SHAPING

AND SHARPENING
WOODTURNING TOOLS
ON YOUR
BENCH GRINDER
© Tormek AB 2016
All rights reserved.

BGM-10E
Edition 4.2

Tormek AB
Torphyttevägen 40
SE-711 34 Lindesberg
Sweden

9615-1603
WITH THE BENCH GRINDER MOUNTING SET BGM-100 you can
now use the Tormek Jigs for woodturning tools and the patented
Turning Tool Setter TTS‑100 also on your bench grinder!

These instructions are exclusively for HSS turning tools, since dry
grinding at high speed is not suitable for ordinary carbon steel tools
due to the risk of overheating and its aggressive steel removal.

The Tormek method makes a distinction between shaping and sharp-

ening. Once you have created the desired shape on the tool, it is an
easy task to re-sharpen the tool exactly to the same shape every time.

After the shaping and sharpening you can go one or two steps
further towards achieving the finest edge by finishing on a Tormek
water cooled grinder. This is described in the handbook Sharpening
Woodturning Tools the Tormek Way, which comes with the TNT-300
Woodturner’s Instruction Box.

The handbook Water Cooled Grinding and Sharpening of Edge Tools

covers how to sharpen all your edge tools and the whole Tormek
system.

In the preparation of this handbook and the selection of the optimal

shapes and edge angles, professional woodturners and woodturning
educational centres around the world have been of great help.
We would like to thank you all for your experienced advice.

Good luck with your sharpening!

Torgny Jansson
and the Tormek team
Contents

Mounting the BGM-100 Set on Your Grinder...................................... 6

About Bench Grinders......................................................................... 9
Safety................................................................................................ 10
Tormek Accessories for Your Bench Grinder.................................... 12
Turning Tool Setter TTS-100.............................................................. 13
Gouge Jig SVD-186 (SVD-185)......................................................... 16
Multi Jig SVS-50................................................................................ 18
Tool Rest SVD-110............................................................................ 20
Sharpening Bowl and Spindle Gouges............................................. 21
Sharpening Exchangeable Cutters.................................................... 27
Sharpening Skew Chisels.................................................................. 29
Sharpening Roughing Gouges.......................................................... 32
Parting, Beading and Bedan Tools.................................................... 33
Sharpening Scrapers......................................................................... 34
Sharpening Thin and Flat Parting Tools............................................ 36
Sharpening Elliptical Spindle Tools................................................... 36
Mounting the BGM-100 Set on Your Grinder
The Bench Grinder Mounting Set BGM-100 can be mounted on grinders with wheel
diameters from 150 mm (6") to 250 mm (10"). You can either mount the grinder and
the BGM‑100 on a self made wooden platform or you can mount the grinder and the
BGM‑100 directly on the bench.

You can mount the BGM-100 set on the left or on the right side of the grinder whichever
suits you best. On some grinders, you need to remove the tool rest which comes with the
machine, in order to mount the Tormek Universal Support. You can also mount a set on
both sides, which gives you a versatile sharpening station.

Left side mount Right side mount

Mount
on both
sides

Mounting on a Wolverine v-arm

If you already have a Wolverine v-arm mounted by your grinder, you can complement it
with the Tormek OWC-1 Converter and adapt the Tormek Bench Grinder Mounting Kit
BGM‑100 directly to the v-arm.

Tormek OWC-1 Converter

The Tormek OWC-1 Converter is sold separately, ask your dealer for more information.
(Wolverine is a product manufactured by OneWay Manufacturing. Tormek is not affiliated with OneWay
in any way. The Wolverine and OneWay trademarks are the property of their respective owners.)

6
 Contents: Bench Grinder Mounting Set BGM-100
• Universal Support with Micro Adjust 1 pc
• Base for the Universal Support 1 pc
• Height adjustable block 56–89 mm (23/16–3½") 1 set
• Rubber feet 4 pcs
• BGM-10 Handbook 1 pc
• Profile Labels 1 set
• Bolt M6×12 with nut and washer 4 pcs
• Bolt M5×16 with nut and washer 4 pcs
• Bolt M6×40 with nut and washer 4 pcs

Making the platform

Use wood or plywood with a minimum thickness of 20 mm (¾"). The dimensions depend
upon your grinder, see sketches below.

