Thread: Triton Wet Dry Sharper

Hi Stuart

I feel that I must stress that I in no way mean to impugn the value of the Scheppach/Triton. For what you pay I think they are good value. Also, with a little work/tuning, I believe that they can do an excellent job. I do not want anyone thinking that I was slagging these machines. The last think I want to do is make someone with a newly-purchased Triton feel that they have crap. Not so.

It is just what I said, you get what you pay for. You pay a LOT more for a Tormek, but the machine is far better machined and has better quality parts. It is a lot like deciding on buying a Stanley or a Lie-Nielsen. You can get both to work very nicely, however the LN requires less to do so, and has a higher top end if you need it. Still, the Stanley may be more than sufficient for the task. You just have to be willing to spend the time tuning it.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Thanks for the info Derek,

I am going to get the strop wheel replaced and see if we can get the barwork straight. Happy to smack it around at home but will discuss this with Fiora and see what they have to say. Not too fussed about that aspect as I am more than capable with a welder.

End of the day - I will stick with the Scheppach and see what I can do. It has to be better than burning things on a bench grinder or messing up on an old oil stone that I have and resembles a black banana!

I will go back on Wednesday so I will see what they say. Glad to hear they were receptive to the return. Family owned business, so I imagine they take pride in customer service. Always nice to have the people who own the store run the store and they generally will look after their clients.

One more piece of info - for Tormek owners or those considering purchasing a Tormek ...

Free wheels for life! http://www.tormek.us/en/offer/offer_fgl.php

Regards from Perth

Derek

"I would prefer the faster speed (120 rpm) of the 1206 verses the 2006 (90 rpm). I was thinking about this and wondering if there is in fact a difference in speed at the circumference of the wheel - anyone know or care to calculate the difference? "

In very rough round figures a point on the smaller wheels surface would move 7 meteres per minute further than a point on the large wheel

No probs Derek - I wasn't disagreeing with anything you were saying - quite the opposite.

51jay,

You are very close...

2006.....141.3 metres/minute.....1.2566 metres/revolution
1206.....150.7 metres/minute.....1.2558 metres/revolution

Wouldn't make any difference...0.8mm per revolution

Hi Skot

Thanks for that. So they are the same (as I suspected). I wonder if the Jet version of the 2006 will come to Oz? That has variable control and a higher speed - which does decrease grinding time.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Correction

Half those figures ...Stupid me used Radius of 250mm & 200mm NOT Diameters

2006.....70.7 metres/minute
1206.....75.4 metres/minute

Originally Posted by derekcohen

One more piece of info - for Tormek owners or those considering purchasing a Tormek ...

Free wheels for life! http://www.tormek.us/en/offer/offer_fgl.php

Regards from Perth

Derek

Sounds like a great offer but if you read the fine print

This is a limited offer valid for Tormek T-7 purchased in USA, Canada, UK or Ireland during 2007

Shame they forget about Australia

Hi all,

Originally Posted by derekcohen

Ho hum ... I had another go ... levelled the wheel again .. it still seemed at little off on one side.

Then I noted that the tool rest was not level/square with the axle and body of the machine (it tilted down at the wheel side). This occurred every time I tightened the screws. I looked for burs, ground off anything protruding. Made no difference. So if I am to true the wheel parallel with the rest, it will have to cant on one side.

This is rediculous. Unless I get a straight forward fix before the weekend is out, it goes back on Monday.

This certainly does not look like the reputable German precision.

Regards from Perth

Derek

I picked up the triton on Monday and lets just say the quality lived up to my expectations

Here's how it went. This is pretty much the conversation I had with myself (without some of the serious language that was going on).
I'm not bagging the Triton mind you. See the conclusion.

1. pulled it out of the box. "Why's the motor hanging down like that? and what's this rod sticking out one end? I'm meant to stick the wheel on the axle. So what's this bit sticking in the way?" ... "oh one of the clips that holds the rod the motor swings on is missing. Must be in the box somewhere. Nope!" OK I'll just push it through and tie it up with tie wire for now. (Frustration level at about 4 now.)

2. "Should be able to turn it on now... Hey, why aren't the wheels turning?" (looks underneath) oh... the spinning dooverlacky isn't touching the rubber wheel .. "why's the motor swinging like that?" OK just chock it with a bit of MDF for now... Hey! spinning wheel (more an oscillating egg really!) (Frustration level at about 6 now.)

3. OK, guys on here (and Stus video) had warned me of this. Out with the single point diamond dresser... done. Square up the tool rest .. done. All square and wheel running well enough. Alright, should be able to test it on a chisel (probably shouldn't have used one of my good Bergs!!!!!)

