Thread: Which Tormek ?

I have the T7, the major differences that count, are basically two between the T7 and T3.

The T7 has a larger wheel and produces a better (in my opinion) and shallower grind. However if you use your T7 a fair bit, then it's wheel diameter will also decrease and give a slightly different hollow profile.

The bigger wheel is just nice, I tried a T3 then switched to a T7 at a wood turning exhibition quite some years ago, the only place I have seen both units running either side of each other.

The water bath on the T7 has a rare earth magnet on one end, it's purpose in life is to attract the metal filings and keep them from running around the wheel between the wheel and the tool you are sharpening. A simple fix would be to place a rare earth magnet outside in the same position on the smaller unit.

The difference between the two that doesn't really count, is the duty cycle. The T7 has a 100% duty cycle, the T3 doesn't and I don't know what it's duty cycle is, but for home use I cannot imagine it would ever be an issue.

Either will do the job, but for myself I was happy to pick the T7 over the T3 and am still very happy

Mick.

The duty cycle on the T3 is 50% or 30 minutes in an hour. It also has a plastic case and comes with fewer attachments and jigs.

When I started researching sharpening systems, I started out looking at the T3, and after reading quite a few forums decided that I should instead focus in the T7.

In the end I bought a Creusen low speed (1500 rpm) grinder with the Wolverine jigs, and will upgrade the wheels to CBN when the alox that came with the grinder are finished. I believe that the Tru-grind jigs are the better option in Australia, as they're functionally the same as the Wolverine, but cheaper there. There are also the new Vicmarc jig, which wasn't on the market when I bought. I went that way because I saw many comments from people who had bought Tormek who had stopped using them, and because I felt that a grinder and jigs was more flexible (and cheaper).

This thread https://www.woodworkforums.com/f127/tormek-t3-t7-156339/ discusses the T3/T7 differences, and this one https://www.woodworkforums.com/f8/great-new-toy-179459/ discusses the Vicmarc jigs.

Have had a T3 for about 2 years. For sharpening chisels, plane blade and home knives I get excellent results. I've never found a need for a T7, a want yes but never a need.