I have a Tormek, and I found that re-shaping a HSS gouge is a PITA. Tormek recently announced a package (BGM-100) that lets you use your Tormek jigs on a bench grinder. It's just an additional jig bar and holder.
Here's the tip - if you buy one before January 15, you can get a free additional horizontal base, so you can use the jig bar on both wheels.
It just arrived, but it looks like I can easily have both my Wolverine and the Tormek on the same grinder.
I've been using a rig on my dry grinder to allow the use of the Tormek jigs on the dry grinder for over a year now. Last year at the AAW symposium I picked up a BGM 100 and was able to then set it up to use the jigs on both of my grinding wheels. There is very little grinding needed when one moves to the Tormek after shaping on the dry grinder. Inicdentally, I have diamond wheels on my dry grinder from Andre Martel in Canada. The 360 grit comes pretty close to producing the sharpness one can obtain on the Tormek.
Fred Holder
What speed's the grinder? Will those work on a 3500 rpm or should they just be used on a 1750?
Hello Kevin,
They are solid steel frames and should work at higher speeds. A friend of mine, Jack Wayne, uses them on his high speed grinder and claims that they work better there than on the slow speed grinder. I think he was using only a 180 grit wheel on his high speed grinder and was getting beautifully polished bevels.
Fred Holder
Great. I'm running a 120 grit white wheel right now but may have to look into the diamond wheel. How does one dress them, or do they ever need dressing? I find adding a bit of water to my diamond hones helps a lot as they clog pretty easily otherwise.
Hello Again Kevin,
That is one of the beauties of these diamond wheels. They remain flat, they are 1-1/2" wide, and you don't have to dress them. I did have to remove the side covers on my grinder, but they aren't needed since these wheels are not likely to explode.
Fred Holder
So do they clog up with steel? Or does the centrifugal force keep the 'shavings' off? Ever need to just wipe them down w/a damp rag?
...Kevin
Hello Again Kevin,
I haven't had to wipe them down with anything. You do get a build up of metal dust below the grinder over time. As near as I can tell they are pretty much maintenance free, but I don't turn every day so I can't say how they would be for someone sharpening their tools several times a day or every few minutes.
Fred Holder
BEWARE - diamond will dissolve in steel - most metal workers use diamond for carbide but use other wheels for steel - if you press hard against your diamond wheel you will easily destroy it, or so I am told - I have never done this - don't want to find out that it's true and then have to buy a new $$$ wheel.
So I guess I should wait a year and see if Fred's is still intact!
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