Dimensions Length of platform

Grinder size a b This depends on your grinder and if you use
150 mm (6") 200 mm (8") 10 mm (3/8") one or two BGM-100 sets. The recommended
lengths on the left and on the right side differ
200 mm (8") 200 mm (8") 35 mm (13/8")
due to the asymmetrical Gouge Jig SVD-186.
250 mm (10") 250 mm (10") 60 mm (23/8")
Height of block
The optimal height of the block depends
on the design of your grinder. The best way
to make sure the jigs and tools don’t hit
the guards on your machine is by using the
Turning Tool Setter TTS-100 when setting the
height. If your grinder needs a block higher
than 89 mm (3½") place the adjustable block
on a piece of wood.

7
 M5×16

M6×40 M6×12

Bolt the block to

the platform.

Bolt the base for the

Universal Support to
the block.

Mount the grinder with suitable bolts,

which fit the holes in the grinder. Use
washers under the bolt heads and nuts.

Mount the rubber feet and you will get

a steady platform with less vibration.

8
About Bench Grinders
Using the right type of grinding wheel
Not all grinding wheels are suitable for the precision sharpening of edge tools. The stand-
ard wheels mounted on the grinder are often too hard and become glazed easily, which
reduces steel removal and causes overheating of the tool. Use an aluminium oxide wheel
with the right binding – not too hard to avoid glazing and not too soft to avoid grooves.

Wheel surface
The wheel surface must be kept fresh and clean. Worn grains must wear away so that
new ones come into play. If not, the surface becomes glazed and the grains will rub
instead of cutting, which will increase the friction and heat development. Use a diamond
wheel dresser to maintain the surface in a good shape and condition.

Influence of heat on HSS steel

HSS steel can stand a much higher temperature than carbon steel without decreasing the
hardness. However, at the very tip of the edge which is very thin, the temperature can easily
rise to a level which will affect the hardness. Therefore grind cautiously at the tip of the
edge and do not allow it to become blue. Overheating HSS steel can cause a decrease
in the hardness by as much as 4 HRC, which shortens the life of the edge. If you cool it
in water, do not cool abruptly from a high temperature, since this can cause micro cracks
invisible to the naked eye.

Grinding dust
The fine dust from the grinding wheel and steel particles from the tool can be a health
hazard. It is best to use a dust extraction system, so the dust does not pollute the air.
You must use a separate extraction system and not the same system as for your wood
dust, since a spark could light a fire in the inflammable fine dust.

9
Safety
A bench grinder can be dangerous if not handled with knowledge and respect. Follow the
safety instructions, which come with your machine. Pay special attention to the following
operational advice.

• Wear eye protection.

• Do not work near dry shavings or wood dust, since a spark

can light a fire.

• Secure the platform on your bench to ensure that the grinder

does not move during operation. Use screws or a clamp.

• Use only the Tormek accessories shown in this presentation on

your bench grinder. Follow this instruction manual.

• Check that all setting screws and knobs are properly tightened
before commencing work.

• Do not hold your hand or fingers close to the wheel to avoid

the risk that they might slip and touch the wheel.

• Do not press the tool harder against the wheel than that which
enables you to keep full control of the grinding operation.

• Always keep a part of the tool on the wheel during grinding

and never let it slip wholly outside the wheel.

Using the Multi Jig SVS-50

Always let the jig rest on the Universal Support steadily before you carefully lower the tip
of the tool to touch the wheel. Maintain pressure all the time towards the Universal Support.

10
Using the Tool Rest SVD-110
The platform must always be mounted so the surface points to or above the centre of the
wheel. The distance between the platform and the wheel must not exceed 2 mm (3/32").

Using the Universal Support as tool rest

The distance between the Universal Support and the wheel must not exceed 2 mm (3/32").

11
Tormek Accessories for Your Bench Grinder

Turning Tool Setter TTS-100

For setting the Gouge Jig SVD-186
and the Multi Jig SVS-50.

