Tormek vs Grizzly Wet Grinder

[Steven Green]

Has anybody had any experience with the wet grinders from Grizzly? The price difference is sure significant.

[Damon Stathatos]

I've spent more than I'd like to recall on sharpening stones, jigs, machines, and gizmos. One of my obsessions is to retain a flat grind where possible (thus, all of the stones). After all of my exploits, I still can't sharpen a chisel to my liking (read: worth a darn) without spending hours upon hours (and then a few more hours) for the initial flattening and establishing the angle. I have a Jet wet grind that I use for some of my lathe tools that I don't really care about a flat grind.

Recently I picked up a 'Jooltool' from a fellow creeker here. After a bit of indoctrination with it, I wish I had stumbled upon this thing originally, it would have saved me beaucoup AND I would have had tools the way I had always wanted them leading up to this point. Hard to believe, but it's actually made sharpening fun, fun because I marvel at how fast and effective it is. It might not be for everyone, but I would encourage you to at least look into it before making your decision.

[Peter Kelly]

I assume you're referring to the Grizzly T10010 Tormek knock-off? I think Fine Woodworking did a comparison of it, the Tormek and the Jet a while back.

Tormek came first, Grizzly second and Jet a distant last.

[Carl Beckett]

I have a grizzly slow speed wet grinder. You can't be comparing this to a Tormek.....It's very coarse. I'm going to put it in the yard sale pile.

[Dennis Ford]

Grizzly sells a couple versions, I won one of the smaller ones in a club raffle (do not recommend that one). I have read some pretty good reviews of the Grizzly 10" wet grinder.

[johnny means]

I have the Tormek, the top of the line model. I like it, but to be frank, it is a very simple machine and I can't imagine it's performance would be hard to replicate. I would bet you could build one yourself in a day or two. If I ever decide to set up dual stations, I'll be going with the Grizzly.

[Marc Burt]

I assume you're referring to the Grizzly T10010 Tormek knock-off? I think Fine Woodworking did a comparison of it, the Tormek and the Jet a while back.

Tormek came first, Grizzly second and Jet a distant last.


Any idea what issue this was in? I don't recall seeing article and I can't come up with anything on the FWW website. I'd like to read it.

[Julian Tracy]

I had the Tiger version (8" wheel I think..), and was never too happy about it as the wheel didn't run true and I just figured it was a crappy product. Then, after getting my Tormek, I used the Tormek's diamond truing accessory on the Tiger's wheel and low and behold it actually wasn't too bad of a too sharpener after all.

There were some big differences though. You could bog down the Tiger if you applied a lot of pressure to the tool -- with the Tormek, you literally can not bog it down. The Tiger is slower, partially because you can't apply as much pressure but also due to the stone not being as aggressive or just a lower quality stone in general.

And, the Tormek jigs are obviously of a higher quality.

I'd imagine that most of the above could be said of the Grizzly as well...

Whichever you buy, plan of spending the cash for a truing tool of some sort - it's darn near a requirement regardless.

Julian

[Carl Beckett]

I have a Lap-sharp LS200 system and like it very much. If spending big $$ on a sharpening system, this might be worth a look to you.

(I got mine off CL for a good price so it might not be fair to compare, but I do really like it)

[michael case]

I have never heard an owner who was happy with the Grizzly sharpener. If your going to buy a Tormek (I've had one for six years) I should warn you that the drive wheel are plastic and have a tendency to crack. This is bad enough, given the price of the machine, but Tormek asks an outrageous $70.00 to replace them (jet only charges $18.00). This is the only issue I have had, but it is enough. Pay over $600.00 for a simple machine like this and then have to come up with $70.00 time and again. NO WAY! So stay away from Tormek.

[Ruel Smith]

http://www.thisoldworkshop.com/index.php/reviews/114-review-powersharpeners/122-review-sharpener

[Ruel Smith]

http://www.finewoodworking.com/ToolGuide/ToolGuidePDF.aspx?id=25255

[Jeff Duncan]

Well I guess I'm old school as I use a plain old slow speed grinder to sharpen my chisels. I picked up a little stand that you can adjust the angle of and it works quite well for my needs. I do like the concept of being able to sharpen longer blades and such.....but I'd have to sharpen a LOT of blades to cover the entry fee on the Tormek! The Grizzly looks pretty attractive at that price....but I too would be cautious when it's Soooooo much cheaper??? Let us know how you make out.

good luck,
JeffD

[Bill White]

I don't know why the venerable Makita horizontal wet sharpener gets overlooked. I've used this puppy for many years with excellent results. Plane irons, knives, chisels, skews, etc. Fine, simple machine.
Bill

[Jim Andrew]

I have the Grizzly 8" wet slow speed grinder. It is fine for sharpening chisels and plane irons, although slower than a high speed grinder. My trouble is getting the plane iron mounted in the holder so it comes out square.

