Topics

1

Knife Sharpening / stainless steel

« on: November 23, 2019, 12:56:01 pm »

I found this video about the history of stainless steel. I found it fascinating and hope you will, also.

https://youtu.be/yHlhVJP9s2k

Ken

2

Knife Sharpening / A G Russell videos

« on: November 18, 2019, 04:29:30 am »

I found an interesting video about sharpening with diamond stones versus aluminum oxide stones. As is my custom, I often watch videos using related non tormek stones and apply them to Tormek. I have watched several AG Russell videos and subscribed to his channel. His website also has good information. Here is the link:

https://youtu.be/61peii3gxM4

Enjoy.

Ken

Edit: After I posted this, I found out that this was one of nineteen short videos with AG Russell. The series is informative and not overly long. The diamond stone part has the best description of needing light pressure with diamond stones I have found to date. I believe a well rounded Tormek sharpener should be familiar with other sharpening methods. These videos are a good primer.

3

General Tormek Questions / MOVED: Why is skew chisel taking soooo long to sharpen?

« on: October 29, 2019, 02:55:52 am »

This topic has been moved to Wood Turning .

https://www.tormek.com/forum/index.php?topic=4102.0

4

Scissors Sharpening / kitchen shear testing video

« on: October 11, 2019, 10:53:07 pm »

I like the America's Home Kitchen Test videos. This one on kitchen shears seem exceptionally informative. Good knowledge for sharpeners.

https://youtu.be/duQ6Gv5C9r0

Ken

5

Wood Turning / Glenn Lucas/Tormek video

« on: October 04, 2019, 02:52:47 am »

I was looking through my youtube saved channels and found this:

https://youtu.be/6RwLLcBY6n8

I found it an interesting interview with Glenn Lucas. I was hoping for more turning technique. This is available on Glenn's DVDs. I have several of these, and recommend them highly.

Ken

6

Knife Sharpening / cutting board video

« on: September 23, 2019, 02:35:01 am »

I like the America's Test Kitchen reviews. This one has a lot of good information on cutting boards, good information for knife sharpeners. Here is a link:

https://youtu.be/kd4vNcTvWnE

Ken

7

Knife Sharpening / An alternate jig setting knife block

« on: September 19, 2019, 04:59:47 pm »

I have no criticism of Wootz´jig setting knife block. However, I wonder why it needs to be adjustable. I realize that I work differently than most of us. I have standardized my Projection at 139mm. (I have noticed that Wootz often uses 140mm in his videos. The one millimeter difference is negligable.)

With 139mm Projection, I can sharpen paring, slicing and chef´s knives, which covers my needs. I should add that the 139mm works with paring knives only if I use the SVM 00 small blade tool. This would not be necessary of the thread length on the knife jig was longer. As an expedient, I have added 125mm Projection with paring knives and just the SVM 45 jig.

I see the benefit of using the large stop block to insure the edge is parallel. For me, the setting block would be just as useful and simpler with a top block fixed (glued or screwed) at 140mm. I could handle the 125mm Projection by making the block double ended, with 125mm at the other end.

Having the block fixed eliminates the chance of error from multiple measurements. The position of the fixed block could be placed using the digital caliper, a more precise tool than the rule.

Having the Projection fixed would also eliminate the need for individual calculation of the FVB setting.

I want to be clear. I think Wootz´applet is a useful tool. I use it and recommend it. I feel it is even more useful if many of the variables can be standardized-

Ken

8

General Tormek Questions / more uses for the universal support bars

« on: September 15, 2019, 12:09:24 am »

I have found several uses for the universal support bars not directly mentioned in the handbook. My support bars are not limited to the standard issue US-105 (T7/8) or US-103(T3/4, 10mm shorter than the US-105).

Having a second support bar facing toward the leather honing wheel is well known. It is especially convenient when doing multiple tools set with the same Projection. This allows both Distances to be preset, requiring no fiddling between tools.

Before the coarse diamond wheels, it was (and still is) convenient to have a second support bar setup with the TT-50 truing tool for heavy grinding such as reshaping.

For turners, having multiple support bars allow each to be dedicated to the jig of a particular tool.

I have found it convenient to reshape Lacer grind skews doing the original reshaping to the combination straight and radius grind by using just a support bar placed very close to the grinding wheel. The coarse diamond wheels work well with this. I hold the tool to grind at a right angle (square on with no bevel). I like the paced control this gives me.

We also have several specialty support bars. Robin Bailey of the UK was an early pioneer in this with his extended support bar. This very useful accessory features both more length for long knives and more height for cleavers. Some members complained that it lacks threads for the microadjust. I never found this to be a problem. I find the microadjust only essential for use with the TT-50 truing tool. I use the standard support bar for truing.
Tormek briefly reintroduced the US-400, a longer support bar designed for the out of production longer T-4000, the predecessor of the T2. This is a useful tool, however, it has been eclipsed by the US-430, which has the same long length and threaded microadjust, but also adds 50mm of added height, making it suitable for jig sharpening of cleavers.
Also noteworthy is the FVB Front Vertical Base by Knife Grinders. This allows great accuracy when used with the Knife Grinders applet and versatility of the horizontal standards, including adding enough height for cleavers.