Gouge Jig SVD-186

For bowl gouges, spindle gouges
and elliptical spindle gouges.
Also for cutter/scraper tips.

Multi Jig SVS-50

For skews with a straight or curved
edge, roughing gouges, diamond
section parting tools, beading tools
and bedan tools.

Tool Rest SVD-110

For scrapers, thin and flat parting tools,
hollowing tools and large cutters.

12
Turning Tool Setter TTS-100
No matter if you sharpen on a bench grinder or on a grindstone, the most difficult part in
sharpening woodturning tools is to replicate the shape and the edge angle. Tormek have
solved this problem by developing a key to instant and exact sharpening – the Turning
Tool Setter.

This setting device takes the guesswork out of sharpening. There is no longer any need
for trial and error to get the best edge shape for each turning operation. You just set the
jig and get the shape you have selected. Thanks to the patented design it works irre-
spectively of the stone diameter. You can go from a 150 mm (6") wheel to a 250 mm (10")
grindstone and achieve the same shape. The Setter is designed to work in conjunction
with the Gouge Jig SVD-186 and the Multi Jig SVS-50.

What determines the shape?

Three factors determine the shape of a gouge or a skew. By repeating them at each
shaping or sharpening you will get an exact replication of the shape every time.

JIG SETTING = JS PROTRUSION = P DISTANCE TO STONE

13
Shaping and sharpening
The Tormek method makes a distinction between the shaping and sharpening (or re-
sharpening) of a tool. When shaping you remove steel to achieve the shape and edge
angle you want. When sharpening you just touch up an existing shape to renew the sharp-
ness. Generally you often say grinding for both shaping and sharpening.

If you have a Tormek machine, you can create the initial shape on your bench grinder and
finish the sharpening on your Tormek water cooled grindstone. You get the best of two
worlds; the fast steel removal from your high speed bench grinder and the fine surface
from your fine water cooled grindstone and the leather honing wheel. A finer edge gives
the wood a smoother finish with less need for sanding. A finer edge also cuts easier than a
rough edge and stays sharp longer before it needs re-sharpening.

Selected shapes and edge angles

There are quite a few manufacturers of turning tools and the shapes and edge angles vary
considerably. For example there are factory made skew chisels with skew angles from 15°
to 30° and the edge angles vary from 25° to 40°. Factory made bowl gouges have edge
angles from 30° to 60°. The wide range of shapes is the reason why Tormek up until now,
has not made recommendations for setting the shape and edge angle. In the past, we
have offered the technique and left each turner to find his or her own geometry.

However, after having been in contact with many turners around the world, we now see
the need for an aid to the quick setting of the jig and also for advice about some suitable
shapes and edge angles. This newly developed Tormek Turning Tool Setter TTS-100 offers
both. The geometries, i.e. the shape and edge angle have been selected after consulting
experienced turners and should satisfy most needs.

Which shape should I use?

The Turning Tool Setter is delivered with a Selection Chart (pages 21 and 29) where
you can see which shape is suitable for your current type of turning. These geometries
are recommended by experienced woodturners and recognized woodturning training
workshops around the world.

Of course you can also sharpen with geometries other than the shapes provided by the
TTS-100 Setter. If you have an existing edge geometry you can use the Marker Method or
the Spacer Block Method for setting the edge angle at the re-sharpening (page 26).

14
 Metal contact discs

Outer hole Inner hole

Side 1
There are two holes for the Universal Support, A and B.
The type of tool and profile you require decide which hole to use.

Storage Magnet

Edge angle measuring grooves

Storage
Magnet
Side 2
This side has stops for the recommended protrusions of the tool in the jig (P).

15
Gouge Jig SVD-186 (SVD-185)

The jig works on the Universal Support. The edge angle is set by moving
the support back and forth. The Micro Adjust facilitates a precise setting.

SVD-186 is a further development of SVD-185.

SVD-186 now fits up to 36 (13/8") mm wide tools (2), has an improved disc (1) and an
easy and precise click setting (3).

The lower sleeve (4) has been shortened in order to work better with the Tormek T-3
and T-4.

