Between posts, I've been working on fitting out a corner of back shed to do a little bit of meditative wood turning. Rather than jumping right in and actually turning something, I thought it wise to invest some extra time and cash in getting some sharpening gear together.
Enter the Tormek T7.
The Tormek system is to a bench grinder what a surgeon's scalpal is to a meat-axe. Even the packaging is nice. It must be the first tool or machine I've ever owned that came with its own instructional DVD and hardcover instruction manual. Even one of the optional jig sets came with another complete instruction manual, along with a high density foam packing case that can be screwed to the wall as a storage unit.
Yes, it's a bit expensive but...
The Tormek system has a stepped down electric motor (90 RPM) and a water trough to continuously bath the grindstone. There is even a little magnet under the trough to collect any iron-based filings that come of the stone. The stone is so smooth and gentle you can run your fingers across it without injury (probably not recommended, but you can). According to the manual, the Tormek is safe to use in flammable and explosive environments as it generates no sparks at all.
This cost more than my first car but...
The finish that this thing delivers puts my previous attempts at tool sharpening to shame. The leather clad honing wheel brings the stone finished edge up to a mirror finish - literally. If you want tools that can shave the hair off the back of your arm, this is a great place to start. The only thing I can think of that compares to the type of finish you get is a set of Japanese water stones I saw a cabinet maker use once.
Biggest problem apart from the expense?
Kitchen knives - it turns out that sharpening knives freehand on the Tormek is as relaxing as wood turning... and once you sharpen one knife on this it makes all your other knives seem blunt. Get your friends and family in on the racket and you have more work than you can handle. My first tube of polishing compound that came with the Tormek is almost used up and I've yet to put a wood turning chisel anywhere near it.
Enter the Tormek T7.
The Tormek system is to a bench grinder what a surgeon's scalpal is to a meat-axe. Even the packaging is nice. It must be the first tool or machine I've ever owned that came with its own instructional DVD and hardcover instruction manual. Even one of the optional jig sets came with another complete instruction manual, along with a high density foam packing case that can be screwed to the wall as a storage unit.
Yes, it's a bit expensive but...
The Tormek system has a stepped down electric motor (90 RPM) and a water trough to continuously bath the grindstone. There is even a little magnet under the trough to collect any iron-based filings that come of the stone. The stone is so smooth and gentle you can run your fingers across it without injury (probably not recommended, but you can). According to the manual, the Tormek is safe to use in flammable and explosive environments as it generates no sparks at all.
This cost more than my first car but...
The finish that this thing delivers puts my previous attempts at tool sharpening to shame. The leather clad honing wheel brings the stone finished edge up to a mirror finish - literally. If you want tools that can shave the hair off the back of your arm, this is a great place to start. The only thing I can think of that compares to the type of finish you get is a set of Japanese water stones I saw a cabinet maker use once.
Biggest problem apart from the expense?
Kitchen knives - it turns out that sharpening knives freehand on the Tormek is as relaxing as wood turning... and once you sharpen one knife on this it makes all your other knives seem blunt. Get your friends and family in on the racket and you have more work than you can handle. My first tube of polishing compound that came with the Tormek is almost used up and I've yet to put a wood turning chisel anywhere near it.
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