Messages

1

General Tormek Questions / Re: a peg for Tormek, finally

« on: Today at 03:33:34 am »

photos:







Finally photos. The first photo shows the 3” by 1/4” x20 hex bolt with just enough of the hex head points ground off for the bolt to slide through the 12 mm bore of the Tormek grinding wheels. The 1/4” bolt provides a good step (the hex head) to help secure the grinding wheel.

First three fender washers are fed onto the bolt. Then a hex nut and two more fender washers. The bolt is fed through the hole in the metal shelf upright. Two more fender washers are added and a final hex nut holds the hook to the shelf.

The second photo shows the hook holding an SG-250.

The parts are inexpensive in regular steel. I suggest making up one in regular steel to see if you like it. You can add more later.

Ken

2

General Tormek Questions / Re: parts

« on: Yesterday at 11:42:32 pm »

Fernando,

We have two traditions with innovations: One group freely shares ideas, although "free" may include payment from a magazine. The other group prefers to think of ideas as potential business opportunities. I respect both.

I can understand why Tormek limits its inventory of accessories. They are a business, with business obligations. Tormek has been scammed by clonners making copy cat machines. I also understand why Tormek hesitates to share information.

I like the idea of freely sharing information. I have seen on the forum that ideas grow with adding more minds. I realize have the luxury of not being a professional sharpener relying on my sharpening income.

What concerns me more than whether information is free or comes with a charge is the quality of the information. When we watch Jeff Farris' videos, we are watching a man with extensive practical Tormek practice. So many of the available videos, including the one recently mentioned show not only a lack of good information; they have misleading information.

We try to provide an alternative with the forum, however, it is hard for text to compete with youtube today.

Ken

3

Knife Sharpening / Re: hunting knife videos

« on: Yesterday at 07:39:31 pm »

Lo siento mucho, Fernando. I did not realize there were international restrictions.

Ken

4

Knife Sharpening / Re: hunting knife videos

« on: Yesterday at 01:33:46 pm »

Cheer up; all is not lost.

We do have access to an excellent video. This is a PBS (Public Broadcasting System, the public television in the US) Nova series program, "Secrets of the Viking Sword”. Here is a link to it which should work anywhere:

https://www.pbs.org/video/nova-secrets-viking-sword/

It is a fascinating story. As Australian Crocodile Dundee might say, "That's a knife!"

Enjoy.

Ken

5

Knife Sharpening / Re: hunting knife videos

« on: Yesterday at 05:25:15 am »

I agree. Except for my pocket knives, the only knives I have sharpened are my kitchen knives. I would like to learn more about outdoor knives and sharpening them.

Ken

6

Knife Sharpening / hunting knife videos

« on: June 21, 2018, 11:03:16 pm »

I just received some information from Tormek Marketing. Apparently, we have misunderstood the purpose of the hunting knife videos. They are targeted for hunters in Sweden who may not have heard about the Tormek. The series will be monthly, beginning in July, and will be in Swedish. Tormek does not own the youtube channel.

The series was also filmed in English. Tormek may show these at some later date on its own channel.

While the youtubes may hold some general interest for us, we are not the target market. I plan to watch the English version, as my knife knowledge is almost exclusively related to kitchen knives.

Ken

7

General Tormek Questions / Re: parts

« on: June 21, 2018, 10:41:52 pm »

Grizz,

You found the you tube I referenced. My problem is not so much with that guy. I am sure he means well; he just knows very little about the Tormek. The youtube is full of misinformation, which, unfortunately, could mislead prospective buyers or new users.

My problem is that the people who really are Tormek experts and should be making the videos have chosen to keep the videos that they are doing hidden from everyone except registered owners. This effectively keeps out anyone who is seriously looking to purchase a Tormek. The reluctant experts are Tormek themselves.

I have found three notable exceptions to this wall of silence:

Jeff Farris did several very good videos many years ago when he worked for Tormek. All of the veteran forum members have studied them. They provide a good introduction. Jeff sold Tormeks. His videos do not discuss problem situations, however, they are a very good start.

Steve Bottorff, as he was retiring from years of teaching sharpening, had a videographer make an excellent, extensive video, "Sharpening School". This is essential training for anyone considering starting a sharpening business. Steve's technique includes the Tormek, as well as several other sharpening machines.

Wootz has done some fine youtubes. Again, like Steve's, they feature the Tormek, but not exclusively.

Beyond these, the only other options seem to be contacting Tormek support or posting on this forum.

To see a good example of what Tormek could offer for good instruction videos, look at the DBS-22 drill bit jig on the website and watch the video done for Tormek by Alan Holtham. (no need to log on to watch this one) I consider it Tormek's best current video. It shows what Tormek could do with video instruction.

There is too much bad information about the Tormek spread by people who think they know and too little good information from those who really do know.