16
 The tool holder can be set in
any position from 0 to 6.

Parts
The jig comprises a tool holder (1) which runs in a sleeve (2). The tool is aligned with a disc
(4) and tightened with a knob screw (5). There is a washer (6) for wide gouges. The stop
ring (7) can be set for a convex bevel with a screw (8). The setting can be noted on a spe-
cial profile label (10), which is attached to the ferrule. A special pen which works on these
labels, is included (11). For cutter/scraper tips there is a shaft (12) with a mounting screw
(13) and a 2,5 mm allen key (14).

17
Multi Jig SVS-50

The jig works on the Universal Support. The edge angle is set by moving
the support back and forth. The Micro Adjust facilitates a precise setting.

The seat can be set

straight or to any skew
angle from 0° to 45°.

Parts
This patented jig consists of a housing (1) and two interchangeable seats – one closed,
(2) and one open, (3). The seats can swivel and be locked with the screw (6) at any skew
angle between 0° and 45°. Skew chisels should have symmetrical bevels on both sides.
With this jig you mount the tool only once for grinding both the bevels. By turning the jig
upside down you can grind both of the bevels symmetrically.

18
Closed seat
The closed seat has been developed for the precision sharpening of turning skew chisels
with an oval or square section and with curved or straight edges. Since the chisel is
mounted in the centre of the seat, the bevels are ground to exactly the same shape.
The turning skew chisel is mounted with a side screw (4). Max tool width 35 mm (13/8").

The closed seat (2) is for skew

chisels. The tool is fixed with
the side screw (4). The top
screw (5) is not used.

Open seat
The open seat, where the tool is fixed with a top screw (5), is used for tools which have
the edge ground square across the shank, such as parting tools with a diamond section,
bedan tools and roughing gouges. Both seats are mounted with a bottom screw (6), which
also locks the chosen skew angle. A scale on each seat shows the skew angle.

The open seat is designed for tools which have the edge square across the shank.
The tool is fixed with the top screw in the housing (5).

19
Tool Rest SVD-110

The Tool Rest works on the Universal Support. The edge angle is set by rotating the Tool
Rest on the support. It has a generous surface, 90×110 mm (3½"×4¼"), which permits a
safe and steady positioning of the tool towards the stone.

The bore is made with a special wedge shape, which increases the locking force by as
much as 250 %. You can lock the Tool Rest instantly at the chosen angle. This unique
design is patented by Tormek.

With the patented design, only the

sides of the tapered bore touch
the round bar – not the bottom.
This means that the locking action
increases by as much as 250 %!

20
Sharpening Bowl and Spindle Gouges

These are ground with the Gouge Jig SVD-186. Bowl and spindle gouges can have an
unlimited number of shapes. The variables are the edge angle (α) and the lengths of the
wings (l). The third factor is how the wings are shaped. They can be straight or convex.

Edge angle Length of wings Shapes of the wings

The chart below shows suitable shapes, which have been recommended by experienced
woodturners and recognized woodturning workshops. Decide which shape you want.
Once you have created the desired shape on the tool, it is an easy task to re-sharpen
it to exactly the same shape every time.

Bowl gouges
Standard profile.
1 α=45° Only lightly swept back wings.
JS 2 For turners of all skill levels.
P 65
Hole A Irish profile. Swept back wings.
2 α=45° Swing the tool 180° from side
to side.

JS 2 With long swept back wings.

3 α=40° P 75 Somewhat aggressive.
Hole A For professional level turners.

JS 4
The larger edge angle is beneficial
4 α=55° P 65
when turning deep bowls.
Hole A

JS 6
“Ellsworth” shape.
5 α=60° P 75
Wings are pronounced convex.
Hole A

Spindle gouges
JS 2 For tight spots, detail work and
1 α=30° P 55 finest finish.
Hole B For professional level turners.

JS 2
Standard profile.
2 α=45° P 65
For turners of all skill levels.
Hole A

Skews
Straight edges
JS 20° For tight spots, detail work and
1 P 65 finest finish.
α=30° Flat Oval Hole B For professional level turners. 21

Straight edges
 Shaping

Set the Jig, JS. Mount the tool with Set the Universal Support.
the ­protrusion P. Select hole A or B.

