Messages

1

Hand Tool Woodworking / Re: chisel backs

« on: May 05, 2013, 08:46:42 pm »

Agreed Ken, where chisels (and plane irons too) are concerned, the back is just as important as the bevel.  And that one-time back flattening is a real pain on a lot of them.  I've found that for me, the easiest way to get there is with 3M Gold Stickit rolls on a granite plate, grits 80 thru 220.  I personally am not a fan of flattening chisel backs on the side of the Tormek wheel.

2

General Tormek Questions / Re: New t-7 will not run continuously

« on: May 04, 2013, 08:35:44 pm »

That must be a very recent change.  My machine isn't very old and still has the rocker.

3

General Tormek Questions / Re: New t-7 will not run continuously

« on: May 04, 2013, 08:09:52 am »

Note that it's a rocker switch, not a push on/push off.  If you're pushing in the middle, you might be rocking it to momentary contact.

4

Wood Carving / Re: Annual maintenance

« on: April 24, 2013, 09:05:45 pm »

The bearings normally discussed here are the nylon ones between the main shaft and the frame.  If your motor is squealing all by itself, that would be a reason for concern I would think.

5

General Tormek Questions / Re: Curved blade gardening secateurs

« on: April 19, 2013, 05:20:12 pm »

Those look very similar to my Corona bypass pruners.  For those, blades are replaceable (not "disposable," but you don't have to throw the whole thing away when the time eventually comes that the blade is beyond repair).  If the same is true for yours, the cost of that might need to be weighed against the cost of the scissors jig (at least in the short term).

http://www.coronatools.com/item/bp-3180?referer=pruners
http://www.coronatools.com/item/3180-1?referer=itemparts%3ffor%3dbp-3180

They also make a carbide sharpener, which might be a good thing to go with your pruner for between-sharpening touch-ups:
http://www.coronatools.com/item/ac-8300?referer=accessories

6

General Tormek Questions / Re: Sharpening angles for miscellaneous tools

« on: April 18, 2013, 03:23:35 am »

Really a great resource!  I would, however, include a disclaimer that certain newer steel alloys may perform better at different angles in some applications (e.g., A2 should be at 30* in most applications, etc.).

7

General Tormek Questions / Re: Hock Marking Knives

« on: April 16, 2013, 08:35:50 pm »

As much as it may not be politically correct to say it, there are just some things that will be easier, faster, better, or all 3, by sharpening them by means other than a machine.  Not many, but a few.  A spear point marking knife would be one of them IMO.  Touch up the back and the bevels on a fine stone and move on with work.

8

General Tormek Questions / Re: cost effectiveness

« on: April 16, 2013, 08:31:53 pm »

I agree Ken.

9

General Tormek Questions / Re: need a new Tormek or another one, see below $525 delivered to lower 48

« on: April 16, 2013, 06:06:25 pm »

Wow.  Beware the $60 shipping though.

10

General Tormek Questions / Re: Problem with grindstone..

« on: April 14, 2013, 10:24:20 pm »

Just another +1 for Lee Valley.  I do business with a few companies that have unheard-of customer service, but Lee Valley tops them all in that department.

11

Hand Tool Woodworking / Re: Spokeshave Challenge

« on: April 12, 2013, 11:01:10 pm »

That's a good point about traveling beyond the edge of the wheel.  I've learned that one of the subtle necessities with the Tormek is to keep the pressure over the wheel.  In other words, it's OK if the blade goes off the edge of the wheel (even when grinding into the edge), but your fingers must stay over the wheel at all times.

12

General Tormek Questions / Re: How to claim the free Knife

« on: April 10, 2013, 05:05:53 pm »

Contact whoever you bought your machine from - maybe they can help.  It's been my experience that it can take a few days for Tormek to reply to e-mails.

13

Hand Tool Woodworking / Re: Spokeshave Challenge

« on: April 08, 2013, 05:16:11 pm »

Any chance the small knife jig would work?  What angle is the blade sharpened to?

If you're getting it truly sharp on water stones, I have a feeling it isn't going to get better on the Tormek but I could certainly be wrong.

14

Hand Tool Woodworking / Re: Spokeshave Challenge

« on: April 07, 2013, 09:47:51 pm »

I'm not a shave expert at all, but I would think using a curved-sole shave on flat wood would be very difficult to avoid chatter.  Does a curved-sole shave assume that you've already formed the rough curve?

15

Hand Tool Woodworking / Re: single or double bevel for small knife blades?

« on: April 02, 2013, 09:44:44 pm »

http://www.candlepowerforums.com

Oh no, another torch-a-holic. 

For a general purpose knife, I would think the results of a single bevel would range from "no different" to "I hate this" depending on how the knife is used and in what materials.  For thru-cuts, it may make the knife wander.