Topics

1

Wood Turning / Nick Agar you tubes

« on: Yesterday at 12:01:36 pm »

Nick Agar has recently done a series of eight you tubes on sharpening turning tools. I have found them to have solid technique, good organization, and be "right sized" (long enough to contain plenty of information without being overly long). I have long considered the woodturning DVD which Jeff Farris made for Tormek essential training for Tormek turners. Most Tormek related videos I watch only once. Those which I consider Top Shelf, I like to watch multiple times to absorb the subtle points. I consider these you tubes by Nick Agar Top Shelf.
They are part of the Tormek Sharpening Solutions you tube channel. Here is a link:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGpQjduHna4CJJXg2kiw62y-eRf5WTnyg

Ken

2

Hand Tool Woodworking / micro bevels

« on: June 19, 2020, 02:33:39 pm »

For many years I followed the standard practice of adding a micro bevel during initial sharpening of my bench chisels. The concept was logical; creating a micro bevel means only having to sharpen a small fraction of the bevel during subsequent sharpening, a definite labor saver when using oil or water stones.

When I purchased my Tormek in 2009, I switched to the recommended Tormek practice of sharpening the entire bevel with no micro or secondary bevel. I still do this. In the back of my mind, I thought I might add a micro bevel if I ever sharpened chisels for other people who might have to resharpen with bench stones. I now think that if someone prefers to resharpen (without having a Tormek), the first resharpening can serve as adding the initial micro bevel. I would discuss this beforehand with the customer.

What about the "two step" approach of having an initial bevel with a secondary bevel ground to the desired bevel angle? For my own chisels, I would use my Tormek to create my desired single bevel. The Tormek does the heavy lifting. I would discuss this beforehand if I was sharpening for another woodworker.

Thoughts?

Ken

3

Tormek T-2 / Tormek online T2 class

« on: June 17, 2020, 01:10:14 pm »

Yesterday (June 16, 2020) I watched Tormek's live online class on the T2. Tormek wisely includes these online classes on their you tube channel. This is the sixth class in Tormek's new series. Each class lasts around forty five minutes, enough time to go well beyond a marketing sound bite and offer some in depth information for both beginners and experienced sharpeners. In my opinion, each class benefits from previous classes. I give the T2 class the highest marks to date.

I was pleased that the T2 received a separate class. Although the T2 is similar to the T8 and almost identical to the T4, the design purpose and technique are different. The T2 was specifically designed for inexperienced sharpeners in the restaurant trade to quickly and easily maintain sharp knives. The T4 and T8 are designed as general purpose sharpeners. Each design purpose can be both a blessing and a curse. In depth training, like these video classes, increases the blessing and minimizes the curse.

I was impressed that the class included both a solid introduction to the basic use of the T2 and some more sophisticated techniques. Some of these, like sharpening cleavers, food processor blades, and mandoline blades, probably evolved from customer feedback. This fits my long held belief that the Tormek is both simple enough to handle its basic functions and versatile enough not to be limited to them.

I have owned a T2 since it was first introduced. In truth, I have generally put it on the back burner, preferring to use the T8 or T4. After studying the online video class, I see a lot more potential for my T2. If I can find the space, I may even end up keeping my T2 in the kitchen as my "go to" for quick touch up sharpening.

Ken

4

Tormek T-2 / Welcome to the T2 Forum

« on: June 17, 2020, 11:23:25 am »

The Tormek T2 is the ideal tool for restaurant personnel to efficiently maintain sharp knives and other edged tools. Use this forum to share your insights and questions.

5

General Tormek Questions / interesting new video from sharpeningsupplies

« on: June 15, 2020, 10:25:16 am »

Several short, factual videos.

https://youtu.be/wBhQ-A9w4tY

Ken

6

Knife Sharpening / Tormek T2 online class

« on: June 12, 2020, 04:42:43 pm »

Tormek will be presenting a live online class June 16 at 9:30am Eastern Time (US) covering the T2.

Ken

7

General Tormek Questions / early Tormek information

« on: May 30, 2020, 10:30:29 pm »

I have several editions of the handbook. I find the development of the Tormek fascinating. My earliest edition (yellow cover) seems to be from around the late 1990s. According to my copy of edition 8, my much used copy which came with my T7, my yellow cover edition predates edition 4.

My yellow cover edition includes the Super Grind 2000 and the Super Grind 1500. The 2000 came with the man made wheel we now call the SG-250. The 1500 came with the natural stone mined from Gotland Island off the coast of Sweden. These were the original grinding wheels used with the early Tormeks.In their unaltered state, the man made stones are faster cutting than the natural stones. The stone grader made the man made stones finer grit, like the natural stones.

The housings were all square, with only one pair of vertical sleeves The Super Grind 2000 and 1500 both featured the new "quick release" plastic locknut for the leather honing wheel. This made it convenient to switch to the EA-240 aluminum oxide impregnated deburring wheel.

In general, I believe the use of jigs has advanced the Tormek. However, in this era which predated many of the jigs, skillful use of the universal support bar often saved the day. I think these skills are still useful for situations which don't work well in the jigs. The SVD-110 platform was not yet in the production line up.

I was hoping to get even earlier information from Tormek. Apparently Tormek no longer has early information. I think that is unfortunate. If anyone has any earlier information, either in print or digital, and is willing to post or share it, please let me know.

