“THE HIGH COST OF ACC-150”
We have had numerous posts lamenting "the high cost of ACC-150”. Let's calculate that cost. Two 150ml bottles of ACC-150 cost $39 US. The water trough of the T8 requires 125ml of water + 5ml of ACC. Rounding up our cost for simplicity and to allow for some spillage, let's use $40 and 6ml. This works out to 50 batches at $.80 each from our two bottles. For even more simplicity, and over the protests of members more mathematically adept than I am, let's round that up even higher to $1 US per batch.
For the typical user, a (one) diamond wheel adds around $300 to the cost of the Tormek. While this diamond wheel could be used dry, for good practice, it should be used with ACC. For decades, Tormek users have been using plain water with SG wheels. For simplicity, let's ignore the water utility bill and consider the water "free".
Diamond wheels expand the scope of the Tormek. You mention sharpening carbide tipped tools. The possible list would also include ceramic knives and greater efficiency sharpening or reshaping high speed steel tools.
While any expectation that diamond wheels last forever is not reasonable, one would reasonably expect longer life than the SG. Twice the life would seem like a very conservative estimate. At that life expectancy, a diamond wheel with its ACC is at worst no more expensive than two SG wheels with "free" water.
Diamond wheels cut faster than the SG. I leave it to you to insert your own figures for time and operating cost savings. Whether you have a sharpening business for income or sharpen for the good will of family and friends, you should calculate this into your ACC costs.
Food for thought.
Ken
