Tormek Sharpening System – Getting Started
The Tormek water-cooled sharpening system has a well-deserved reputation for versatility, accuracy and ease of use. Its precise jig-guided control allows even a novice to consistently create proper edge geometry on a wide range of household and woodworking tools.
Set-Up
These main components of the Tormek sharpening machine require proper set-up before sharpening can begin.
- Prepare the stone with the stone grader to produce a surface of the desired grit (Photo 1).
- Prepare the leather honing wheel by oiling and applying Tormek’s honing compound (Photo 2). Veritas green honing compound also works.
- Install the universal support horizontally or vertically, depending on the jig used and tools to be sharpened (see the summary table and Photos 3 & 4). Mounted vertically, the universal support is for sharpening towards the edge, while a horizontal support position is for sharpening from the edge.
- Mount the tool to the appropriate grinding jig and set the proper angle (Photos 5-7).
Photo 1 – The grindstone can be regraded to 220x or 1000x in 30 seconds or so.
Photo 2 – Soften the leather with oil, then apply a thin bead of Tormek honing compound or touch a bar of Veritas honing compound to the turning wheel.
| Tools | Universal Support Position |
| General woodworking such as blades & chisels (except short chisels) | Vertical |
| Truing grindstone | Vertical |
| Woodturning such as spindle & bowl gouges (except scrapers) | Horizontal |
| Woodcarving (except axes & scorps) | Horizontal |
| Honing | Horizontal |
| Carving knives & knives | Vertical or Horizontal |
Photo 3 – The tool support is mounted in an upright position when sharpening chisels and blades.
Photo 4 – When sharpening woodturning and woodcarving tools or using the leather wheel, install the tool support in the horizontal position.
Photo 5 – Check the wheel size and use it to set the diameter compensator on the AngleMaster.
Photo 6 – With the angle setter dialed to the desired angle, use the AngleMaster to position the universal support.
Photo 7 – Change the blade projection if the grinding jig bottoms out on the grindstone.