Ken

8

Knife Sharpening / Why 139mm?

« on: May 18, 2020, 06:38:06 pm »

Some of you may be curious about the choice of 139mm Projection with the knife jig. (140mm is typical for Wootz. I attribute the 1 mm difference as being caused by being from different hemispheres.     )

On a serious note, there is a logical reason. When I was developing the kenjig, I wanted to find one Projection which would work with all of my kitchen knives. I measured my chef's knife and slicer in the SVM-45 with both minimum and maximum projection. With both of these types of knives, there was a common range of a few millimeters. 139mm fell in the middle of this common range.

So, the 139mm (or 140mm) is determined by the length and screw thread length of the SVM-45.

The only knives which don't fit the 139mm direct projection are small paring knives. I adapted to this by using the SVM-00 in the SVM-45. This allows the 139mm common Projection, however, it seems clumsy to me. I recently discovered that the pre 2002 knife jigs are lomger, with considerably longer thread length. These older jigs will allow my universal 139mm common Projection. I am presently looking for a pre 2002 SVM-45.

Ken

9

General Tormek Questions / TT-50 question

« on: May 13, 2020, 05:08:19 pm »

I have seen several sources recommending grinding a small radius into the corners of the conventional grinding wheels (SG and SJ) with the stone grader. Although I have not personally experienced problems with the corners digging in, this seems like a logical precaution.

I have also read reports about users chipping their (conventional) grinding wheels during truing. This seems to occur from the diamond running off the edge. The cure, as demonstrated by Nick Agar, seems to be lifting the diamond just before reaching the edge and finishing by moving from the outside inward. Again, this seems like a logical precaution.

Wouldn't it make sense to create the radiused corners before truing? That would eliminate the sharp corners for the diamond to fall off of and possibly chip the wheel.

Thoughts?

Ken

10

Wood Carving / link to online carving tool sharpening class

« on: May 12, 2020, 11:06:15 pm »

Here is the link to the fourth online sharpening class (carving tools) scheduled for this Thursday, May 14, at 9:30 Eastern time (US).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9S-VfdbR0Q

Ken

11

General Tormek Questions / when it rains, it pours.....

« on: May 12, 2020, 06:30:44 pm »

As many of you may know, I have been hoping for more instructional videos from Tormek for many years. My requests have finally been answered.

https://www.youtube.com/user/TormekSharpening/videos

Ken

12

General Tormek Questions / online video class thoughts

« on: May 06, 2020, 03:17:23 am »

I have been very pleased with Tormek's new online classes. Over the years, I have become a convert to the benefits of video learning. Among the benefits of video compared to traditional classrooms is the ability to view several times, thus deepening understanding. Another benefit is cost effectiveness. I am not privy to facts and figures, however, I can not imagine making an instructional video being anywhere the cost of transportation, hotel, meals, and salary of sending a crew to a show. A show could easily give brief exposure to perhaps a thousand potential customers. Who knows how many customers and users can benefit from a well done video.

I think of these videos like a baseball strategy of hitting lots of reliable singles and a few doubles instead of trying to make a few home runs. Lots of suggestions to fine tune technique and correct bad habits. An example of this is using the stone grader placed parallel to the grinding wheel instead of perpendicular. This makes the wear on the stone grader more even and helps to keep the grinding wheel true.

I hope this will help spark discussion about the many "singles" learned from the online video classes.

Ken

13

General Tormek Questions / reaction to online sharpening class#3

« on: April 29, 2020, 04:48:50 pm »

I have been anticipating the online class number three covering grinding wheels, chisels and plane blades. I was not disappointed. As with sharpening, I feel each class in the series represents a more honed technique.

As with the two earlier classes, I learned things from the first watching. Like the SG, I will continue absorbing more knowledge with future watchings.

Chisels and plane blades have always been my first sharpening love. I feel Wolfgang did a thorough job of demonstrating sharpening and showing how to use the jig. I thought he gave a good introduction to cambering and wisely did not get bogged down in a more complete explanation. Cambering is an important subject, which deserves a full class in itself. That would be beyond the scope and purpose of this class.

I felt the part on grinding wheels was the most complete coverage that Tormek has ever done. It was most welcome and informative.

I look forward to more forum discussion.

Ken

14

Knife Sharpening / new video from Knife Grinders

« on: April 25, 2020, 12:22:24 am »

Knife Grinders has just posted an outstanding new video, Minimizing Loss of Sharpness. Vadim (Wootz) has made several very informative, ground breaking videos. In my opinion, this is his best to date. His background, both as an experienced, innovative sharpener and as a very educated, highly trained researcher, really shine in this video. The information and organization are outstanding.

On a less important level, Vadim has really increased his technical quality in this video. In his past videos, I did not mind overlooking the less than stellar audio and video/lighting quality because the content was so outstanding. In this video, he has brought both the audio and video/lighting quality to the same high level as his content.

I consider this video a must see at least once for all serious Tormek knife sharpeners. I plan to study it several times in conjunction with his deburring book.

Outstanding job, Vadim!

Ken

Oops....I forgot to postthe link:

https://youtu.be/eAiEPfGdpEo

15

General Tormek Questions / another outstanding video about Tormek from Stumpy Nubs

« on: April 22, 2020, 11:55:59 am »

This says a lotin a short video:

https://youtu.be/JgKkBpqXBv4

Ken