T4 problem - different edge angles on both sides of the blade

[ixvor]

Hi there,

for two years now I have a T4.
Since the beginning I have the problem that it's not possible to get the same edge angle on both sides of the blade of a knife.
On the one side the edge of the blade is higher, on the other side it's lower.
Please have a look at the attached pictures.
When I set the angle - it fits on the one side, but when I turn the knife - it doesn't on the other side.
And that's the reason why the edge is higher on one side.

This happens with the holder for short knives as well as with the holder for long knives.

What can I do? I don't think this is normal?

Thank you very much!

[Josu V]

Welcome to the forum.

This is a problem of the jig. Is not a T4 problem.
Tormek jigs for knives are not auto centered jigs.

If you make a searc about this in the forum, you can find a long discussions about this.

Regards

[ixvor]

Oh that's sad to hear, thank you very much for your quick answer Josu.

Best regards

[micha]

Hi Alexander,
and welcome to the forum!

Hmm. Admittedly the jigs are not self centering, but such differences should not happen with every knife.
Thicker blades are of course more prone to it.
There are some threads around here dealing with it.
It may have well to do with one's own technique. You can still grind uneven bevels with a well-centered blade.
The often-heard recommendation "create a burr, then get rid of it" sometimes makes people grind the first side more than the other.

But that also means it's possible to correct those problems within reasonable limits.

To cut it short: It shouldn't happen to each and every knife you're grinding. Please provide a little more information about the knives in question.

Mike

[RickKrung]

This is a well known issue with Tormek jigs.  Do a search on "asymmetry" and to some background reading. 

May not be the first mention of it on the forum, but an early one:
https://forum.tormek.com/index.php?topic=540

A good discussion about it:
https://forum.tormek.com/index.php?topic=2577

And a very positive solution for modifying the jigs and using shims for centering.  I have gone this route and find it to be an excellent solution.
https://forum.tormek.com/index.php?topic=2962

Rick

[Ken S]

ixvor,

I emailed Tormek about your question. They requested that you contact them.
(support@tormek.se)
or, in the US, (info@tormek.com)

I have always found help from Tormek support to be first rate.

Ken

EDITED TO CORRECT INCORRECT EMAIL ADDRESS

[Hannsi1957]

you can buy several jigs and au8s each 0.5 mm from the fixed part of the clamp out, or you can as Rick makes it different (mostly for valves) underlay plates, in any case you will get so circa a good result. is a bit fiddly but practice makes perfect. or you can make it easy for yourself and get a jig that closes on both sides and reliably tension your knife always in the middle.
cheers Hanns

https://schleifjunkies.de/en/produkt/on-both-sides-closing-clamp-centered-clamping-of-the-knife/

[ixvor]

Thanks to all for this flood of answers and fixing-possibilities! 

I ordered some shims and I think I will also order this self-centering jig, looks good :-)


Best regards

Alexander

[jvh]

Hello,

I use this procedure for the edge centering: https://forum.tormek.com/index.php?topic=3249.msg19115#msg19115
together with eccentric bushing: https://forum.tormek.com/index.php?topic=3918.msg26612#msg26612

jvh