Sorby fingernail jig

[Paul Durden]

Wtb Sorby fingernail jig-the older style that has an adjustable collar 1-2-3 and the black knob, etc , not the newer one with the red knob. The one I want looks like this. See pic. Note that the ones pictured one eBay are the wrong item. I’ve contacted Taylor toolworks and they verified their ad picture is wrong. Thanks!

 

[Bill Alston]

As far as I’m aware, that Jig was not made by Sorby but bought in from Tormek who owned the Patent. When the Patent ran out Sorby made their own version with the Red Knob. Tormek updated their design some years ago. I think the one you are after was called the SVD 180, the current one is the SVD 186R.
Someone on the forum below may be able to add some further clarity for you, or maybe even have the old version for sale?

Tormek Community Forum

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I’d be interested to know why you want the old version. I ask as I never particularly liked it and made up some of my own parts for it to use on my Axminster Ultimate Edge Grinder.

 

[Paul Durden]

Thanks for this information. As far as my motivation, I would actually prefer to have the Axminster Ultimate Edge Grinder, as it can be used via an Axminster adapter with the tormek jig, the 186R, and has other desirable features that the ProEdge does not (reversible, bar for the Tormek, etc). Alas, that (Axminster Ultimate Edge) machine is not allowed to be sold in the US. Strange but true. I'd like to keep the factory grind on 2 Glen Lucas bowl gouges I have. He gives the settings to accomplish this for the Sorby ProEdge, but one of them is the Adjustable collar number (1-3) and the newer Sorby jig (which came with my machine) doesn't have that adjustment; the distance to the axis of rotation in my case is fixed at 58mm I believe.

 

[Paul Durden]

As far as I’m aware, that Jig was not made by Sorby but bought in from Tormek who owned the Patent. When the Patent ran out Sorby made their own version with the Red Knob. Tormek updated their design some years ago. I think the one you are after was called the SVD 180, the current one is the SVD 186R.
Someone on the forum below may be able to add some further clarity for you, or maybe even have the old version for sale?

Tormek Community Forum

The sharpest forum in the world! Welcome to delve deep into the world of Tormek. Ask questions and discuss Tormek topics with fellow Tormek enthusiasts! | Tormek Community Forum

forum.tormek.com

I’d be interested to know why you want the old version. I ask as I never particularly liked it and made up some of my own parts for it to use on my Axminster Ultimate Edge Grinder.

This is the adapter for the Ultimate Edge. The latest Tormek fingernail jig seemingly slides right on:

Axminster Professional Support Bar with Dual Axis Adjustment

The basis of most options for the Ultimate Edge is the Support Bar with Dual Axis Adjustment. This is machined from anodised alloy and bolts easily onto four pre-tapped threaded holes on the belt arm. This familiar round bar in ground silver steel...

www.axminstertools.com

 

[Bill Alston]

Yes, the Axminster tools support bar is the same 12mm diameter as the one on the Tormek grinder so all the Jigs can be used on the Ultimate Edge.
For some reason Sorby chose to make the fixed support bar on their machine 1/2”.
You have a couple of options. You could perhaps join the Tormek forum and see if anyone would be willing to sell you an old SVD 180. Another option is to modify the jig that came with your machine. My SVD 180 has been heavily modified but if I still have the shaft with the numbers on it I can provide you with the critical dimensions. A replacement part needn’t be an exact copy. I’m going out now but I’ll have a look through my box of bits to see what I have.

 

[Bill Alston]

I found the part. It’s a bit difficult to be sure as it’s awkward to measure. The numbered steps though are 10mm apart (with 5mm sub divisions).
I placed a pointed 6mm pin in the boss as a reference and it seems to measure 13mm to the step. This makes the numbered one mark 23mm from the axis, number 2 is 33mm and obviously number 3 is 43mm.

Overall length of the shaft only is 107mm and 12mm diameter.

I hope this helps.





It looks like the newer Sorby jig has a separate boss and shaft, likely threaded? If so you just need to identify the thread and make a new shaft?

 

[Bill Alston]

I don’t know if this is of interest, but someone with a Pro Edge increased the versatility of the machine by adding the Axminster support bar to his.
He can now use many of the jigs made for wet stone grinders made by Tormek, Triton and Record Power etc.

 

[Paul Durden]

Thank you for this information. It is very much of interest, and thank you for the measurements. If I can’t find the actual jig I might be able to jury-rig something to work for me. As far as the new Sorby jig -it looks like this. See pic. As you can see, they’ve taken away the AC (adjustment collar) I can get it closer to the belt but no farther back.

 

[Bill Alston]

Another option may be to remove the shaft from your existing jig and turn it down to 12mm all the way down?
Simple job for anyone with a metal lathe.