Tormek grinding kit?

[gasmansteve]

Hi Folks
Very impressed with the Tormek instruction dvd supplied with this months WT. Not sure about the different kits though?. I gather they do 200mm and 250mm versions but is that the only difference other than the different jigs supplied?. They seem to vary from £189 (for the basic 200mm machine?) to £359+. Seems a wee bit expensive for what is just a chisel grinding set up but they seem to be the dogs wotsits and maybe worth the outlay?. Anyone have either size versions and are they worth it please?
Cheers
Steve

 

[Smudger]

I've got the smaller version, and I find it extremely useful, easy to set up and use, gives me a decently sharp cutter or chisel with relatively little effort. There's a review on this site, by Charley, who gave it 5 out of 5.

Review here

 

[Grinding One]

I have one with all of the attachments,its a great tool,I bought it at the trade show so I got the discount.Works fast and doesn`t heat up the blades so you do not change the temper of tools,no dust and they give you a magnet to put into the water tray so the grindings stay there not on the stone.Easy clean up too,unhook the tray ,pull the magnate and dump the water.Your done.
I give it 10 stars

 

[gasmansteve]

Ok i`m sold on it I`ll have one :lol: . Just have to work out how to sneak it past Mrs Gasman without hearing "More woodturning stuff ??" :?

Thanks
Steve

 

[Smudger]

Tell her that you'll sharpen other people's chisels for cash.

If the mini-enterprise doesn't work out, that's not your fault...

(Mind you, I got a phone call from No1 son yesterday - "can you sharpen my chisels for me, please?".

Yes, that's the son who took the pee mercilessly when I bought mine!

 

[cornucopia]

I've got the 10" wheel model, i bought mine 5/6 years ago and have just had to replace the stone, i only use mine for fingernail turning gouges and the odd hand plane blade for my dad.
The edge acheivable is superb makes an edge sharpened from a normal grinder seem blunt,.
another advantage of the tormek system is no sparks, which is good in a tiny workshop like mine.
to resharpen my main turning gouge takes less than a minute and the edge seems to last longer than a dry grinder edge too.

I belive that the new tormek machines have a stone that is guranted.

 

[greggy]

I've got the 10" wheel model, i bought mine 5/6 years ago and have just had to replace the stone, i only use mine for fingernail turning gouges and the odd hand plane blade for my dad.
The edge acheivable is superb makes an edge sharpened from a normal grinder seem blunt,.
another advantage of the tormek system is no sparks, which is good in a tiny workshop like mine.
to resharpen my main turning gouge takes less than a minute and the edge seems to last longer than a dry grinder edge too.

I belive that the new tormek machines have a stone that is guranted.

i too have the 12 inch model, its the best money i spent on tools, i would give it 10/10 i told the missus i would be able to sharpen her scissors and knives. i use all the jigs apart from the planer blade jig, i also sharpen other peoples tools to £2.00 a chisel :lol: and now it owes me nowt. the stone is still a tad over 9 inches and 3 yrs old.

 

[NeilO]

Steve, as far as I am aware not counting the T7 ( new model) the 1206 200mm model is rated 30/60 minutes use and the 2006 250mm is rated continuous use, as far as the jigs go they fit all the models.

I personally own the 2006 model, and a few :lol: jigs, and can say that is overpriced for what it is, but saying that wouldnt be without it now I have it...
see Charleys review on site, for a better in depth story..

Edit : a little overpriced for what it is, is a little unfair..true it is just a wet grinder, but with the jigs you can just about grind an edge on anytihing you can think of, so my previous comment was maybe harsh, but I also said now I have it, I wouldnt want to be without it... :lol:

 

[Argee]

I've had the larger (green) model for some while now. I started using it to sharpen both flat stock and gouges, but although it does both extremely well, I found that the gouges inevitably wore grooves and lands into the wheel, which needed re-dressing before using again for flat stock.

I overcame this by retro-fitting a diamond wheel which I now use exclusively for gouges. The original wheel is always ready for flat stock (the diamond wheel is steel, so cannot be used for side-face flattening).

Ray.

 

[davegw]

I've had the larger (green) model for some while now. I started using it to sharpen both flat stock and gouges, but although it does both extremely well, I found that the gouges inevitably wore grooves and lands into the wheel, which needed re-dressing before using again for flat stock.

