Tormek vs Worksharp3000??

[Alan in Little Washington]

Has anyone had a chance to use and compare both of these sharpening systems? What do you think? I have a Tormek, and have been thinking . . . . . . .

 

[Joe Scharle]

Alan, I've had 2 water systems over the years (no Tormek) to compare against the WS3000. Personally I don't care if my edges are 1 micron or 20 microns, as long as the tool cuts quick & clean. And I don't have the patience to spend hours sharpening either. I've been using the scary sharp method for years (even before it had a name) and the WS3000 just speeds the process geometrically.

 

[ebarr]

I don't have either. Matter of fact I don't have any sharpening system. Other than a few diamond sharpening stones, so I have been looking for something.

I'm looking at the Worksharp 3000 myself. For what I need to sharpen it looks like it will do the job for me. I just need to keep an edge on my turning tools and a few chisels.

 

[Jonz]

I have a Tormek but no WS, but have been looking at them.

The Tormek is certainly going to cost more initially, especially with jigs. I think overall the Tormek is a better made machine and is more flexible. It deals with water which even though it does it pretty well, it can make a mess if you don't watch it. No question that it sharpens well.

The WS has the advantage of being cheaper and less mess. You'd have ongoing expense with paper although I would assume it is fairly reasonable. Supposedly the heat sink does a good job of dissipating heat so overheating is minimal risk if used correctly. From what I've seen the WS may do a decent job of flattening backs, which the Tormek will do somewhat but is really not a strong point IMO.

I think of you want to sharpen a wide range of items, a Tormek is great at that. It's expensive but it does it well and consistently. If you just mainly want to keep a set of chisels sharp and maybe plane blades, the WS may be the better route.

 

[Alan in Little Washington]

If you just mainly want to keep a set of chisels sharp and maybe plane blades, the WS may be the better route.

That is what I am thinking too. I sold my Tormek planer jig earlier this year since I didn't need it for my Shelix equipped planer and jointer, now I have the beast, but I don't think I will try sharpening 20" planer blades. I don't sharpen scissors, or anything other than chisels, plane irons, and, to a lesser extent, turning tools. The TS supposedly does these nicely. I guess I will need to think it over for awhile, though.