely remove the burr to get it to its true potential.
Keep going, enjoy, and good luck on your journey.