Oh my, a dilemma of the first order. To buy, or not to buy, it's a devil of a question.. First let me share my Work Sharp 2000 and the case I made to hold it and all the glass plates, abrasives, etc. It has a jig to hold it at the correct angle, and I was able with it to resurect a long dead 3/4 inch chisel that had been royally abused. It's a cute thing, isn't it. I left the dust on it to communicate how much it gets used.
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However, after I sharpened a few older chisels, I found that after a basic sharpening, flattening the back, that I just don't ever use it anymore. It wasn't cheap, nor were the accessories. And believe me, I insist that my high end chisels be shave-your-arm-fuzz sharp at all times. What you might need is a pry bar of some sort to reach for instead of a chisel. That and to remember to put your sharp chisels away so they don't rust, and safe from grabbing instead of the pry bar.
So compared to the ease of using various grits of sandpaper on a thick glass block, it turns out my WorkSharp 2000 is now simply holding down a shelf. It's cute red knobs, clever case and all those expensive flat glass disks aren't doing anything. It's been on that shelf long enough so I forgot about the cute red knobs. Used shiny finger nail polish.
To keep a sharpened chisel as keen as I want them, I have a couple of diamond stones and a bit of light lubricant. Before putting it away, I take about 6-10 strokes on the coarser and again on the fine diamond stone, plus a little strop work, and it's so sharp that a carpenter I hired to help me install a double door, borrowed one to carve out a little mortise. His eyes brightened and he blurted out, "Wow, I've never used a chisel this sharp before!"
So, my suggestion is to forget the Tormek, or even a WorkSharp and invest in flat glass, some sandpaper for rough sharpening, and some diamond stones and lube. Use that money to buy a really fine set of chisels, watch the videos on the "Scary Sharp" method of preparing and sharpening them.
I also suggest learning to use a jig to hold the correct angle, and anything from about 25 to 35 degrees will work darn well.
Or buy a machine and watch the dust settle in. Whatever you do, don't let your wife read this because it will almost certainly put the Kybosh on your Tormek. So rather than spend the 500 on it, look for something else that calls to you. Lord knows, one does not have to need something when wanting it will suffice.
If I were there, I take you over to a pub to contemplate your choices.
However, after I sharpened a few older chisels, I found that after a basic sharpening, flattening the back, that I just don't ever use it anymore. It wasn't cheap, nor were the accessories. And believe me, I insist that my high end chisels be shave-your-arm-fuzz sharp at all times. What you might need is a pry bar of some sort to reach for instead of a chisel. That and to remember to put your sharp chisels away so they don't rust, and safe from grabbing instead of the pry bar.
So compared to the ease of using various grits of sandpaper on a thick glass block, it turns out my WorkSharp 2000 is now simply holding down a shelf. It's cute red knobs, clever case and all those expensive flat glass disks aren't doing anything. It's been on that shelf long enough so I forgot about the cute red knobs. Used shiny finger nail polish.
To keep a sharpened chisel as keen as I want them, I have a couple of diamond stones and a bit of light lubricant. Before putting it away, I take about 6-10 strokes on the coarser and again on the fine diamond stone, plus a little strop work, and it's so sharp that a carpenter I hired to help me install a double door, borrowed one to carve out a little mortise. His eyes brightened and he blurted out, "Wow, I've never used a chisel this sharp before!"
So, my suggestion is to forget the Tormek, or even a WorkSharp and invest in flat glass, some sandpaper for rough sharpening, and some diamond stones and lube. Use that money to buy a really fine set of chisels, watch the videos on the "Scary Sharp" method of preparing and sharpening them.
I also suggest learning to use a jig to hold the correct angle, and anything from about 25 to 35 degrees will work darn well.
Or buy a machine and watch the dust settle in. Whatever you do, don't let your wife read this because it will almost certainly put the Kybosh on your Tormek. So rather than spend the 500 on it, look for something else that calls to you. Lord knows, one does not have to need something when wanting it will suffice.
If I were there, I take you over to a pub to contemplate your choices.
