Thread: Triton Wet Dry Sharper

I've had one about a week - planning to do a decent review over the weekend, but here's the quickie.

$199 retail, which is quite amazing compared to a very 'similar' one that goes for $499.
Takes the same accessories I believe

It is slow speed - like nicely so. I ground away at one of my chisels for ages (probably 30 seconds or so in reality - certainly enough to melt! a chisel on a normal grinder, and no heat spot, no burn - for that I love it already.

The wheel needs dressing - I haven't checked if the arbor(?) matches the shaft close enough, or if there is some slack to take out, but I suspect that it is the wheel itself - a quick dressing will take care of that. (Perhaps not so quick - it revolves rather slowly!!)

I would check to ensure that the guide support bar is parallel to the wheel - mine needs a little tweak. I could dress the wheel instead, but better to get the machine set up spot on in the first place.

I haven't used any other slow speed grinders to be able to compare it to, but for my money, this one is what I would expect for a slow speed sharpener, so I'm happy.

It certainly means that I wouldn't think of spending money on one of those $700 - $1000 models!! (But hey, horses for courses - if I could afford one of those gold plated ones (they are -aren't they?), then I possibly would)

thanks Stuart,
I am getting my money back on the GMC ($115) and have got Just Tools to put a Triton on hold for me ($209)- they came in yesterday and have only got 6 in stock.
Where'd you get yours?
The way I looked at the GMC was that I could somehow construct my own guide and jig system... which I never did and just became happy freehanding. Also, needing a grinder/wire wheel, it doubled up.
For what it is worth, IMO the GMC could have been perfectly OK for the price, however they let themselves down by not providing a basic guide (even without jig), and most of all IMHO by using a plastic reduction gear. Other than that it worked fine.
Also I can imagine that within the two years of warrenty you would never EVER have to dress the wheel or buy a new one... the machine will simply break before you have managed any wear on the wheel, and they will send a new one out for you

For an extra $94, I think the Triton will do me well. The basic jig, so long as it fits my chisels's and plane blades will probably be all I need (no need to spend a fortune on Tormek Jigs). Plus, I have already done most of my 'ugly grinding' on the GMC, so can now go nice and gentle on the Triton

The leather honing wheel thing, I am not so sure of. I will definately use it, but I have liked to do my hollow grinding on the slow wet wheel, and then finish it off by getting the secondary bevel via scary sharp- then I polish on some flat leather with honing compound.

Anyway, now I gotta also get a dedicated grinder for my wire wheel- and somehow fit it in.

Look forward to the full review.

BY THE WAY, quick question,
what grit size is the wet wheel?

Cheers, Hans.

Borrowed a demonstrator model....
Tell Just Tools that they are $199 in Bunnies.

Think the Triton will do you very well - the guide provided looks almost exactly like the one provided with the Scheppach, and there are a bunch of additional guides available that will fit, depending on what other tools you need to dress. (Yeah, I know you said....)

The leather honing wheel you may not use for chisels - I'm definitely planning going from the grinding wheel onto my Japanese waterstones, but for the kitchen knives etc, they may just end up on the leather wheel to finish.

Grit size - not a clue sorry!!! The Scheppach I think is 220, but that's from (poor) memory, and isn't the same wheel for sure, so not reason why the grit will be the same anyway. The Scheppach wheel can be dressed with one of their accessories to 'change the grade' to a finer cut, but don't know if the Triton wheel can do the same.

Down track, you could always replace the Triton wheel with one of the others, but at $80 or so - is almost 1/2 the price of the Triton sharpener!!

Looking forward to having a good crack over the weekend, and I have some very interesting ideas already to put out there.

Hi fellow Tritoneers,

Just in from the Perth Wood Show - where you can see the following:
Triton Wetstone Sharpener - $199
8" Triton Bandsaw - $399
12" Triton Bandsaw - $699
13" Thicknesser - $699
15" Thicknesser - $999 (Only one left)
1/2 " Triton Router - $380
1400 W Triton Router - $288
Triton Belt & Disk Sander $299
Triton 9 1/4 Saw $299
Triton SuperJaws $198 (new Model)
There are bonus offers - spend $200 and get a Multi-stand for $25 or Li-Screw Screw Driver for $25; Spend $500 and get a Super Jaws for $100.


Best regards to All
Chris

Get the sharpener, spend $1 and get a multistand cheap- good deal!

when is the Melbourne show?
is there a melbourne show
I thought I heard rumour of it

if so, maybe I can hold out until then

http://www.workingwithwood.com/melbourne/index.htm
12-14 October

And Twisty - sorry, missed part of your original question.

Yes Tormek and Scheppach accessories both fit. Not sure about the replacement Tormek support arm, as there is probably a different distance between centres of the uprights. The Tormek replacement is in the order of $80 anyway - almost 1/2 the price of the entire Triton unit!

This may be a very silly question, but.... people on here are talking about using this sharpener to sharpen plane blades and chisels. Would this be suitable for woodturning chisels aswell?