Select a shape from the selection chart and make the three settings which will give you
that shape. Grind with a light pressure so that you do not overheat the steel. Use the
whole width of the wheel to minimize grooving and to prolong the wheel life. Check your
grinding frequently to ensure that the gouge is ground evenly and acquires the shape you
want. Grind more on the spots where needed. If you need to change the profile consider-
ably, grind one side at a time. This is easier than continuously swinging the tool back and
forth from left to right, and which could cause you to overgrind the centre of the edge.

Shape one side at a time and use the whole width of the wheel.
Finish with a full swing over the entire bevel.

Note  Stick to the shape you have selected and do not switch from one
shape to another. Then you will get the full benefit of the Tormek TTS-100
Setter, since you can instantly replicate exactly the same shape every time.
Should you need a different shape, we suggest that you buy another tool
and grind it to your alternative shape. This way of working will give you more
time for turning and fewer interruptions for shaping and sharpening.

Shape and length of the wings

The three settings do not automatically give you the shape you have selected. Your hands
and eyes decide the final shape within the limits of the three settings. You can acquire
different lengths on the wings by altering the width of your swing from side to side. A com-
mon problem is that the tip can be too pronounced. This is caused by grinding too much
on the wings. The cure is to grind more on the tip until you achieve the right shape.

22
Length of the wings

The width of the jig swing

determines the length of
the wings.

Full swing 180° –

Longer wings

Limited swing 90° –

Shorter wings

Shape of the wings

Grind so the wings become
symmetrical and slightly convex
or straight. They must never be
concave.

Convex. Concave. Not suitable!

Note  You decide how much grinding takes place on any one spot and
hence the final shape. If the wings tend to be concave, then grind more on
the centre of the edge.

Check that the protrusion has not decreased during the

shaping caused by that steel has been ground away
from the tip. If so, re-position the tool to the correct
protrusion and then make the final shaping. By doing
so, you will ensure that you exactly replicate the edge
geometry at future sharpenings.

Note the three settings on the Profile Label and put it on

the ferrule. Now you have the recipe of the shape and
you can exactly replicate it at each future re-sharpenings.

23
Rounding off the heel
You can round off the heel of the bevel by moving the Universal
Support towards the grinding wheel. Lock it properly.

Important  Do not use the built in feature for moving the stop ring!
This is used only for the Tormek water cooled grinder, where the stone
rotates away from the edge.

Re-sharpening
Follow the settings that you have noted on the Profile Label and you will obtain exactly
the same shape every time, even when the stone wears and decreases in diameter.

Set the jig with the same Mount the tool with the Set the Universal Support
jig setting, JS. same protrusion, P. using the same hole, A or B.

Honing
If you don’t do the final sharpening on a Tormek water cooled grinder, then remove the
burr and refine the edge with a honing stone. Hone the flute with a slip stone. A finer edge
cuts more cleanly, leaves a finer surface on the wood and stays sharp longer.

24
Other shapes
You can of course shape your gouge to a different geometry from those provided with the
TTS-100 Setter. This graph shows examples of shapes which you can achieve on a bowl
gouge at various jig settings and at various edge angles. The protrusion of the tool in the
jig P is 65 mm. The gouge is swung fully 180° from side to side. The edge angles are
approximate.

For these geometries you use the Marker Method or the Spacer Block Method at the re-
sharpening. For the TTS-100 shapes JS2/45° and JS4/55° you use the TTS-100 method.

Edge angle Edge angle Edge angle Edge angle

Jig Setting
35° 45° 55° 75°

JS 0

JS 1

*
JS 2

JS 3

*
JS 4

JS 5

JS 6

*The shapes JS2/45° and JS4/55° can be obtained with the TTS-100 Setter.

25
Replicating a non TTS-100 shape
For shapes different from those obtained with the TTS-100 setter, you can use one of
these methods to set the Universal Support and replicate the edge angle. Note the jig
setting JS and the protrusion P on the profile label.

1. The Marker Method

Colour the bevel with a marker. Turn the wheel by hand and adjust the Universal Support
until the colouring is removed from the tip to the heel.