I overcame this by retro-fitting a diamond wheel which I now use exclusively for gouges. The original wheel is always ready for flat stock (the diamond wheel is steel, so cannot be used for side-face flattening).

Ray.

Ray,

I have the same problems. Excuse my ignorance but what is a diamond wheel? and where do you get one from?

Thanks

Dave

 

[Argee]

... what is a diamond wheel? and where do you get one from?

It's a section of cold-rolled steel tube with a welded plate hub which is then coated with industrial diamonds. It's 8" diameter and 2" wide so that it fits both Tormek models. Made by a small (one-man-band) concern for a niche market, I guess, but it really works well. No connection with the manufacturer. Here's the link.

Ray.

 

[Smudger]

For £160 it would need to work well!

Is it really worth the extra outlay?

 

[Argee]

Is it really worth the extra outlay?

It's claimed to outlast the standard wheel by a factor of 6. Even if that's half true (although I've no reason to suspect that it isn't accurate as stated), 3 genuine replacement wheels far exceed the outlay.

That aside, it's much easier and quicker to use because of the total lack of truing required. Mine's set up close to the lathe and I can "tickle" an edge and be back turning again in a couple of minutes. For me, that's worth the cost and I think that I'll be able to pass it on for many years' use after I've had to give up turning - but not for a while yet, I hope!

You may not think it's worth it, but I'd like to see it offered by Tormek as an alternative initial wheel for turners.

Ray.

 

[gidon]

Ray how fast is it compared to the standard wheel for flat bench tools?

May be of interest - in the states at least - Tormek are releasing (or maybe have - dunno') - two additional stones. One which is harder and coarser than the std Tormek wheel and one which is finer. Would be nice if / when they'd be available here (Martin?)

Steve - I wrote up my experiences with the new T7 here.

Cheers

Gidon

 

[Smudger]

Is it really worth the extra outlay?

It's claimed to outlast the standard wheel by a factor of 6. Even if that's half true (although I've no reason to suspect that it isn't accurate as stated), 3 genuine replacement wheels far exceed the outlay.

That aside, it's much easier and quicker to use because of the total lack of truing required. Mine's set up close to the lathe and I can "tickle" an edge and be back turning again in a couple of minutes. For me, that's worth the cost and I think that I'll be able to pass it on for many years' use after I've had to give up turning - but not for a while yet, I hope!

You may not think it's worth it, but I'd like to see it offered by Tormek as an alternative initial wheel for turners.

Ray.

I hadn't realized the durability (though it's obvious now you point it out). I can see it makes sense in your circumstances, but for non-turners it might not.

 

[Argee]

Ray how fast is it compared to the standard wheel for flat bench tools?

As I said above: The original wheel is always ready for flat stock (the diamond wheel is steel, so cannot be used for side-face flattening).

If I've got any flat stock to sharpen, I whizz the original wheel back on. The only exception to this is my 1¼" flat section skew chisel.

Ray.

 

[cornucopia]

i've recently replaced my wheel, i looked at the diamond wheel but choose one of these instead, i havent had it long enough to comment on its longevity but it puts a superb edge on just as quickly as the original wheel.

 

[ivan]

The main grumble about this style of wet wheel grinder comes from the mess they make when grinding blades wider than the wheel (no problem for wood turners). Otherwise, brilliant! I have a Scheppach 10" as it was only £165, well made but jigs not as good as Tormek. However the better made Tormek jigs fit so I have bought these. They also fit the Jet which is handy as the Sheppach has gone up in price recently, whilst Ax have the Jet reduced.

 

[gasmansteve]

I notice the Scheppach Tiger 200 is for sale at Screwfix for £110. How does this compare with the Tormek please and are the jigs similar?.
Thanks again
Steve

 

[gidon]

Ray how fast is it compared to the standard wheel for flat bench tools?

As I said above: The original wheel is always ready for flat stock (the diamond wheel is steel, so cannot be used for side-face flattening).

If I've got any flat stock to sharpen, I whizz the original wheel back on. The only exception to this is my 1¼" flat section skew chisel.

Ray.

Ray you misunderstood me - how long does it take to grind a bevel on the diamond wheel compared to the Tormek one? I don't use the side of the wheel for anything but the scruffiest DIY chisel.

Cheers

Gidon