Some really great add-ons have emerged lately for the Tormek, and this section contains a quick reference to those user-designed jigs, fixtures, and modifications.
Index of Known Jigs, Fixtures, & Modifications
Front Vertical Base- for faster and more consistent setup when sharpening knives
KenJig- for faster and more consistent setup when sharpening knives
HanJig- for faster and more consistent setup when sharpening knives
Laser Goniometer - for identifying the angle that is on a knife, so the grind angle can be matched
Goniostat - for sharpening tools at specific angles
Pivot Jig for SVM-45 Knife Jig - for making it easier to keep the grind angle consistent along the end of the blade as it curves to a point. Also very useful for sharpening pruning shears for gardening.
The Front Vertical Base (FVB), designed by Dr. Vadim Kraichuk of KnifeGrinders, has been instrumental in making the sharpening process more repeatable. And KnifeGrinders has developed tools and software around it's use. Instructions for use are available from KnifeGrinders.
The FVB that KnifeGrinders designed is built to enable them to quickly sharpen knives in a very repeatable and accurate manner. And this system does that well. Of note though is that this system (as embedded in the associated app) is based on measuring from the FVB's top to the bottom of the universal support bar (USB) that the FVB is holding.
The video below shows the FVB in use.
Or you could take a different approach. The approach advocated by Jan Švancara on the Tormek forum is to measure from the USB to the grindstone (rather than from the FVB to the USB). Taking this approach works for the sharpener, whether the sharpener chooses to use the FVB or not. And, it makes the size of the FVB matter not (except to ensure it does not interfere with its use).
And, the on-line Calculators will work using this approach.
Block of aluminum which is the same dimensions as the XB-100, and 25mm thick. (Alternatively, a similarly-sized block of wood or section of rectangular metal tubing can be used.)
II. Using linear rail supports bolted to the back of the TormekXB-100 Horizontal Base, as shown to the right. This was noted on the Tormek forum in a posting by PaGorg.
What is not known about this style is how the sharpener ensures the USB is properly aligned. This concern comes from the idea that each of the Jet jigs could be extended different amounts, causing the USB to not be aligned correctly to the Tormek's body. Quite possibly a block could be used to ensure they are extended to the same distance from the machine's body.
In December 2015, Jan Švancara posted on the Tormek forum an idea for modifying the TormekTTS-100 Turning Tool Setter to accommodate the setup of the universal support bar (USB) based on the a few pre-determined knife edge angles. What is truly great about this idea is that it accommodates changes in the grindstone's diameter.
Sheang Han (who goes by Tournevis on the Tormek forum) built a jig for that made of metal. His information was posted on the Tormek forum around February 2016.
This jig is a great story for the sharpener. It shows the progression of ideas :
Ken developed the KenJig for fast setup of the USB for sharpening knives.
Jan took that idea, and made it more universal to accommodate different angles and varying sizes of the stone.
Then Han made it a nice, simple design.
The last picture shows 4 HanJigs made by Rick Krung. His testing showed very strong BESS™ ratings using these.
HanJig
The generally-accepted opinion is that the sharpener should decide to use the HanJig if sharpening a few knives with a specific angle (e.g., one or two at a time at a farmer's market).
If sharpening quite a few knives with the same angle (i.e., all your wife's kitchen knives), then the platform approach will be faster overall.
Multiple HanJigs
Plans for the 4 HanJigs made by Rick Krung are linked below :
The bigger hole is for the Tormek's USB. It is 12 mm in diameter.
For the bearings, skate board ball bearings probably work acceptably, and are very cost effective (30 for about $12). You will need to drill the other two holes to accommodate a screw for a shaft for them.
These are prone to rusting if they get wet. For this reason, Rick used stainless steel ones. Each HanJig needs the following. If you are making 4, multiply everything by 4.
Sharpening certain tools requires angles to be cut in ways that can be complex. To do this requires a Goniostat. The version I've made for use on a Tormek is shown here. It gets used for :
Single point cutting tools for use on a metal lathes : The accuracy of those cuts matters as a variation of only 2 or 3° can make a big difference in the tools effectiveness.
Collar Pivot Jig with the SVM-45 Knife Jig, version 1
The first version of this collar is shown on the right, and was published in 2018 on the Tormek forum by CB. It makes for easier sharpening of knives as it allows for easier pivoting of the knife jig when sharpening. It is especially useful for keeping a consistent grind on the edge, especially for blades with curves (as most have).
Later in 2018, Rick Krung published on the Tormek forum an improvement to CB's design. This is shown in the 2nd picture on the right.
It is really quite nice, and has received (well-deserved) rave reviews, though it is a bit more involved to make as it requires a bit of machining and welding. I do like the simplicity of this approach, and the excellent work done by a great machinist.
Still later in 2018, Gord Cameron published on the Tormek forum a different approach which had simplicity in fabrication as its governing principle. This is shown in the pictures on the right.
Gord is not a machinist, and stated that he wanted something that could be made by anyone with a hack saw, a file, and a drill press. He also wanted to design something that someone could make out of plastic, either by shaping it or by using a 3D printer, so he designed it to have more reinforcing bulk than the pin pivot collar. (Editor's note: I've not been successful making one of these from plastic as even Delrin was too flexible.)
The one shown is made from a bar of aluminium that is 2” long and 1” square.
The picture at the bottom shows this attached to the knife jig.
Jan Švancara developed this simple jig for easier and more consistent honing and sharpening (first picture on the right), and the even more enhanced jig (2d picture on the right). The 2d picture also shows the laser he uses for alignment. (I love how Jan used Erector Set toys to build jigs.)
Tony Whitfield (AKA, "Y-Not") posted an additional recommendation regarding the knife sharpening platform, in that he recommended putting a drop of mineral oil on the knife blade and the platform. This was posted in 2018 on the Tormek Forum as a way to reduce scratches on the edge of the blade.
Herman Trivilino's video below shows the use of a platform jig. His looks a little different, as he has affixed a piece of steel to the TormekSVX-150 Scissors Jig (my variation of this is a piece of very hard plastic attached to the TormekSVD-110 Tool Rest). In any case, the results are the same.
Note: with the advent of the pin pivot jig, the platform jig is used far less often.
Rotary Knife Jig - Drawing Rotary Knife Jig - Side View Rotary Knife Jig - Parts Exploded
I made this set of add-on parts for the Tormek SVD-185 / SVD-186 Jig so I could sharpen rotary knives for my wife.
The pieces added are
the hand wheel,
the bolt to hold it in place, and
the fender washers.
The videos below show the modified jig in use. The first video is using the TormekSG-250 wheel to sharpen the blade, and the second video is using the TormekSJ-250 wheel to hone it.
Dr. Vadim Kraichuk at KnifeGrinders has developed an application for Windows, Mac, and Android software to set grinding angles on TormekT-4, T-7, T-8 and SuperGrind 2000 standard position (grinding into the wheel), other similar brands (Scheppach, Jet, Record etc), using jigs.
Rick Krung and Dr. Vadim Kraichuk (at KnifeGrinders) devised this jig for use on diamond grindstones. It is a great tool for production sharpening shops.
Photos, detailed descriptions, and production drawings are on the KnifeGrinders web site.
Remember : The goal of sharpening is to produce sharp tools, and these tools can injure you if mishandled. Safety measures should be followed to protect yourself and those in your shop. Be sure to read and follow all instructions from the manufacturer, and and utilize proper safety equipment. Never consume alcohol or anything that could impair your judgement before sharpening tools, or using sharp tools.
Comments can be sent via eMail to me at SharpeningHandbook@Gmail.com.