2. The Spacer Block Method

This method requires a constant stone diameter to give an exact replication. Place a rectangular
wooden block close to the wheel and mark the contour. Draw a parallel line and cut away the surplus
wood. Now you have a wooden spacer, which lets you copy the setting of the Universal Support.

Note  The Marker Method is always exact, but is not as fast as the Spacer
Block Method. The Spacer Block Method is exact only as long as the wheel
diameter remains constant.

26
Sharpening Exchangeable Cutters

These are sharpened in the SVD-186 jig. There are various

types and sizes of exchangeable cutters for hollowing and
scraping. The holes vary from 4–8 mm (5/32–5/16"), but due
to a shoulder on the shaft they can all be mounted with the
same screw. The cutters can be sharpened to their existing
shape or to a new shape.

Mounting the jig

Loosen and remove the screw Insert the shaft (12) into the Mount the screw (8). Lock the
(8) and the tool holder (1). sleeve (2). Note: Position the shaft with the Allen key (9)
sleeve according to the picture! when tightening.

Mounting the cutter

Cutters with 4 mm (5/32") holes Cutters with 5 and 6 mm Cutters with 8 mm (5/16") holes
are centered by the M4 screw. (3/16"–¼") holes are centered on are centered on the second
the first shoulder on the shaft. shoulder on the shaft.

Use the Allen key (14), which

comes with the jig.

27
 Setting the edge angle

Use the Marker Method for the first sharpening. Set the Universal Support so that the grinding
wheel touches the entire width of the bevel whilst rotating it by hand. At the correct setting,
the wheel removes the colouring along the whole width of the bevel.

Sharpening

Rotate the jig during the sharpening so you achieve an even

grinding around the whole circumference. Slide the jig sideways
on the Universal Support so the grinding wheel wears evenly.
Use a light pressure for the best result.

28
Sharpening
Bowl gouges Skew Chisels
Standard profile.
1 α=45° Only lightly swept back wings.
JS 2 For turners of all skill levels.
P 65
Hole A Irish profile. Swept back wings.
2 α=45° Swing the tool 180° from side
These are sharpened in the Multi Jig SVS-50 withto the
side.closed seat. There are many shapes
of skews since the section, skew angle
JS and 2 edge angle
With longcan allback
swept vary.wings.
A fourth dimension
3 be
can α=40°
added if you shape the edge P 75
to a convexSomewhat
curve. aggressive.
Hole A For professional level turners.

JS 4
The larger edge angle is beneficial
4 α=55° P 65
when turning deep bowls.
Hole A

JS 6
“Ellsworth” shape.
5 α=60° P 75
Wings are pronounced convex.
Hole A

Section Skew angle Edge angle Edge shape

Spindle gouges
JS 2 For tight spots, detail work and
1 α=30° P 55 finest finish.
The chart below shows suitable shapes,
Holewhich
B have been recommended
For professional level turners. by experienced
woodturners and recognized woodturning workshops. Decide which shape you want.
JS 2
Once you have created the desired shape
2 α=45° P on theStandard
65
profi
tool, it is anle.easy task to re-sharpen
For turners of all skill levels.
Hole
it to exactly the same shape every time. A

Skews
Straight edges
JS 20° For tight spots, detail work and
1 P 65 finest finish.
α=30° Flat Oval Hole B For professional level turners.

Straight edges
JS 20° For broad application.
2 P 55 Easier to control than
α=45° Flat Oval Hole B a 30° edge angle.

Radius edges
JS 30° For tight spots, detail work and
3 P 75 finest finish.
α=30° Flat Oval Hole B For professional level turners.

Radius edges
JS 30° For broad application.
4 P 65 Easier to control than
α=45° Flat Oval Hole B a 30° edge angle.

29
 Shaping

Select a shape from the selec- Mount the tool with Set the Universal Support.
tion chart. Then set the jig, JS. the ­protrusion, P. Use hole B.

Check that the tool is correctly If your skew has sharp corners,
aligned so that the shape will you should round them off be-
be exactly replicated when fore mounting the tool. This will
­re-sharpening. help ensure a correct alignment.