(Frustration level back down to an all time low of 1.)

4. First thought .... slow, very slow. But that's alright as long as it does a good job.

5. Nope! Skewed to buggery! "That can't be right? Everythings square to everything else.. should work?"

(Frustration level blowing out to 10 at this stage.)

(((( "Just remember what you paid for it! Don't expect miracles (Jeez I wish I had the money for a Tormek. I can see how good this could be!!)"

(Frustration level back down to 8.)

"Bugger this, I'm going to get this to work!"
))))

6. "Let's try something. Instead of squaring the tool in the jig (is the jig the problem?), I'll square it on the stone!! (Smart thinking . Now how you going to do that? OK lift the tool rest high enough so you can see the bevel on the stone (by looking underneath the tool holder). Why's there so much of a gap between the chisel and the stone on the left hand side???? The stones parallel to the tool rest. The chisels set square in the tool holder ... this doesn't make sense! Maybe I didn't set everything up right. Better check again! Nope, everythings square. Maybe I should take this @#$% back!"

(Frustration level bounces back to 10!)

7. OK just try this before you put it back in the box. Loosen the tool a fraction and skew it in the holder until the bevel sits flat on the stone .. right, now tighten it again. Don't worry that it's skewed in the tool holder.. somethings seriously out there. OK, I think this'll work! Drop the tool rest back down to the right angle.. looks like it's right to go ..

(Frustration level back down to an enthusiastic 5!)

8. Grind away ... Strueth .. it's working!

(Frustration level back down to 3.)

9. "Try another chisel .. no wait .. chuck in a plane blade, that'll test you out! Right, tool rest up, sight gap, skew until it's flat, tighten, drop tool rest to right height, grind.... #$%^ worked again "

(Frustration level back down to 1.)

10. "Try a narrow chisel. Hey.. the wheels have stopped again! Don't tell me I've burnt out the motor!
(Frustration level 6.)
Oh the MDF wedge has fallen out. Stick it in a bit tighter."

(Frustration level back down to 3.)

11. "Let's try the stropping wheel. OK, chuck on some Singer sewing machine oil.. Some of the honing stuff .. (spills everywhere) .. what is that, Milk? Yeah, works OK, but think I prefer the waterstones and honing compound on a block of wood for better planes and paring chisels. Should be enough for my 'bench' planes and chisels though."


Conclusion:

It's cheap, the Quality Control's bad, it's a hassle to get to a consistently workable standard. But once you do, it's fine. It's better than fine actually. It's pretty impressive.
Yes the wheel could still do with some work. No I shouldn't need tie wire and MDF to get it working, but in the end .. it's working! For me that's the main thing. I won't be sending it back at this stage. I could get a replacement (or go the cheaper Scheppach), spend a further 3 hours setting everything up and still have problems. I can certainly see where the Tormek could (and probably does) improve things, but I personally can't justify the cost of it. Wish I could!! Bloody kids

Would I buy it again? That's a hard one. I was perfectly happy with an old hand operated Boker grinder i was using prior to this. One thing for certain is I'll still be using the waterstones for the final edge on most tools. Literally 3 strokes on the 8000 (yep, straight from wheel to 8000) and it's one sharp tool.


cheers,


--
Mark

I went to pick up the Scheppach Tiger 2000 that I ordered at the WWWS.

Based on the reports here, I asked the salespeson to get one out and run it for me.

I told him that I had heard quite a few negative reports and his face said that wasn't the first time he had heard that one.

He switched it on, and there was quite a noticable wobble in the wheel, when I said that I wasn't too impressed with that he didn't even offer to open another box! Obviously he knew they would all be the same.

Got my deposit back without a murmur, so no wet grinder for me, yet.

Need a lot of convincing to spend the extra on the Tormek, so this can stay in the "too hard basket" for a while.

Perhaps in a few months time they will have their QC problems fixed.

Hi Mark

That is an excellent mini review. What I want to stress is that this machine can be made to work - you just have to go in with that mindset. I did not want a kit, so opted out.

BS, you want to know how the Tormek compares - chalk and cheese! I used it today for the first time. Smooth ... and it worked 100% out of the box (no wobble to wheel, and an absolutely square grind). But only you can say if it is worth the extra $750/800 for the 2006 (Carba-tec prices - but don't forget I paid $170 less). The 1206 may be a good alternative if looking to save about $300 over the big boy.

Regards from Perth

Derek

Don't forget there is a third alternative. There are still a few German made Scheppach's around. I was offered one last week for $440.

Some interesting observations here on T vs S