Using Tormek Guides with Shopsmith Grinder

wasatch · Post by **wasatch** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 8:28 am

I have a Tormek Bench Grinder Mount (BGM-100) and I think I've worked out a way to quick-mount it to the saw table using the original two holes in the table and two j bolts so I can setup the SS as a grinder to sharpen my turning tools using the Tormek (or clone) jigs. I have the plastic SS jig to sharpen the tools with the 12" sander but get better results using the Tormek jigs. It will also give me a way to put the original angle on ULU knives as I make them. With the Power Pro I can also turn the grinding wheel toward or away from the blade edge and vary the rotating speed of the grinding wheel, if needed. Has anyone else tried this before? I don't want to use the SS made grinding wheel so I'm also working on my own grinder, a blue 8"x1" wheel complete with a cover/shield which will be quick mounted using a 1 3/4 shaft collar to the SS. This may take some time to complete.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 8:35 am

I don't have the Tormek but this sounds interesting. I'll be watching to see how this thread grows.

I picture or two that shows how the Mark V plays into the setup would be appreciated.

wasatch · Post by **wasatch** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 8:32 am

I built this for proof of concept. It's made from a 6 1/2" x 14" scrap of 3/4" plywood. I'll build a nicer one later. This will work for mounting the BGM-100 to the SS saw table and be able to be removed easily. Once mounted, you have all sorts of adjustment options by extending/retracting the Tormek rest or lowering/raising the saw table. See attached pictures and drawing.

pennview · Post by **pennview** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 9:20 am

Looks like you'll have a fine sharpening setup when completed. I noticed from the video on the Tormek site for the BGM-100 that the height of the jig's bar relative to the axis of the grinding wheel requires precise locating. Have you devised a procedure to locate the Shopsmith saw table height for repeatability?

wasatch · Post by **wasatch** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 1:29 pm

Not yet ,but that should be easy to do before the grinding wheel SPT has been attached using the shaft center on the SS quill. Found out this evening that I can lower the saw table to its lowest setting and easily sharpen lathe tools, setting the rest with the Tormek tool which sets up the distance from the wheel and the distance the chisel protrudes from the Tormek jig, I think its called a TTS-100. I do have to make or adapt a 8" safety cover for the wheel. For a test, I'm running an 80 grit wheel at 1800 rpm and it sharpens the turning gouge quick and nice. Pictures later.