Grind with a light pressure so

you do not overheat the steel.

Check that the protrusion has not decreased during the

shaping. If so, re-position the tool to the correct protru-
sion and then make the final shaping. By doing so, you
will ensure that you exactly replicate the edge geometry
in the future.

30
Oval section
Thanks to the patented design of the SVS-50 jig it
is just as easy to shape an oval skew as an ordinary
skew with a rectangular section. The wide base of
the seat ensures an accurate alignment and a steady
running on the Universal Support.

Curved edge
You can shape the edge so it becomes convex by pivoting the jig on its bevelled corner, A.
To achieve a suitable curve you set the jig with a larger skew angle. For a skew with a 20°
skew angle, you set the jig on JS=30°. Now grind only the low point so the curve meets
the long point as a tangent.

Set the jig on 30°. Pivot the jig on the bevelled corner A. Grind the low point only.
The seat must all the time rest on the Universal Support.

Note the three settings on the Profile Label and put

it on the ferrule. Now you have the recipe for the
shape and you can exactly replicate it at each future
re-sharpenings.

Re-sharpening
Make the three settings noted on the Profile Label carefully and you will obtain exactly
the same shape every time even when the stone wears and decreases in diameter.

Honing
If you not do the final sharpening on a Tormek water cooled grinder, then remove the
burr and refine the edge with a honing stone. Hone the flute with a slip stone. A finer
edge cuts more cleanly, leaves a finer surface on the wood and stays sharp longer.

Other shapes
You can of course shape your skew to a geometry different from those provided with the
TTS-100 setter. Set the jig to the existing skew angle or to a new angle of your choice.
(from 0° to 45°). Note the skew angle JS and the protrusion P on the profile label so you
can replicate the shape. To set the Universal Support for replicating the edge angle, you
use either the Marker Method or the Spacer Block Method. This is explained for gouges
on page 26.

31
Sharpening Roughing Gouges
The Multi Jig SVS-50 with the open seat is used

Settings

Lock the seat with the bottom Mount the gouge protruding Set the edge angle by
screw (6) in the straight position (P) 75 mm and lock it with adjusting the Universal
(0°). The seat should touch the the top screw (5). Support. Use the Marker
stop (7). Method.

When re-sharpening an existing edge angle, use the Marker Method

or the Spacer Block Method (page 26).

Sharpening

Roll the gouge on the Universal Ensure that the entire flange Grind until you can
Support. Slide the jig sideways of the jig is in contact with feel the burr along
so that the wheel wears evenly. the Universal Support. the entire edge.

Honing
If you don’t do the final sharpening on a Tormek water cooled grinder, then remove the
burr and refine the edge with a honing stone. Hone the flute with a slip stone. A finer
edge cuts more cleanly, leaves a finer surface on the wood and stays sharp longer.

32
Parting, Beading and Bedan Tools
The Multi Jig SVS-50 with the open seat is used

Settings

Lock the seat with the bottom Mount the tool protruding Set the edge angle by adjusting
screw (6) in the straight position (P) 65 mm (2¾") and lock the Universal Support.
(0°). The seat should touch the it with the top screw (5).
stop (7).

When re-sharpening an existing edge angle, use the Marker Method

or the Spacer Block Method (page 26).

Sharpening

Hold the tool vertically on Ensure that the entire flange When the first side is ground
the Universal Support. of the jig is in contact with then turn the tool around 180°
the Universal Support and grind the other side.

33
Sharpening Scrapers
These are sharpened with the Tool Rest SVD-110. Scrapers are available in different
shapes. You can also put a new shape on your scraper according to your own choice.
They usually come from the manufacturers with an edge angle between 70° and 80°.
Some turners prefer a smaller edge angle 65° or even down to 45 °.

The generous surface gives For shorter tools you can trim
you a good support. the surface to suit the tool.

When sharpening there will be a build up of metal on top of the edge which is the burr.
Unlike other turning tools the burr on scrapers is usually kept and not honed away. As
an alternative you can remove the burr and instead create a burr like “micro hook” by
burnishing (page 35).

