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Thoughts?

Like most, I am guilty of not sharping my tools, and I really need to get a system together.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

I thought your Dad took care of that, Lance
What's a Tormek SuperGrind

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Tickle your guitar daily, and it'll tickle you back.

I use two methods, my Bass Pro Shop paper wheel sharpener, two 3/4 by 7 inch paper wheels mounted on a small bench grinder. One wheel is coated with 220 grit abrasive over titebond. the other wheel is coated with white buffing rouge and is more like a leather strop than anything. So, I sharpen on the grit, then buff to a gloss and remove the wireedge created by the 220 wheel. This system is forty bucks. I got the NuLine buffer/grinder from MSCDirect for $69 on sale, normally about $99.

The other method is a piece of plate glass and wet and dry sandpaper with water. Takes a while, but works like a charm. If you use enough grits you can get to the polished look on you chisels.

I think it was Mario who just keeps stickit sanding disks pasted around on his workbenches to give his chisels a lick or two on a regular basis.Dickey38377.5364583333

John, he did, or does, but its not always very convenient for him or I.
Bruce, Currently, I have been using that scary sharp system, starting with 80 grit, all the way up to 2000 grit on glass, it DOES work, but its slow.

John, here is a Tormek


TORMEK LINK

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Lance I have the tormek with the various jigs. It works great, but it does take some learning process. I still have problems with getting the right angle on the chisel to make the grind right. I have thought of selling it and going back to stones just for room sake

Lance, I've got one and love it. When I first started this crazy biz, I just couldn't get the hang of hand sharpening. I got to the point where I could get them sharp but it took forever. So out of a production necessity, I took the plunge and bought the Tormek.
I had a contest with John Watkins who I might add is a chisel wiz, and I think we agreed that the Tormek actually did a better job. We were using end grain rock maple as the test.
It takes some learning to get all the jigs set up properly but once you get them it's a quick job.

Lance,

I registered just to respond to your post. :)

Greetings to all.

I bought a Tormek last year and love it. (No affiliation, just a happy customer.) Here's a few thoughts:

First, take a look at the demo videos at this site:

http://www.sharptoolsusa.com/demo.php

Even if you don't want a Tormek, the videos are worth watching. (I saw the guy beat on his chisel with a hatchet in a local woodshow, just like on the video, and it was amazing.) I will say that these videos are NOT an exaggeration. It may take a bit of practice before you will be working as quickly as in the demo, but really not that much practice. It is very fast and very effective.

In terms of its speed, it takes me a little longer to get the system out than to pull out waterstones. However, if I have more than one tool to sharpen, the Tormek is much faster.

In terms of its effectiveness, I get similar results from the Tormek as I get from waterstones. People who are better with waterstones than I am might get better results with the stones, but with the Tormek, I can easily shave my armhair with every blade in my shop.

As for the learning curve people have mentioned in this thread, I didn't have an issue with that. It did take me a couple hours to figure it out, but with that behind me it works very well.

The biggest disadvantage of the Tormek is the cost. Waterstones are much cheaper. But after a few years of having both waterstones and dull tools, I decided it was worth the investment. I've been happy with mine.

Good luck.
Kelby

Lance..

I've had one for about 3 years now and I can't live without it, it's expensive no doubt and it takes a little practice to get it to work right but MAN can it sharpen a blade.

I *HATE* using waterstones, I'll never go back now that I have the Tormek.

-Paul-

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-Paul-

Patriot Guitars

Thanks guys Sounds like a SOUND investment, fearing I'm going to hurt my self with dull tools, it maybe cheaper than a trip to the ER in the long run. At this point I'm heavily considering it. Lots of tools I want and need, but a sharp chisel is at the top of my list.

Kelby, glad ya registered! Welcome to the Luthiers Forum!

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

You folks that have the Tormek, is the starter package all that is needed? And then add jigs as you find a need for them? Or are the other package deals worth the extra money?

Thanks!

Jeff

Jeff, it looks like the starter package includes what you need to sharpen bench chisels and plane blades.
Thats the package in looking at.

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Lance@LuthiersForum.com

Lance, thanks for the welcome!

Jeff, the starter package will get your chisels and plane blades sharp. However, you will want to get the diamond truing tool to ensure the stone is parallel to the jig and thus to the blade edge.