Sharpening is something I seriously need to look at, and if this one machine can do all of this then I will think about it.

What's the advantage that this machine offers over a $30 whitestone wheel on a bench grinder?

Thanks again,
Nathan.

I_wanna_Shed,
check out this tormek demonstration video
http://www.tormekshop.com.au/files/intro_gb_medium.wmv

because the Triton will take the tormek jigs, you could theoretically do everything you see done on there. I am not sure what jigs Triton are going to offer, other than the basic one that comes with it. Some of the tormek Jigs however will apparantly cost more than whole Triton unit itself.

the advantage IMHO would be that it is impossible to burn your tools on the wet wheel, where your white wheel can- also it is much slower grinding so you have a much finer control and smaller chance of taking off too much or damaging it. I am not a turner, but I think I have read it said that turners tools can adequately be sharpened to 'sufficiency' on your white wheel (carefully), linisher or discsander, etc...

Personally I love the idea of wet-grinding. It takes time, but I actually enjoy the process and I like to know that I have not stuffed up the temper of the tool (as I most likely do on a normal grinder).


Stuart,
Thanks for the link,
I don't think I can wait that long,
no, not at all.

I just bought a Ryobi 8" grinder on epay to replace the GMC which is being picked up.
I can't wait for the Triton (Waiting for paychecks to clear).

Hans.

At this stage I don't think other jigs are going to be available, but that is not to say it won't be considered. I've already submitted a recommendation for some that I'd like to see available, and they should be a lot cheaper than the Tormek ones.

I can't justify $28 for a bit of folded steel with a hole drilled in it for the axe jig, when I can make the same thing in wood in a couple of minutes for free. Some jigs I'd definitely consider, others, I'd just make.

If you consider wet grinding as stage 1 of a sharpening session, then I'm happy for it to be slow - it is much much faster than hand even so! As Hans said - it is a relief not to burn the crap out of the tools (which I do frequently on a normal grinder, white wheel or not)

I'm planning on shooting some video this afternoon of the sharpener in use (including the initial tune-up) so hope that will be available online during the week (2 cameras, plus sound all to sync, then edit, and finally render for the web takes a bit!)

Stu

I'm planning on shooting some video this afternoon of the sharpener in use (including the initial tune-up) so hope that will be available online during the week (2 cameras, plus sound all to sync, then edit, and finally render for the web takes a bit

I'll look forward to seeing your video.

I'd like to get the Tormek planner/Thicknesser jig but can't justify the ourtrageous prices charged in australia. I had a look on the amazon website and they are much cheaper with the latest exchange rates.

Has anyone bought any tormek items from there?

Originally Posted by hansp77

I_wanna_Shed,
check out this tormek demonstration video
http://www.tormekshop.com.au/files/intro_gb_medium.wmv

because the Triton will take the tormek jigs, you could theoretically do everything you see done on there. I am not sure what jigs Triton are going to offer, other than the basic one that comes with it. Some of the tormek Jigs however will apparantly cost more than whole Triton unit itself.

the advantage IMHO would be that it is impossible to burn your tools on the wet wheel, where your white wheel can- also it is much slower grinding so you have a much finer control and smaller chance of taking off too much or damaging it. I am not a turner, but I think I have read it said that turners tools can adequately be sharpened to 'sufficiency' on your white wheel (carefully), linisher or discsander, etc...

Personally I love the idea of wet-grinding. It takes time, but I actually enjoy the process and I like to know that I have not stuffed up the temper of the tool (as I most likely do on a normal grinder).


Stuart,
Thanks for the link,
I don't think I can wait that long,
no, not at all.

I just bought a Ryobi 8" grinder on epay to replace the GMC which is being picked up.
I can't wait for the Triton (Waiting for paychecks to clear).

Hans.

Thanks Hans. That's all very helpful information. And after watching that video, its hard to believe that the very similiar Triton unit is coming out at such a lower price. I'm just waiting for the manual to be placed on Triton's website so I can read more about it.

I'm sure that like others, I'm waiting for a few of the users here to post a review.

I was going to take advantage of the Sydney Public Holiday and wander down to the Canberra wood show and buy a Gifkins jig, but now that this little machine has caught my eye..... I'll need to think about a few things.

Thanks,
Nathan.

Originally Posted by Tex79

I'll look forward to seeing your video.

I'd like to get the Tormek planner/Thicknesser jig but can't justify the ourtrageous prices charged in australia. I had a look on the amazon website and they are much cheaper with the latest exchange rates.

Has anyone bought any tormek items from there?

Remember Amazon will only sell books & DVDs to Australia - no tools etc.

Apparently some have been sold here in Canberra - no feedback yet.

I do hope the marketeers down in Triton/GMC decide to
a. Add a large (and small) knife sharpening jig to their product offering
b. Include the large knife sharpening jig along with the universal jig they ship (and up the
price I suppose by $30-$40).

I think b. would increase their sales tremendously, for we wouldn't be buying it for ourselves, but for our better halves!!!!!!