The burr or micro hook causes the tool to cut the wood instead of scraping it as it would
do without the burr.

The burr consists of a sintered (almost melted) mixture of steel waste and abrasives from
the grinding wheel as well as solid steel which has been pushed upwards by the grind-
ing wheel. The sintered mixture is not durable and will therefore decrease and wear away
during the turning. How fast it wears depends on how heavy it is, which depends on how
hard you have pushed the tool during the grinding. You need to regrind frequently to make
new burrs.

Due to the way the burr is created, its quality, strength and life changes from one sharpen-
ing to another and the way it cuts the wood is not always predictable. The size of the edge
angle also influences the shape of the burr and the way it works.

34
Burnishing the edge
There is an alternative method to make a scraper work as
a cutting tool. If you press with a hard steel rod towards Micro-hook
the bevel at an angle (ε) of approx. 5°, the tip will be bent
upwards creating a micro-hook. The pressure from the
rod compresses the steel, smoothes the small scratches
left by the grindstone and makes the hook shiny.

The result is an even, sharp and durable micro-hook or

Burnishing the edge. The
cutting edge. The method is called burnishing and gives
tip of the edge is pressed
you a consistent and more durable hook than a burr. upwards forming a small
Before using the burnishing method, you should grind the edge hook. (Here enlarged
bevel as evenly and finely as possible and hone the bevel for clarity)
as well as the top face to get a sharper and more durable
cutting edge.

There are special burnishing tools available. You can also do the burnishing by using a
12 mm (½") bowl gouge. Clamp the scraper in your workbench vice so you can hold the
burnishing tool steadily with both hands.

You must not burnish too heavily so that the hook is bent backwards. The tip of the hook
must point upwards to work. You should also adjust the pressure according to the edge
angle. A scraper with a large edge angle (70–80°) requires a larger pressure than one with
a smaller edge angle.

Clamp the scraper in your workbench and support your left hand on the bench. Use a light
pressure. Press the gouge on the bevel at an angle (ε) of approx. 5°. The hook is exaggerated
for clarity. You will notice how the burnishing has compressed the tip of the edge to a smooth
and shiny surface.

The function of the scraper after burnishing depends on how large a hook you put on
the edge. The size and shape of the hook depends on the edge angle of the scraper,
the burnishing angle (ε) and how hard you press the burnishing tool.

35
Sharpening Thin and Flat Parting Tools
These are sharpened with the Tool Rest SVD-110

Mark the centre of the wheel. Align and lock the Tool Rest so its surface points to the centre
of the wheel. Use the Marker Method to ensure that you have the correct alignment before
you commence grinding.

Sharpening Elliptical Spindle Tools

These are sharpened in the Gouge Jig SVD-186

On a common spindle tool, i.e. the Sorby Spindle Master, set the jig on No 1. Mount the tool with
75 mm (3") protrusion. Set the edge angle with the Marker Method (page 26).

36
 With the mounting set BGM-100 you can now use
the Tormek Jigs for woodturning tools (SVD-186,
SVS-50, SVD-110 ) and the patented Turning Tool
Setter TTS-100 also on your bench grinder!

This handbook shows you in detail how to shape

Gouge Jig SVD-186
and re-sharpen all your woodturning tools: bowl
gouges, spindle gouges, skews, scrapers and
parting tools. You also get instructions on how
to build the wooden platform to suit your grinder.

The Tormek method makes a distinction between

shaping and sharpening. Once you have created
Multi Jig SVS-50
the desired shape on the tool, the Turning Tool
Setter TTS-100 makes it an easy task to re-sharpen
the tool to exactly the same shape. This patented
setting device takes the guesswork out of sharp-
ening. There is no longer any need for trial and
error to get the best edge shape for each turning
operation. You just set the jig and get the shape
Tool Rest SVD-110
you have selected. Thanks to the design it works
irrespectively of the stone diameter.

This instruction is exclusively for HSS turning tools,

since dry grinding at high speed is not suitable
for ordinary carbon steel tools due to the risk of
overheating and the aggressive steel removal.
Turning Tool Setter TTS-100