TNT-300 instruction box

TNT-300

The instruction box, containing an 80-minute DVD movie, and a manual, shows you how to train and sharpen all your turning tools. The film is directed by Jeff Farris, an American, highly experienced woodturning trainer, and the manual is written by Torgny Jansson, the inventor of the Tormek system.

In the film, Jeff Farris focuses on the most important tools – which are also the most difficult to sharpen – the profiling gouge, the hollowing gouge, and the plane. You can watch him form and hone one of his favorite cutting edges and see how quickly he re-sharpens it once the machine is pointed.

The manual clearly describes the entire system and its various possibilities. Many drawings show you step by step how to shape and sharpen your tools. Reproducibility is the watchword, and the book explains three effective ways to replicate an edge profile as closely as possible.

The manual is also included with the TNT-708 woodturner kit, and can be sold separately. The kit contains everything you need to use Tormek's TNT system.

Questions and answers

Why does a Tormek edge cut better?

Honing on a Tormek wheel and honing on the leather creates a very smooth surface. This surface gives a very fine and particularly effective cutting edge.

Why does an edge sharpened with a Tormek leave a better surface?

Because the Tormek edge is sharper, it cuts through the wood fibers more cleanly and leaves a smoother surface on the wood with less need for sanding.

Why does a Tormek edge last longer?

There are two reasons: A cutting edge obtained with a high speed grinder is coarser than a finer Tormek cutting edge. A finer cutting edge is more resistant to wear. In addition, the Tormek edge can never be overheated and lose its hardness.

How can Tormek claim his system is fast?

The answer is speed of adjustment of devices and exact reproducibility. All you have to do is retouch an existing shape each time. You remove very little metal. The slowness of the Tormek system is a myth. It appeared because the turners did not distinguish between shaping and sharpening. Once your tool is shaped to the profile you want, which we only need to do once, it's quick and easy to touch up the edge and hone it.

How can a Tormek wheel last so long?

Since you only make touch-ups with each sharpening, the wear of the grinding wheel is reduced. Since the cutting edge lasts longer, you sharpen less often on the Tormek. Plus, the large 250mm diameter and generous 50mm width last longer than smaller diameter and thickness wheels.

Do I need to color the bevel to set the angle with the TTS positioner?

No, because the Tormek TTS-100 positioner will automatically reproduce the sharpening angle of the tool.

Should I use a stone after sharpening?

No, the fine grinding wheel and the honing disc give you a superior edge quality without stoning. The flute is gouged and taken up and polished on the profiled LA-120 honing wheel.

Is the Tormek sharpening technique the same as with a bench grinder?

No. You need to press harder on the Tormek grinding wheel. Press with your fingers close to the cutting edge for more efficiency. Your fingers are safe because the wheel spins so slowly at 90 rpm.

How long does it take to shape a gouge and plane?

Shaping takes 10 to 20 minutes depending on the original shape of the tool and the amount of material to be removed. The extra minutes you'll spend on the Tormek are worth it to get the most out of your expensive tool; you will be sure that the cutting edge will not lose hardness due to overheating and that its holding will not be affected. Remember that you will only have to format once.

Can an HSS cutting edge be damaged by bench grinding?

Yes. It is well known that carbon steel is easily damaged when overheated. This is also the case for HSS, but the critical temperature is much higher. The extreme tip of the cutting edge, very fine, can easily reach a temperature which modifies the temper. You can limit the heating by cooling in water, but there is a risk of micro cracks invisible to the naked eye.

Do I need a bench grinder?

Not necessarily. However, if you already have one, it can be useful for roughing out some formatting. Then grind gently so as not to let the end redden. leave the cutting edge and final shape to the Tormek wet grinding wheel. Precautions necessary to avoid overheating slow shaping and reduce the benefit of reel speed.

Would a slow speed grinder (4 pole motor; 1400 rpm) reduce the risk of overheating?

No. This grinder works without water cooling, and the speed is too high even if it is half of that of an ordinary 2-pole motor grinder.