The Triton "sharpener"

[derekcohen]

I could get interested in a wet grinder if it is good (accurate, reliable) at a decent price. I like the idea of hollow grinding to the edge of a blade, and dry grinding this way is frought with issues of de-tempering the steel.

So Triton have released one ... and I have questions ..

At first look the price is decent. But ...

The Triton "sharpener" (I use that term loosely since it is a wet grinder not a sharpener - a 1000 edge demands further honing.) is only a 8" wheel, which is the same size as the smaller Tormek. The larger, standard Tormek has a 10" wheel.

The size of the wheel is important (8" is fine) because this will create less of a hollow than a smaller wheel (I currently use a 6" high speed grinder ... with wheels that are approaching 5").

These "Tritons" look to be re-badged Scheppachs Tiger 2000.

Here are the stats for Triton: http://www.triton.com.au/product.php?id=37

http://www.triton.com.au/images/145.jpg

And here are the stats for Sheppach: http://www.toolcenter.com/tiger2000.html

http://www.toolcenter.com/mm5/graphics/00000001/ZoomTiGer2000.jpg

Carba-tec (http://www.carbatec.com.au/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=270_360_2010_2030_2060) sell the Scheppach for $500. Triton sell theirs for $200. How can this be?! Are there shortcuts in manufacture? Etc.

So, whom here has used either or both? How does it compare to XYZ, and how well made is (are) the machine(s)?

Regards from Perth

Derek

[K_S]

Another question - is it compatible with Tormek and Jet jigs/accessories

[markharrison]

Well if it really is a clone or rebadged Sheppach they advertise themselves as being able to use Tormek jigs.

[hansp77]

I can only assume you would have seen this thread going recently
http://www.woodworkforums.ubeaut.com.au/showthread.php?t=49658
if not, there it is:wink:
There is discussion, use of, and a few problems and solutions...

apparantly it will take the Tormek Jigs no problem,

Having had the cheap and nasty GMC wet grinder die after a week of use on me, I have been concerned about the Triton one as well (as I am planning to get one)
but seriously, how hard and expensive can it be to make one of these machines? The GMC's problem (or the problem I had with it) was that it is a normal high speed grinder with a plastic reduction gear and large wet wheel hanging off one end. The plastic gear of course simply melted and wore out.
For a dedicated slow speed grinder like the Triton, I can't imagine they would use anything near as shoddy.
It looks like the wheel definately needs dressing, and the arm squaring- but for the price difference, I am happy to have to do that myself.

One thing I have wondered, is if it would be possible to get one of the larger tormek wheels for the Triton (maybe not straight away, but as a replacement). The water-bath looks like it comes off really easily, and would probably be very easy to rig up a deeper one. There looks there is enough of thread left to take a wider wheel, so it would be down to the bore size I suppose.

[Stuart]

It is a Scheppach, without the price tag. No- seriously. It is a great price, and I have no idea how they have done it.

There isn't an actual reduction gear to speak of - it has a shaft directly from the motor engaging on a wheel inside the waterstone (ie closer to the motor than the waterstone)- worth a look - interesting (and looks adjustable as wear occurs)

It will take Scheppach jigs (obviously), and Tormek.

I am not convinced fitting the 10" wheel to it - the motor is probably not up to the larger wheel, and the constantly stalling would be very frustrating.

The waterbath removal and replacement is simplicity - you need to for filling/cleaning/emptying.

The wheel is not as good as the Scheppach from what I can tell - it does a fine job, but does need dressing before first use. Once that is done though, I have been getting excellent results from it. I'd be fascinated if someone can compare the two wheels side-by-side. I'm not concerned with the composition of the wheel, and once dressed so it is parallel to the support arm you are set.

[Caliban]

I've got one of the $39 GMC wet grinders and have flogged it with no sign of plastic gears melting. There is, however a lot of end float on the wheel shaft and the wheel is not exactly what you'd call round, but at the speed it revolves it doesn't matter much, just ride up and down over the humps with the chisel.
What I'm trying, in a circumlocutious way, to say is that it is Ok. So I see no reason why their $200 copy of the Sheppach wouldn't also be OK.

[woodwork wally]

I 2 have a cheapy GMC wet grinder set up with a J.W.C. jig and using a couple of washer I have taken side play out of the shaft and using play dough to set up and tighten shaft nut and then a light true up with a diamond and I cant bitch at all . I have given it a hiding as most of my gear was 2nd hand and abused and Ive been turning old cypress-pine which is as hard as hell on tools . I have just made a jig to sharpen gouges and will give this a run as well . Yes the Triton is a rebadge but unless you have money to burn why not use one and spend a little time tuning it . regards to all Wally