In the Shop > General Tormek Questions

New user from Nevada...

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W3DRM:
Just thought I would check-in as a new user. Have just ordered a new T-7 Ultimate package from Sharp Tools USA and hope to receive it in a week or so.

I have struggled for years trying to keep my turning tools and my wife's kitchen knives sharp via a dry grinder and a few stones without much success. Finally decided to pony up the bucks for a new Tormek T-7 in hopes that it will solve most, if not all, of my sharpening tasks. My biggest issue has always been getting a consistent edge on my tools. It's always been a hit or miss situation (mostly a miss for me :-[).

Am also wondering if there are any other Shopsmith users on this forum? Would like to know if there are any special hints or tips to sharpening the Shopsmith HSS turning tools.

Ken S:
Welcome, W3.

I think you have purchased your Tormek the smart way.  Since you already have the turning tools, and a need to sharpen kitchen knives, why not get the kit and save some money?

I was no so smart; I went the piecemeal approach.

There is a learning curve with the Tormek.  If you read some of the postings on this forum, you will know that grinding squarely is often a problem at first.  Go slow; check your work, and use a sharpie.

I had problems using the angle gage.  Then, one day, I set up my Tormek on sawhorses outside in very good light.  No more angle gage problem.

Jeff's turning tools DVD is very well done and informative.  Study it, and the short videos on the sharptools website.  Start with your simplist tool, become proficient at sharpening it, and gradually move on.  You will be up and running very shortly.

Keep us posted on your progress and good luck.

Ken

ps. Use the fine stone setting with a light touch on your kitchen knives.  The coarse stone setting is fine for converting your chef's knives into paring knives.

W3DRM:

--- Quote from: Ken S on April 17, 2012, 01:50:35 am ---Welcome, W3.

I think you have purchased your Tormek the smart way.  Since you already have the turning tools, and a need to sharpen kitchen knives, why not get the kit and save some money?

I was no so smart; I went the piecemeal approach.

There is a learning curve with the Tormek.  If you read some of the postings on this forum, you will know that grinding squarely is often a problem at first.  Go slow; check your work, and use a sharpie.

I had problems using the angle gage.  Then, one day, I set up my Tormek on sawhorses outside in very good light.  No more angle gage problem.

Jeff's turning tools DVD is very well done and informative.  Study it, and the short videos on the sharptools website.  Start with your simplist tool, become proficient at sharpening it, and gradually move on.  You will be up and running very shortly.

Keep us posted on your progress and good luck.

Ken

ps. Use the fine stone setting with a light touch on your kitchen knives.  The coarse stone setting is fine for converting your chef's knives into paring knives.
--- End quote ---

Ken,

Thanks for the reply and suggestions. I've been saving for the T-7 and accesories for quite a while now and have watched all of the videos I can find on it. Also went through a lot of digging for information and have been really surprised to find very little "negative" talk about any of the Tormek units or accessories. Expensive, yes BUT, I've spent my fair share of bucks on all kinds of sharpening stones, grinders, etc and while they do a decent job, it's the lack my being able to produce a consistently good edge that has pushed me to make the change. It's probably just my own method of doing things that has caused me problems, so I can't really blame anyone else. Only time will tell if i can master this new tool. I can only hope that I will someday be half as proficient as Jeff and many others seem to be.

I am currently going through the forum posts (starting with the earliest and working my way to the latest). I'm finding lots of great information and do notice that lots of folks have had problems with keeping their tools square. Hopefully, I'll be able to learn from the issues other folks have had.

I hope to be able to contribute to this forum as I learn the ins and outs of the Tormek systems. I'm in no hurry as I am retired and have plenty of time to read and watch videos as well as practice usign the various attachments.

Ken S:
Don,

I'm sure you will do well.  Like you, I'm retired.  What convinced me to get the Tormek was preparing some chisels for a dovetail class.  My hands became quite sore.   In hindsight, part of the problem was me.  I needed to start with a more coarse stone than the 1000 grit waterstone.  However, the Tormek does the hard work now and my hands appreciate that.

I believe practice time spent with a regular chisel of about 3/4" width is well spent.  It will give you a good feel of how your Tormek works and the cutting action of the stone.  Be sure to use the stone grader.   IN my humble opinion, it makes a very good foundation block for building your skill.

I hope you will participate in the forum.

Ken

W3DRM:
Ken,

Thanks for the confidence! I do have a couple old chisels with chips and nicks in them. I'll use them as a starting basis for learning the Tormek. I am most interested in getting my lathe gouges and skews sharpened but am certainly willing to take the time to get the basics down first. Of course, my wife has other plans... I have to get her kitchen knives sharp first. Guess that will be my first job. Will practice first with some old paring and butcher knives that have been around for many years. I also have an old hatchet that I'm not sure which is sharper the hammer side or the blade side. That one should be a good challenge too.

BTW, just got word this morning that my T-7 has shipped and is supposed to arrive next Monday. This is making me feel like a little kid waiting for my first bicycle to arrive after ordering it from the Sears Roebuck catalog!

One last thing - was the tormek site down for a while today? I was unable to get in to either tormek.com or this forum for quite a few hours earlier today. i could get to my other sites okay, just the Tormek site seemed unresponsive.

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