Tormek.

[Bodrighy]

After pfafing about for 2 years trying to sort out my sharpening I finally got shown by one of the pros at the club. Set the jig at 45 degrees for all gouges. Make a 2" block to measure the distance the gouge is stuck into the jig and bob'rs your uncle. Scrapers and skews just set the table for 45 degrees. Works for me.

Pete

 

[Jenx]

You hit the nail right on the head there Chas .... by saying 'marketed as the be-all and end all' ....

As a novice, I tried to research things as much as I could before actually putting gouge to timber ... and the 'marketing', such as it is .. does a very good job of 'convincing' (sometimes to the point of scaring ) someone starting out into believing they need certain acoutriments, and will not be able to make any headway without them.

I fell into exactly this kind of trap believing i HAD to have a wide wheeled 8" grinder, and anything less would mean I would have all kinds of difficulties and be doomed to falling short of where I could expect to be, without one.
This, I think, is perhaps most prevalent with regards to sharpening, more than any other aspect of the craft.

My experiences of this week, have been a vaulable lesson, and one which I will try and remember to apply the same logic to, when assessing what may on first looking, appear to be a 'must have essential'.

We live and learn, I guess ! 8)

 

[CHJ]

....But i do want to use the Tormek as it should be used,by measuring the distance using the jig,

I presume you are referring to this setting jig Paul.

As you can see it only caters for one distance from stone and gives just two recommended angle profiles and these may differ slightly with your smaller stone.

You can get the distance of the support bar from the stone by printing this out and drawing a circle to match your stone to align with the buttons.

 

[Paul.J]

Morning all
I have put the Sorby jig along side your piccy Chas,and it isn't that far out with the holder,the piccy is slightly oversize.So i will have another look at it as it is,but just need to take up the loose fitting on the support bar,somehow :?

 

[TEP]

....But i do want to use the Tormek as it should be used,by measuring the distance using the jig,

I presume you are referring to this setting jig Paul.

As you can see it only caters for one distance from stone and gives just two recommended angle profiles and these may differ slightly with your smaller stone.

You can get the distance of the support bar from the stone by printing this out and drawing a circle to match your stone to align with the buttons.

Jeez! Chas, that thing looks frightening. Imagine meeting that for the first time. :lol: :lol:

 

[Paul.J]

Here is the kit for turners.Might be worth getting

 

[Bodrighy]

I must admit I keep thinking of the turners of old and the incredible work that they were able to produce with just a few tools and a pole lathe (some still do) and thinking that maybe, for me at leasts, learning to use the basic tools well is more important. Having all the fancy tools, accessories and jigs is all well and good but at the end of the day my own skill level is what will produce good work.

Pete

 

[CHJ]

I must admit I keep thinking of the turners of old and the incredible work that they were able to produce with just a few tools and a pole lathe (some still do) and thinking that maybe, for me at leasts, learning to use the basic tools well is more important. Having all the fancy tools, accessories and jigs is all well and good but at the end of the day my own skill level is what will produce good work.

Pete

Precisely put Pete, all the fancy jigs and lathes in the world won't turn out squat if the operator does not develope turning skills.

Developing an ability to know what is required to grind the tool profile correctly and if necessary making yourself a couple of simple jigs to make that easier is a good step in this endeavor.

Money spent on a turning course or visiting-watching other skilled turners is better spent than on fancy Jigs IMO.

 

[TEP]

YES! Two honest to goodness converts. Right guy's let's start working on the others now. Viva la revolution! :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Paul.J]

So theres no chance of converting you lot than to a Tormek i take it :shock: :lol:

 

[TEP]

No doubt you've heard of the proverbial snowball Paul. :twisted: :wink:

 

[Steve Jones]

Hi Paul,

I'm a tormek man and you wont convert me back

Regards

Steve

 

[CHJ]

So theres no chance of converting you lot than to a Tormek i take it :shock: :lol:

You know my feelings about the Tormek in relation to turning tools Paul, I was fortunate enough to be able to spend some time comparing the attributes of the latest Touch & Turn system against my basic DIY sharpening methods and could not find any advantage worth the £500+ it would have cost me to acquire all the bits to speed up what I already do. The only thing that using the system convinced me to do was hone the flutes of my gouges and use a diamond card to touch up the cutting edges as I work, processes which I can carry out much quicker using my DIY setup.

If I was into flat work then I would certainly consider a Tormek type system, the brief cleanup of my plane blades and chisels etc. achieved a bevel standard and finish I have struggled years to match and for most of my standard of work would probably not required any further embellishment.

I am not averse to spending good money on equipment that will make a difference or benefit me, (E.G. my latest mask purchase) but some things I'm afraid don't compute on my 'essential' wants list.

 

[Paul.J]

TEP wrote

No doubt you've heard of the proverbial snowball Paul.

Indeed i have Tam.Seems to be turning into an avalanche :shock:

My first grinder when i started turning was an home made take on the Tormek,which most of you have seen.
I did like using it but the stone on it,which was a Wickes wet stone,was too soft on it and was forever truing it up.So i tried the dry stone system with the Sorby jig and Perform grinder which was good but i wasn't all that pleased with the results as i was getting a better sharper edge on the home made Tormek.
So when the search was on for another grinder this one came at the right price with the diamond honing jig so with the results i have had with just a quick go on the rough grade stone i am pleased so will be sticking with this system from now on.
I have more control on the tool i feel with the slower speed,which is another benefit for me.

 

[TEP]

Hi Paul.

No doubt you've heard of the proverbial snowball Paul. :twisted: :wink:

I was thinking more of the snowballs chance in hell, of you converting me to a Tormek. :twisted: :twisted: :lol: :lol: