BESS with woodworking tools

[Rupert Lucius]

Good point, Rupert.

The Tormek is an excellent tool for sharpening. That is its primary function. Within limits, it can be used for reshaping. You are correct that the coarsest grit is obtained directly after using the TT-50 Truing Tool. In fact, even this process can be varied. Usually the diamond is fed very slowly, taking two minutes to traverse the stone. This produces the smoothest surface. If the traverse time is sped up to thirty seconds, this will produce a coarser surface. 

Some suggestions for using the trying tool:
1) Think of the grinding wheel like brake shoes, as something designed to be consumed. It will last a very long time, however, it is designed to be used and consumed. Let it do its job well by sacrificing a tiny bit frequently through retruing. By retruing frequently (and lightly) you will avoid many sharpening gremlins.

2) Start with very light passes. I prefer to make several very light passes wuth the truing tool, usually half a number on the microadjust knob. I have occasionally made more aggressive passes when needed, however, I prefer the quieter, gentler approach of light passes. I like to sense how far out of true my wheel has become. I think of the wheel condition as a graph. The top of the graph is optimum. As the wheel is used, the line lowers until the wheel should not be used. By using the truing tool frequently for light touch up, we keep the line closer to optimum. Sharpening is just better.

3) With focused practice, retruing takes little time. It is one of the essential skill of using a Tormek.

Keep posting.

Ken

ps Do not forget to tighten the locking screw and make sure you use enough water to keep the grinding surface wet. As I have done both in the past, it is possible that others might, also.

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Rupert,  purchased his first Tormek somewhere in the 1990's, Rupert's second machine was a gift from Don in NW Arkansas (Don, went with belts sand etc) and Rupert's third machine gifted from son Henry - said three machines have been updated to T-7's other than paint.

If for any reason I should need and or want another Tormek there is a knife maker in Central West South Dakota that would gift me his new T 7 never opened and/or used (5/6 years since purchase).

Thanks, to both of you two posters I am still learning at 85years of age.

To close, I have never used my Tormeks for anything other than kitchen, utility and pocket knives.

Never turned any knife into a "tooth pick" and hope to never damage a knife.

Rupert