I have accumulated seven support bars over the years. I believe two would suffice for most Tormekers. (one standard, the second preferably the US-430 and a FVB)
I'm sure there are additional support bar uses unknown to me.

Ken

9

General Tormek Questions / US-430 Update

« on: August 31, 2019, 11:19:51 pm »

My new US-430 arrived today, shipped by air from Sweden.I really like it. The bar is 430mm long, which includes 50 mm on the side normally not included with the standard 105-US (the bend side).
The two legs extend 50mm longer than either the standard US-105 or the US-400. The extra length of the two legs makes it possible to sharpen cleavers using the standard USM-45 knife jig.

In addition to long knives and cleavers, the US-430 can serve as a very convenient second support bar. (One support bar faces toward the grinding wheel; the other faces toward the leather honing wheel.) Like the shorter support bars, the one leg has Acme threads for the microadjust.

I do not know the price at this point. When I find out, I will post it.

Ken

Oops... My original post listed the length as 1430mm instead of 430mm. I blame my keyboard. 

10

General Tormek Questions / glossary (from an earlier topic)

« on: August 03, 2019, 11:38:00 pm »

This is a continuation of brain cramp's suggested glossary topic, linked here:

https://www.tormek.com/forum/index.php?topic=4029.0

Ken

11

General Tormek Questions / a visit with the parts man

« on: July 24, 2019, 11:53:49 pm »

Forum member, Garrett McDaniel, sent me a pm requesting how to purchase parts for his knife jig. I referred him to Wolfgang Derke at Advanced Machinery, the major North American Tormek parts dealer. Although I have never met Wolfgang personally, I have been a satisfied Advanced customer for eight years.

Garrett lives close to Newark, Delaware, where Advanced is located. I suggested that he drive there in person, combining a practical errand with an enjoyable Tormek day. The attached photo is a happy souvenir of that visit. Wolfgang is on the left; Garrett is on the right.

Ken

ps A special thank you to my resident tech expert, Grepper, for helping me post the photo. Once again, Grepper has made the impossible possible.

12

Knife Sharpening / an easy alternative for odd thickness knives

« on: July 13, 2019, 10:24:50 am »

This struck me as a good backup technique to have in your pocket for knives which don't match the regular thickness of the Tormek jig.

https://youtu.be/bailuQUh2mY

Ken

13

Knife Sharpening / laser protractor

« on: July 06, 2019, 05:59:54 pm »

Where would a purchase a laser protractor in the US?
Thanks.
Ken

14

General Tormek Questions / T8 water trough

« on: June 28, 2019, 04:19:48 am »

Recently I have been using mostly my diamond wheels. There is no abrasive deposit from diamond wheels as there is from Original grinding wheels. Plus, the magnet catches the steel particles, leaving the water trough quite clean. Just a wipe with a paper towel over the magnet area and a quick rinse makes everything fine.

Tonight I used my TT-50 on a new SB-250. Truing any new Original grinding wheel is standard good grinding practice. My SB-250 needed just a bit of truing.

I then performed my standard cutting test. I place a new metal lathe tool bit in my sauare edge jig, set the bevel angle for 25° with the Anglemaster, and grind for five minutes. I stopped once to refresh the stone with the coarse side of the stone grader.

Out of time, I cleaned up my work area. I dumped the dirty water into a bucket. I started to wipe out the grinding debris with a paper towel. I was surprised by the amount of debris. In a flash of brilliance, I removed the scraper from the T8 water trough. The scraper made quick work of all the debris. Nice design touch.

I did not measure the amount of water. Even working somewhat haphazardly, my water spillage was quite minimal, perhaps two or three drops. Over the years I have had a few clumsy sessions where I had excessive spillage. (The lip of the rubber work mat caught that.) However, a few drops at most is more typical.

Ken

15

General Tormek Questions / the underappreciated Tormek Rubber Work Mat

« on: June 27, 2019, 03:58:54 am »

Most of us choose not to get past the sticker shock of the $60US price of the Tormek Rubber Work Mat. This is unfortunate and undeserved. The Rubber Work Mat is definitely not an overpriced cafeteria tray. When I first examined mine, my first impression was that it is a well designed high quality product. I recently learned that it is made for Tormek by the company which makes the tires for
Range Rover. It is a solid, heavy duty product. It is also well sized for Tormek work. Here is a link:

https://www.tormek.com/usa/en/accessories/other-accessories/rm-533-rubber-work-mat/

Looking at it objectively, it is a product which is used every time a Tormek user sharpens anything. It is actually one of the least expensive Tormek jigs or accessories. How many of us, myself included, have paid more for a jig or accessory we have never used, or use very rarely? I have seen several substitutes posted on the forum, which seem to work well. However, I would not say that they work just as well. The Rubber Work Mat does not slide. Its heavy duty side lips have contained all the water I have ever spilled, even on my clumsiest days.

My suggested homemade stand for a Tormek would have a table top sized to fit with the Rubber Work Mat. I think having a pair of same sized tables with different work heights and two Rubber Work Mats would be both quite efficient and luxurious.

The Tormek Rubber Work Mat is definitely worth a serious look.

Ken