Removing the Grinding Wheel between Sharpening Sessions

[Dan]

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

[Ken S]

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

[John_B]

I think there are two different scenarios. As Ken mentioned moving your machine or transporting it in a vehicle and stationary use.

The weight on the shaft from the stone will over time damage the bearing surface albeit slowly as the vehicle hits bumps. It would be interesting to critically examine the bearings of a Tormek that is used in a mobile sharpening setup with the wheel never removed. I too tend to remove the wheel and install the spacer if I need to move it any distance. My bench has wheels so this does not come up too often.

After each use I don't think it is necessary to remove the wheel. It is important not to leave it sit in the water. I think many of us that use multiple wheels may take the last used wheel off when done. When I do this I often leave the SG-250 off until the next session. With old machines the shaft also tended to rust over time making it a good practice to remove the wheel and dry the shaft.

[John Hancock Sr]

Two reasons.

The material used in the SG wheel is extremely porous and retains moisture for a long time after use. This moisture can cause the shaft to corrode. Note that stainless steel does not mean corrosion free. If subject to long periods of moisture then it can corrode as I can certainly attest. In addition if you are sharpening carbon steel these particles can collect on the shaft under the wheel and these will accelerate the corrosion process. Removing the wheel will prevent the shaft from corroding under the wheel.

As you grind some small grit particles can get trapped inside the nut and washer. If the wheel dries out, this can lock the nut and make it difficult to remove.

[Dan]

thanks for all your replies.

Food for thought...
Danny

[Dan]

Hello all,
A little update on this subject...
After some of your comments, I was a little worried that my choice of leaving the wheel on all the time wasn't maybe so wise.
So, I just removed the wheel, in case of any problems and all is fine.
No rust or any sign of rusty bits.
I did use some thickish lithium grease the last time and it seems to have protected everything OK.
The wheel and the ezylock came off easily.
I just regreased the shaft and put it all back on.

Until next time....
Danny

[John Hancock Sr]

So, I just removed the wheel, in case of any problems and all is fine

It will take a while to show. Also greasing will help.  I bought a second hand T8 that was about 15 years old. The SG wheel was rusted solid to the shaft. I suspect that it had never been removed.  I think if you remove it regularly you may be fine. I will continue to remove mine after every session thought

[Drilon]

The Tormek T8 had been introduced 10 years ago in 2016.

[Herman Trivilino]

Yes, time has a tendency of passing quickly. It's quite easy for me to walk away from a sharpening session and leave the machine unattended for weeks or even months. I've learned my lesson. Remove the water trough, empty and thoroughly rinse, and remove the grindstone immediately after every session.

[Dan]

The Tormek T8 had been introduced 10 years ago in 2016.

Yes, I also thoought the T8 was not yet available 15 years ago. Perhaps it wasn't as old as John thought

[RichColvin]

Yes, time has a tendency of passing quickly. It's quite easy for me to walk away from a sharpening session and leave the machine unattended for weeks or even months. I've learned my lesson. Remove the water trough, empty and thoroughly rinse, and remove the grindstone immediately after every session.

I do the same as Heman.