Ken

8

General Tormek Questions / Re: Must have inexpensive accessory for the new diamond wheels

« on: June 21, 2018, 05:00:50 am »

Grizz,

You think bigger than I do! Larger quantities probably make sense, especially if you are using the larger pre T8 water trough and/ir the side grit.

For larger quantities, the dosage cup of liquid cold medicine is often graduates in 15 and 30ml quantities. I keep several of them, too. For the minimal investment involved, I would have both sizes on hand.

A gallon container can be clumsy to pour from. I would at least add a middle step of a smaller graduate of plastic jar with graduation marks.

Ken

9

General Tormek Questions / Must have inexpensive accessory for the new diamond wheels

« on: June 21, 2018, 02:55:52 am »

Using the new Anti Corrosion Compound (ACC) requires measuring small amounts of ACC. My suggestion is to use an inexpensive combination graduate and spoon for children's medicine. They have a capacity of 10 milliliters and are graduares in easy to read units of 1 milliliter. (also 1/4 teaspoons). It does the job well at very little cost. It should be readily at any pharmacy or the baby department of  a grocery store.

Ken

10

General Tormek Questions / Re: parts

« on: June 20, 2018, 07:01:51 pm »

Yes, I have. I use you tube often. and have found numerous useful sites. Unfortunately, I have also found many sites with incorrect information. (One recent T4 long term review mentioned the larger Tormeks using 250 or 300mm grinding wheels. I wonder if Sweden knows this?) I happened to watch that site right after watching (twice) Wootz' Tormek sharpening you tube. I was underwhelmed.

" Caveat watcher."

Ken

11

General Tormek Questions / Re: parts

« on: June 20, 2018, 09:04:01 am »

Yes, there is more to this 3D printing than I had realized. The problem is worsened by a general lack of good instructions.

I am certainly not someone who believes that everything should be in English. However, I find the trend of using diagrams instead of printed or spoken words often frustrating. In an effort to simplify things by eliminating language, I think we make things more difficult in all languages.

I do believe that as I learn more about 3D printing, I will find it increasingly useful.

Ken

12

General Tormek Questions / Re: parts

« on: June 20, 2018, 02:49:07 am »

CB,

The printer is a PowerSpec by Wanhao Duplicator 13 Plus. Although I have no background to commently, it seems like a good printer to me. I am still in the learning curve. When the operator gets things right, I am pleased  with it. The manual talks about a Cura program. Cura, or something similar, is now on my too long list of new skills to learn.

A self centering knife jig?  Yes! Great idea, long overdue. It will require more skill than I have (at least, at present).

Ken

13

General Tormek Questions / parts

« on: June 20, 2018, 12:04:47 am »

As a Tormek tinker, I have purchased parts for projects from many sources over the years. Sometimes the projects proved successful; often they were not successful. My first parts came from Jeff Farris at Sharptoolsusa. I stayed with this same source when it became part of Advanced Machinery. Almost all of my Tormek jigs and accessories were purchased from my local Tormek dealer, Hartville Hardware, generally during show days when they were 20% off. I have purchased several spare jigs for projects from ebay. I have bought odd parts at several local hardware stores. Rick and Rich have machined some nice parts for me.

I have recently discovered a new source for parts. I purchased a 3D printer for my grandson. Those of us who think the Tormek has a learning curve have never assembled or used a 3D printer! Some parts are good candidates for 3D printing; some are not. Parts like the steel EZYlock and quick connect I purchased for my T4 are best purchased through a Tormek dealer like Advanced Machinery. Things like the locking screws with different handle shapes (good for older hands) are logical hardware store candidates. A good machinist is a most valuable person to know.

I am still a beginner with 3D printing, however, I can see several uses for it with Tormek parts. Working with both Tormek sizes, the T4/2 (200mm) and the T7/8 (250mm), I have frequent use for spacer washers of several thicknesses. I believe one simple drawing of a ring could serve as a basis for all the spacers I would need. I think all I would need to do is change the outer diameter and thickness dimensions. The inner diameter, a slip fit for the 12 mm shaft, would remain constant.

When I adapted the Norton 3X 46 and 80 grit wheels for the Tormek, I needed to make my own 5/8” to 12mm reducing bushing. I reamed out a 31/64” drill hole slightly. It worked, however, I would not want to use it as part of a journeyman test. Instead of four stacking bushings, One could make a 3D print of a one piece reducing from a snug one inch to a 12mm slip fit and build in the spacer. The part would be easy to design and make. It would also be waterproof.

As with all things Tormek, I appreciate having options.

Ken

14

General Tormek Questions / Re: Truing Tool Diamond Cutting Tip

« on: June 19, 2018, 07:42:18 pm »

My wheel dressing tool from my dry grinding days was a single diamond. It worked well. If your diamond tip no longer trues your wheel, contact support. Depending on its age, you may be entitled to a replacement tip.

Ken

15

Knife Sharpening / Re: iOS Option for Calculating USB Height

« on: June 19, 2018, 04:05:31 am »

Play nice, children.