Tormek Grinder

[gtwister09]

I have been meaning to put this up for a while. Some additional information to look at.

I purchased the Jet based on the following reviews in early 2007 and set the Tormek aside for a while (I actually lent it to someone who was just starting to do woodturing). Initially I was quite happy with the unit and would have to say that you couldn't tell the difference between the two when it came to sharpened product. The slight increase in speed (rpms) did give the Jet a slight advantage in time to sharpen and hone tools (25% or so). FYI. Some of you may have seen the Imitator report from Tormek and I must say that some of their issues I did not run into like motor heating. See these reviews below.

Jet Versus Tormek

Jet/Tormek Comparisons

I continued trying out the Jet and was dismayed at the wheel wear contrary to what the reviewer above has said. I had thought that some of the features were better but some of them I also found to be required versus convenience (I quickly realized the convenience of the tensioning adjustment was a requirement - However I also think that Tormek could learn from this as well). I also had some other minor issues so I went on a mission in forums and such to see if I was alone. Unfortunately not.

One of my neighbor kids that does pen turning now is presently borrowing my Jet. His amount of sharpening is a lot less and besides he was already using mine on a regular basis anyhow.

Here's another article/review of the Tormek vs Jet systems that had some of the same problems/issues that I had. Your mileage may vary but here's some of the same issues that I dealt with after I was sold on the cost effectiveness and apparent overall upgrade of the Jet.

Sharpener Shootout

A really positive thing is that it has brought the Tormek price down and has also made some more jigs available to the Tormek. If you don't sharpen your tools a lot then I would say that the Jet would be much more economical. Both of them are pretty overpriced when you get down to it. However with that said... I LIKE JIGS! Repeatability is a wonderful thing especially when it comes to sharpness.

Regards,

Ben

[tonyc1]

I was thinking of buying a Tormek after I saw one on ebay and then Bree chimed in with a response and went looking on the 'net and have come across a grinder called Scheppach. It is reasonably priced, so I may buy one in a couple of weeks when I can get free pick up from my brother inlaw going over to Victoria, as postage is $60.50.

If anyone knows anything re. the Scheppach, please post.

Tony.

[tonyc1]

I just looked for Jet here in Australia and the only price I could find was $1239 which is pretty expensive compared to the others. There is a Tormek on ebay for $600 and for the Scheppach it is only $585 with the extra jigs. Jet seems too pricey down here.

Tony.

[Bree]

I was thinking of buying a Tormek after I saw one on ebay and then Bree chimed in with a response and went looking on the 'net and have come across a grinder called Scheppach. It is reasonably priced, so I may buy one in a couple of weeks when I can get free pick up from my brother inlaw going over to Victoria, as postage is $60.50.

If anyone knows anything re. the Scheppach, please post.

Tony.

The Grizzly T10010... IS... a Scheppach Tiger 2500. They are the same machine. I know this 100% for a fact because I asked Scheppach directly and they told me. They do not sell the Tiger 2500 in the US. They custom manufacture it for Grizzly and they market it here.

The Scheppach jigs fit the Grizzly 10" wet grinder. Most Tormek jigs fit but not all. The profile wheels from Tormek require a 12mm profiling wheel shaft but the Grizzly/Scheppach has an 8mm shaft. I had my gunsmith mill an 8mm shaft identical to the Tormek shaft and it works like a charm. I made him a South American Kingwood Cigar pen for his trouble. And he is a very happy camper.

The Tormek planer jig does NOT fit the Scheppach because the special fine adjust support bar is not the same width as the Scheppach. You could redrill the support bracket holes and use the Tormek or just get the Grizzly or Scheppach version of the planer jig. The cost is similar and the jigs all work well.

For leather work the profiling sheels would be inportant so you should do what I did and get a special shaft milled for the wheels with 8mm male and female ends.

Hope that helps. You will save a lot of $$$ by using Tormek jigs and buying Grizzly.

[tonyc1]

Bree are you saying that Tormek jigs are better than the Scheppach and what are the profile wheels?

Tony.

[Bree]

Bree are you saying that Tormek jigs are better than the Scheppach and what are the profile wheels?

Tony.

Yes I would say that the Tormek jigs are the best. The Tormek machine is the best but not $579 vs $169 the best. I can buy all my Tormek jigs and do my little milling adaptations and still be under the price of the Tormek T7 WITHOUT even starting to buy jigs. The Grizzly T10010 can do everything the Tormek can... just takes a little creative thinking and tinkering.

The Profile Wheels are two wheels that attach to the honing wheel side of the sharpener which are tipped with leather... one rounded and one V-shaped used to take the wire edge off tools after they have been ground and honed. They are useful for several leather tools.

[Wyeman]

This thread goes back to 2009 and I was wondering whether there have been any developments of specific jigs for leatherworking tools?

Edited August 4, 2013 by Wyeman

[MakerUnknown]

There's a surprisingly active forum just for the Tormek...Mostly the same people chime in (me occasionally) but always good advice on the latest.

http://www.tormek.com/forum/index.php