DIY Tormek jig adapter for wolverine system?

[Henry Martin]

A while ago I cut the v-arm short, as I really only use it for the varigrind. As a result, I've got a fair bit of square bar leftover. I'd like to use it to make something like the Tormek adapter that WTW sells (see link). Has anyone tried that? I'm just not sure as to how to guarantee alignment on the vertical pieces. I've got a welder available to me, and a drill press + some taps, but otherwise I don't have much metalworking capabilities.

https://woodturnerswonders.com/coll...stem/products/kodiak-tormek-style-adapter-jig

I just prefer the locking mechanism of the wolverine to the bench grinder adapter that tormek sells, and I'd like to try making the jig myself if possible.
If anyone has any ideas as to how they would make this, let me know.

Thanks!

 

[Brian LaRochelle]

I cut my v-arm short just to use this with this:

Tormek Converter Plus Accessories for Wolverine Jig

Attachment to adapt the Tormek jig system for use with a Wolverine v-arm.

www.sharpeningsupplies.com

A little pricey, I already had the other parts, so i was just able to buy:

Tormek Wolverine Converter Bracket Only

The OWC-1 is an attachment to adapt the Tormek Bench Grinder Mounting Kit BGM-100 directly to a Wolverine v-arm.* Mounting on a Wolverine v-armIf you already have a Wolverine v-arm mounted by your grinder, you can complement it with this OWC-1 Converter and adapt the Tormek Bench Grinder...

www.sharpeningsupplies.com

I'm very happy with it.

 

[John K Jordan]

If anyone has any ideas as to how they would make this, let me know.

A long time ago I built an adapter to use my Tormek jigs with a bench grinder. I use the same rod that comes with the Tormek (I have several), bought their adapter that holds and locks the legs of the rod, and made a mount from hardwood, fastened to the piece of 3/4" plywood I use to hold the bench grinder and wolverine bases. I shaped the hardwood mount so it would clear the wolverine locking lever.

An older picture, before I got disgusted with the radiused-edged wheels and gave them all away.
Tormek sells, or at least sold, that adapter mounted on top of the wood.
I like the bars with the threaded fine adjustment


Here's another angle, with a different platform mounted on the bar and a different wheel on the bench grinder.
I also use it with various Tormek jigs.
I keep a 1200 grit wheel on the Tormek but use this 600 grit wheel for some things.


This is an older picture of the whole sharpening area, now missing the bench grinder on the far end that I gave to a student.



One day when I'm bored I'll prob add a second Tormek, currently gathering dust on the floor.

BTW, I always cut the bar on the v-arm short - they are way too long for normal use. I think they were made long with the intention of extending it to sharpen certain tools with the end of the tool handle in the 'V'. This proved to be a disaster for some people due to the geometry with some long handles.

JKJ

 

[Dave Landers]

BTW, I always cut the bar on the v-arm short - they are way too long for normal use. I think they were made long with the intention of extending it to sharpen certain tools with the end of the tool handle in the 'V'. This proved to be a disaster for some people due to the geometry with some long handles.

Agree.
Also - you don't have to cut the arm in order to make another adapter or whatever. For me, the cut off end was not long enough (for my needs). Standard 3/4" square stock should be available at your local hardware store.

 

[Henry Martin]

Agree.
Also - you don't have to cut the arm in order to make another adapter or whatever. For me, the cut off end was not long enough (for my needs). Standard 3/4" square stock should be available at your local hardware store.

I see. I cut the arm quite short so I have a good bit to work with, but good to know.
Have you guys not had issues with the bar flexing during sharpening? I've used the BGM-100 style adapter before and it was a bit "loose" feeling, for whatever reason. The WTW adapter I linked appealed to me because the bar is supported on both ends. Is this a non-issue?

 

[John K Jordan]

Have you guys not had issues with the bar flexing during sharpening?

I've never noticed that. My gut feeling is that if the standard bar flexes, there is somehow too much force used.

My sharpening with Tormek jigs is usually with fingertip pressure. But I don't use the sheet metal support that comes now with the BGM-100 (wasn't available at the time) - mine is fastened solidly to a sturdy block of white oak.

For shaping tools like big NRS I do grind aggressively but with a strong wolverine platform on a bench grinder with a 60 grit wheel.

JKJ

 

[Brian LaRochelle]

I used the BGM-100 before switching to the adapter I linked above. I haven't noticed flexing or a loose feeling with either, they were both as solid feeling as on the tormek. The only reason I switched is I wanted to have the wolverine as sort of a 'universal' base for more options. Most or many vendors build for or provide wolverine adapters.