As a hobbyist woodworker, I like to maximize my efficiency when I'm in my shop. That's one of the reasons I bought my Tormek T-8; it works superbly with the SE-77 jig to sharpen chisels and plane irons. When I use the jig, I want to match the existing bevel angle of the chisel or plane iron to minimize the amount of steel that I need to remove to get back to a sharp edge. I can do that using the angle setting gauge that comes with the Tormek or I can do it by eye with a sharpie, but I wanted a faster and more accurate way to get the desired grind angle so I designed this Tormek projection jig.
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The jig features removable angle blocks that are held in place with magnets. I made blocks for the angles that I use most often – 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 degrees. You could easily add other angle blocks as well. The jig is easy to use and I find it works best clamped in a vise since it leaves both hands free. Two strong magnets hold the chisel or plane iron in place which allows me to tighten the knobs on the SE-77 jig. I don't have to rely on the shoulder on the SE-77 jig to get a square grind; instead, I make sure the cutting edge is touching the top of the angle block as shown below.
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The jig works just as well with skewed plane irons or skewed chisels.
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With the chisel or plane iron secured in the SE-77 jig, I can start grinding without further adjustments to the Tormek. Of course, the jig relies on the support arm being at a fixed height relative to the grinding wheel and I find the TTS-100 turning tool setter works best for this.
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I've made a YouTube video if you are interested to see more details on the jig
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With this new jig, I'm sharpening more often but it's taking me less time so I can get back to woodworking.
Thanks for checking out my jig and all the best for 2024,
David