Like many - I started with a grinder. And now I have 2 - with 4 CBN wheels in grit ranges of 80,180, 350, and 600. Excessive? Yes....but that never seemed to help me manage diarrhea of the wallet....
So, then - I got curious about the Sorby belt sharpening system, and have one. I like it, but it does not get much use. I was giving Nick Agar grief about bringing his own Tormek to our club learning center, where we have a CBN wheeled grinder. And, then he sharpened 2 of my gouges ( same size and manufacturer ). One on our CBN wheeled grinder. One on his Tormek. He handed them back to me - grinned and said. "O.K. smarty pants - use both of these and then YOU tell me what you honestly think". Convinced that I knew "sharp" from dull...I went to work turning. Within an hour of going back and forth between the 2 gouges it was clear. The CBN sharpened one needed re-sharpening. The Tormek sharpened one did not. In fact...I used it the rest of that day. Without needing to re-sharpen. I did re-hone it on the composite wheel side of the Tormek. And...yes I bought the Tormek T-8 with the Woodturner Package....
I still use my CBN set up primarily - just habit. But I am working on matching the jig angles on the CBN to the jig setup on the Tormek. That will give me the option of CBN - for a quick, roughing gouge cut - or go to the Tormek toffee edge and hone for finishing cuts. I think..... Anyway - I noticed that Nick did a LONG but very good live demoon the Tormek for Lee Valley. They recorder it and posted on Youtube. Get coffee and a snack.....
View: https://youtu.be/hASsdPjZdkg
So, then - I got curious about the Sorby belt sharpening system, and have one. I like it, but it does not get much use. I was giving Nick Agar grief about bringing his own Tormek to our club learning center, where we have a CBN wheeled grinder. And, then he sharpened 2 of my gouges ( same size and manufacturer ). One on our CBN wheeled grinder. One on his Tormek. He handed them back to me - grinned and said. "O.K. smarty pants - use both of these and then YOU tell me what you honestly think". Convinced that I knew "sharp" from dull...I went to work turning. Within an hour of going back and forth between the 2 gouges it was clear. The CBN sharpened one needed re-sharpening. The Tormek sharpened one did not. In fact...I used it the rest of that day. Without needing to re-sharpen. I did re-hone it on the composite wheel side of the Tormek. And...yes I bought the Tormek T-8 with the Woodturner Package....
I still use my CBN set up primarily - just habit. But I am working on matching the jig angles on the CBN to the jig setup on the Tormek. That will give me the option of CBN - for a quick, roughing gouge cut - or go to the Tormek toffee edge and hone for finishing cuts. I think..... Anyway - I noticed that Nick did a LONG but very good live demoon the Tormek for Lee Valley. They recorder it and posted on Youtube. Get coffee and a snack.....