All 3 of my support arms measure .477 (I don't think that comes out exactly to any in or mm).
Ask 10 turners and get a dozen different answers - I have the opposite experience with the tormek tool bar and jig with a bench grinder. Several advantages over the wolverine, more flexible - can do wolverine and Vector grinds.I had a Jet knock-off wet grinder and bought the Tormek jigs. It died and I bought the attachment for the regular grinder. I never really liked how it attached and it really didn’t offer any advantage over the wolverine jig. The wet grinder produced a great edge, but was slow. I could use the Tormek jigs with the bar, but never felt really solid compared to the wet grinder. When I got the Hannes Vector jig I sold that attachment and all of the Tormek jigs.
Thanks Bill! That gives me a starting point. It comes out to about 12.12mm, and that extra 0.12mm is less than 0.005", so I'll start with 12mm rod. If the fit has too much slop for my tastes I'll figure something else out. You can get drill rod in 12.1mm, but it's harder to find. I know I could just buy the Tormek grinder mounts, but what fun would that be? My philosophy is "Why buy something when you can make it yourself at twice the price, half the quality, and take way too much time doing it?". I enjoy making my own tools, jigs, etc., so it's all just part of the fun.All 3 of my support arms measure .477 (I don't think that comes out exactly to any in or mm).
I get the impression that if you ask 10 turners, at least half will have multiple sharpening systems they use depending on which tools they're sharpening, and none of us want to think about how much we have invested in them.Ask 10 turners and get a dozen different answers - I have the opposite experience with the tormek tool bar and jig with a bench grinder. Several advantages over the wolverine, more flexible - can do wolverine and Vector grinds.
Not sure how it is more flexible. Been a couple of years, but I don’t remember it being able to do the Vector grind. My experience was neutral. It allowed me to use the Tormek jigs, but IMO there was no real advantage. if you like it use it, just not my preferred method to sharpen my tools.Ask 10 turners and get a dozen different answers - I have the opposite experience with the tormek tool bar and jig with a bench grinder. Several advantages over the wolverine, more flexible - can do wolverine and Vector grinds.
James - THANK YOU for the visual. Epiphany noted.It is always good to have options. I have the Tormek support arm to work with CBN wheels and I added a wolverine mount to my Tormek grinder. Also the Tormek support arm can mount to each side of the grinder 4 different ways using the Wolverine fixture. The way my grinder is mounted I turn the support bracket around so it will be close enough for the "B" setting. It will also work to the left of the grinding wheel but I have the Vector depth guide in the way.
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