Tormek t7

[Brian Deakin]

I have a set of Norton water-stones 250 1000 4000 and 8000 grit

I also have a set of Lie Nielson bevel edge chisels and both a Lie Nielson number 5.5 plane and a spare Hock blade

Do I need/should I purchase a Tormek T7

regards Brian

[Jim Matthews]

Only if you think things are too slow, with your stash.

You can get a good grind with sandpaper on a granite slab,
and work through the grits afterward.

I have a belt sander (http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,43072&p=44884) that I picked up at a tag sale that works fast,
when the steel is in poor condition. New blades shouldn't require that
sort of heavy handling.

It's small, and uses no water so I can put it away until needed.

The Tormek is an awesome tool, but not without it's hygenic limitations.

[Vince Shriver]

What's a hygenic limitation?

[Jim Matthews]

What's a hygenic limitation?

The Tormek uses a water bath.
I'm clumsy; anything liquid invariably ends up where I don't want it.

I'm not big on power sanding, for the same reasons - it's distributed by normal use
and extra effort is required to contain the mess.

Better not to make the mess, in my shop.
The maid is terribly lazy.

[Ellen Benkin]

I use a Worksharp 3000 on all my chisels and plane blades. It's fast and easy.

[Ian Wormsbecker]

I bought a General International slow speed 8in grinder for $99 at a wood show. I then bought the OneWay balancing thingy, and the Cool grinding wheel.

Here are links to my entire sharpening setup. I bought almost all of it at Lee Valley. I think the price for my entire setup is less than the Tormek

8" General International Low Speed Grinder - $99 woodshow special
http://www.general.ca/products/1_general/15_grinder/15-825.html

8"x1" Cool Grinding Wheel - $53.50
http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=32981&cat=1,43072,43080&ap=1

Diamond point wheel dresser - $23.50
http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=32978&cat=1,43072,43080&ap=1

Veritas Basic Grinding Set - $69
http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=32975&cat=1,43072,45938

One Way Balancing System - $69.50
http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=49226&cat=1,43072

8000x Water stone - $94
http://www.leevalley.com/en/Wood/page.aspx?p=51817&cat=1,43072,67175
This is beside my bench and I use it very frequently

1000x/4000x Water Stone - $61


I am pretty sure I paid less than this for most of the items, but there you have it, my full grinding/sharpening setup for chisels and plane blades. I did make a little wooden jig to hold the diamond point wheel dresser that rides in the Veritas tool rest.


Scared to add it up! $400.50 Not bad.


Given you already have the water stones your investment will be at least half that for a reasonable grinder, the tool rest, truing system and balancer.


Ian

[Erik Christensen]

Short answer - no. not for flat edge tools like chisels & plane blades. A tormek does a uniquely good job on rounded edge tools like a lathe gouge but for what you want to sharpen you already have the best method - only thing I would suggest is a good guide unless you are good with freehand micro-bevels. the only time i use my tormek on plane blades is if I need to re-do a hollow grind (micro bevel is no longer micro, I want a different cutting angle or I want to grind out a ding in the blade) - 95+% of my chisel/plane sharpening are on water stones