Parting tool held in the SVS-50 with Closed Seat

Guidelines shown below are for use with the Tormek SVS-50 Multi Jig. For the Diamond Parting Tool, Tormek recommends the Open Seat; however I have found that the Closed Seat is easier to use. The advantage to using the Closed Seat is that it is easier to align the tool with the USB, making it easier to ensure the tool is properly aligned relative to the grindstone. The disadvantage is that the tool has to be removed and the projection re-set to sharpen the other side. (Though this is not a difficult task.) Hand-craft signifies cunning, or sleight, or craft of the hand, which cannot be taught by words, but is only gained by practice and exercise. Joseph Moxon

General Guidelines
α	SVS-50			Comments
	JS	P	Hole
55°	0°	65 mm	B	click on the gray block to see more α can range from 50° - 85°.

Notes & Comments

Information regarding Grindstones

Edge Profiles

Some different edge profiles are discussed below.

Diamond style

Convex edge on the bottom

The diamond style shown to the left is the shape for the tool when shipped by most manufacturers. The edges may be flat instead of slightly concaved (shown exaggerated here).

An alternative has a convex edge on the bottom edge. This is shown in the 2nd picture to the left.

The advantages to this approach are: the added metal below the center line provides better support for the cutting edge, reducing vibration at the tip, this shape does not burnish the wood as quickly as the traditional shape, and the tool is kept sharp longer.

The disadvantages to this approach are: this shape will not be as sharp (as the α will be larger), this tool shape cannot be flipped to allow the turner to use the the other side. This is useful when wood builds up on the edge's surface (as it does with oily woods like padauk), and it also does not allow for usage in as close a quarter (i.e., when using the tool like a bedan to cut at a rotated angle).

Setting the projection

Setting the Projection

The TTS-100 or the Projection Jig can be used to set the projection. (The color of the top of the Projection Jig is shown green for clarity.)

The picture to the right shows that projection being set.

Using the Open Seat on the SVS-50

If using the open seat, it is recommended to not move side-to-side with the tool's edge engaged with the grinding surface. Instead, move to a position, ensure the SVS-50 is aligned with the USB, and then raise the handle to engage the tool with the grinding surface.

If you want to move use a different part of the grinding surface, lower the handle first, and then repeat the above-listed instructions.

More Information

Books & Papers

• Alan Lacer wrote an article for the AAW titled "Learn to Sharpen Your Turning Tools" where he recommended 50° (25° per side) for the edge.
• Some information presented is from the Tormek handbook, Water Cooled Sharpening of Edge Tools, © Tormek AB.

Videos & Presentations

• Tormek Live Sharpening Class - Part 3 - Chisels, plane irons & Tormek grinding wheels (YouTube video). Sèbastian and Wolfgang offer some great tips on the sharpening of chisels & plane irons using the various Tormek grinding wheels, including the use of the diamond wheels.
  • At 00:46, there is a great explanation of sharpening a tool with a radiused end using the SE-77 Square Edge Jig.
  • At 00:52, there is a great explanation of how to use the MB-100 Multi Base.
• Tormek Sharpening Classes: Part 23 - Reshaping woodturning tools on a bench grinder (YouTube video). In this episode of the Tormek sharpening classes we explain how you can quickly and with full control, re-profile your turning tools on your bench grinder. The BGM-100 Bench Grinder Mounting Kit allows you to use the same jig settings as on your water-cooled Tormek sharpening system. It is therefore easy to do the rough shaping on the bench grinder and then continue to sharpen and maintain the edge of your Tormek machine.
• How to sharpen roughing gouges, skews & parting tools - Tormek SVS-50 Multi Jig - with Nick Agar (YouTube video). In this third episode, Nick Agar shows how to sharpen a roughing gouge with a few simple steps using the open seat of Tormek's Multi Jig SVS-50. Further, he shows how to sharpen a parting tool and a skew using the closed seat of the SVS-50. Nick also demonstrates how to use the Tormek Marker Method when setting the angle and how to sharpen a custom skew shape on the side of Tormek's Diamond Wheel using MB-100 Multi Base. The part about parting tools starts around 3:25.
• Jeff Farris - Sharpening with the Tormek SVS-50 Multi-Jig (YouTube video)
• Tormek Multi jig SVS-50 (YouTube video)
• Tormek Turning Tool Setter TTS-100 (YouTube video)
• Tormek AngleMaster WM-200 (YouTube video)