A record of some observations after having an opportunity to use both tools.

 

Tormek

• Round grinding wheel leaves a radius or hollow grind
  • This is desirable for some applications like a parting tool.
  • Does a great job on gouges
  • Hollow grind is less than ideal for bench chisels and plane blades
• Time
  • Takes longer to sharpen
  • Preparation
    • Since the diameter of the wheel changes with use, set up is inconsistent from session to session. 
      • Jigs and notation labels on the tool help to mitigate this, but still requires fiddling each time you return. 
  • Steel stays cool
  • Re-grinding bevel takes an excessive amount of time.  Tool not really designed for this work
• Cost
  • Very expensive, in excess of $1000
  • Long term
    • More expensive to operate over time due to high cost of abrasives
    • An assortment of grits requires significant investment in stones.
• Adaptability
  • Jigs are available for a WIDE variety of edged tools from Axe to Scissor. 

 

Sorby Pro Edge

• Platen is flat and leaves a flat surface
  • Ideal for skews, bench chisels, plane blades
  • Does a great job on gouges
• Time
  • Quick and easy changes between abrasive grits
  • Coarse grit belts allow for quick regrinding
    • Belts are available to allow for a very high polish
    • 320 grit is good enough for lathe application
  • Heats the steel
    • Cool steel by dipping in water as needed
  • Consistent distance to platen
    • Jig is consistent each time you return to sharpen
      • Quick and easy with no fiddling
      • Notation label with wing angle, protrusion, and hole allows for fast easy setup upon return.
        • Required after market accessories for lathe tools.
        • https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Sorby-Proedge-Proset/dp/B008AK7ULO/ref=pd_sbs_1/132-8175967-9286741?pd_rd_w=7PClz&pf_rd_p=0f56f70f-21e6-4d11-bb4a-bcdb928a3c5a&pf_rd_r=9ZMT2EMRXCCZXWEF8G4T&pd_rd_r=8854af3f-d351-402e-a86f-914ddc6c1f17&pd_rd_wg=3iG5v&pd_rd_i=B008AK7ULO&psc=1
        • https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Sorby-Proedge-Long-Grind/dp/B008AK6HQ8
• Cost
  • About half the cost of the Tormek
  • Long Term
    • Belts run less than $20 and last a long time
• Adaptability
  • Available jigs are limited to wood working tools

 

.40

 

I'd never give up my Tormek. There is a CBN replacement wheel for the Tormek stone wheel which does eliminate some of the disadvantages.

10 minutes ago, lew said:

I'd never give up my Tormek. There is a CBN replacement wheel for the Tormek stone wheel which does eliminate some of the disadvantages.

Me either!  I like them both.  

I have a Wonders CBN wheel on my Tormek.  It does help some. 

 

.40

Of note on the water issue. 
   1.HSS ‘s temper is not affected by heat unless you get up to 2000 degrees. 
   2. Water quench will cause cracks in steel. Use oil. If you watch Forged in Fire watch the judges cringe when someone uses water.

I set up a bench top belt dander to use for sharpening but also have the OneWay Wolverine sharpening jig and a variable speed grinder.  Both systems work well.  I had the belt sander set up for a long time before I got the OneWay and haven't noticed any difference from the hollow grind.

 

 

 

 

I invested in a Tormek a couple years ago and I really like it. With that, I've no doubt the pro edge is a good system as well. In the pros for the Tormek you didn't list what IMO is one of the most important reasons to own a Tormek. Since they are low speed with a water bath, no grinding particles are put into the air for us to breathe. The modern high speed steel alloys have some nasty properties.

I use a shop built version of the belt sander. I use a ceramic belt which is a worn 320 grit that gives me a very good edge. The jig has a position for every chisel I use. It allows me to switch between chisels in a few seconds. The first one of these I built used a HF 4X24 belt sander that I built a cradle for. The SS version came years later. 
Paul

 

Edited September 18, 20214 yr by Masonsailor

My version has tubular pockets with all thread and an adjusting nut to compensate for length as the tool gets ground shorter.

 

 

 

and a pocket for each tool coded with letters.

 

 

then the mount for the bowl gouges and a Sorby jig.

 

Edited September 18, 20214 yr by HandyDan