[Peter Kelly]

Any idea what issue this was in? I don't recall seeing article and I can't come up with anything on the FWW website. I'd like to read it.

Sorry now that I remember, it was the above mentioned article in FWW (http://www.finewoodworking.com/ToolGuide/ToolGuidePDF.aspx?id=25255) where they reviewed the Scheppach Tiger 2000 which is or was identical to one of the Grizzly ones.

[Larry Edgerton]

I don't know why the venerable Makita horizontal wet sharpener gets overlooked. I've used this puppy for many years with excellent results. Plane irons, knives, chisels, skews, etc. Fine, simple machine.
Bill

I agree. I had both, this and a vertical. My vertical was actually a very heavy unit made for the optical business, but after I bought the Makita it was used less and less until I just gave it away.

Bill

Another bonus I have discovered with the Makita is that it makes a great resurfacer when you buy an old tool with a rusted top. Using lots of water, flip the Makita upside down with the 200 stone in it and use it as a surface grinder. If you run the whole top in a pattern it will not be long and you will have a nice top with all of the bumps around nicks ground flat. You do have to use lots of water, or do as I did and buy a second 200 stone to use with oil. It takes a light touch but works well.

Larry

[Carl Beckett]

I don't know why the venerable Makita horizontal wet sharpener gets overlooked. I've used this puppy for many years with excellent results. Plane irons, knives, chisels, skews, etc. Fine, simple machine.
Bill

As timing has it, this weekend was time to hit the planer blades again so out came the Makita and it works nice. I wish the support posts for the blade guide was a little more precision. And a tool rest at 90 would be nice (for squaring scrapers - which I did by hand this time) And its messy. But it works well.

While it was out a couple old rusted chisels got taken care of, and also a couple old plane irons that a gentleman gave (basically junk, but a sharp blade does wonders.....)

I have never used a Tormek, but from what I have seen and played with in the store... I would also go with this Makita over the Tormek (it works, and its much cheaper!)

I have never run this on oil - what are you using for oil/stone combination??

[Larry Edgerton]

Carl

I only use the 200 stone with oil when I am using it upside down to grind a top. I use whatever I have around. I bought a Porter jointer that had been left outside, and that is what made me try this. By hand was taking too long.

I flip it upside down to flatten the stones on a piece of rough concrete as well. Takes light pressure or the motor will stall out, but works well and is fast.

They are a bit messy. I have a three sided hinged plywood thingy to go around the back and wear an apron. I have thought about trying a speed control on it, but have not gotten around to it. I bought mine for planer blades, but have Tersa's now. I have bben wanting to weld up a different kind of holder for chisels/plane irons but have not gotten to it. I do them freehand now.

Larry

[Rick Alexander]

If you're doing plane irons, lathe knives, or chisels - I love my Worksharp 3000. Won't do planer knives but it just works for those things for me. Knives too if you get the attachment.

[Doug Freeman]

I have the Grizzly 10" model. I highly recommend it vs the Tormek based on the fact that they are simple machines and the Grizzly is far cheaper. The only functional difference is the micro adjust on the Tormek tool arm. I suspect the stones are different as well, but haven't tried a Tormek. Use the Tormek accessories, I think the only one that won't work for the Grizzly is the planer blade attachment. Use the Grizzly sqyare blade attachment that comes with it, it works as well as the Tormek version.

I purchased a wet sharpener as I was getting into wood working. For plane blades and chisels I don't really recommend any of them. Using the stone and strop will create a sharp edge but on a microscopic level the edge is jagged and will have more limited life vs a smooth sharp edge from lapping film or xfine water stones. They re also very slow for grinding primary bevels. I find it excellent for turning tools though. Provides a much longer lasting edge vs directly off a dry grinder.

[Jacob Reverb]

I have the Grizzly 10" model. I highly recommend it


Me too. Best $200 I ever spent on WW.

[John McClanahan]

I recommend skipping over the low priced Grizzly model. I have the HF version of it. The stone wobbles. The leather wheel wobbles and thumps as the blade passes over the splice. I just bought a Worksharp 3000 and the wet sharpener will be in the next garage sale.

John