Anyone have the Wen sharpener? (Tormek knock off)

[Mr.N]

As I get older I have less time for tasks that could be done a little faster with the correct tool.
I am also enjoying the benifits of sharp tools, to the point my family has asked me to sharpen some off their tools.

So I ordered the 8" paper wheels for a grinder. I can not get them to work worth a hill of beens, and done messing with it and will be using the grinder for other work like shaping my lawn mower blades.

So I found some videos on the ~ $150 Wen (and plenty of other knock offs) water stone sharpener. Add in a ~$45 knife holder and I believe they have me sold.

So, anyone here use one?

 

[Dumber than lumber]

I had a Tormek T-2000.
Bought a T-8 in very good condition, and sold the T-2000.
Many years ago I had a certain Wen sharpener (Sears used to have something identical) that cost about $40 new.
Anyway, that Wen tool just never worked very well for me.
So not sure about which Wen or other models you are considering.
Before the T-2000 I got a variety of Arkansas stones, blade jigs, diamond stones. Nothing I tried came close to what the Tormek does.

 

[Mr.N]

I had a Tormek T-2000.
Bought a T-8 in very good condition, and sold the T-2000.
Many years ago I had a certain Wen sharpener (Sears used to have something identical) that cost about $40 new.
Anyway, that Wen tool just never worked very well for me.
So not sure about which Wen or other models you are considering.
Before the T-2000 I got a variety of Arkansas stones, blade jigs, diamond stones. Nothing I tried came close to what the Tormek does.

Thanks for the great feedback.

Right now, the ~$150(Wen) vs ~$415 (T4) ~ vs $600(T7) is swinging me towards the Wen.
Figure if I really like to sharpen stuff I can sell the Wen and step up, or get a second one with a higher grit stone.

.​

 

[Dumber than lumber]

Thanks for the great feedback.

Right now, the ~$150(Wen) vs ~$415 (T4) ~ vs $600(T7) is swinging me towards the Wen.
Figure if I really like to sharpen stuff I can sell the Wen and step up, or get a second one with a higher grit stone.

.​

What model of Wen are you considering? Just curious.

 

[TLCObsession]

The Grizzly sharpeners are pretty good. I also noticed Tom Silva from TOH using the Rikon in a recent post.

 

[Mr.N]

What model of Wen are you considering? Just curious.

10" stone and 8" other wheel....

The 9" other wheel is another $40 and I can not fine and advantage.... other than a larger wheel. (Yeah, it can affect the angle... but I am not that good)

 

[Mr.N]

The Grizzly sharpeners are pretty good. I also noticed Tom Silva from TOH using the Rikon in a recent post.

Good point, and thanks for sharing that information

 

[may0naise]

projectfarm did some knife sharpeners

 

[EZ_Garage]

Primarily what type of tools are you wanting to sharpen? Chisels, plane blades, knives, axes, scissors, kitchen knives, woodworking lathe tools, ????

 

[Mr.N]

projectfarm did some knife sharpeners

Wow, one I missed, thanks for he link.

 

[Mr.N]

Primarily what type of tools are you wanting to sharpen? Chisels, plane blades, knives, axes, scissors, kitchen knives, woodworking lathe tools, ????

Chisels, plane blades, knives, axes, scissors, kitchen knives
Gardening and yard tools

 

[gte718p]

Chisels, plane blades, knives, axes, scissors, kitchen knives
Gardening and yard tools

Just the size difference between say an axe and a kitchen knife mean it would be hard to find a single appropriate tool.

 

[Mr.N]

Just the size difference between say an axe and a kitchen knife mean it would be hard to find a single appropriate tool.

I will report back on that, ordering tonight.

 

[M635_Guy]

projectfarm did some knife sharpeners

I freakin' love that guy.

I'm tempted to give the MDF wheel a try...

This one is short and low on details

Paw Paw should really (A) get to the point and (B) use tools more of us have, but there are some good nuggets

Kits are available on Amazon for $80, but...

 

[Mr.N]

I freakin' love that guy.

I'm tempted to give the MDF wheel a try...

This one is short and low on details

Paw Paw should really (A) get to the point and (B) use tools more of us have, but there are some good nuggets

Kits are available on Amazon for $80, but...

Search and you can find them for $50

Yeah, as I said bought the paper wheel, didn't work for me.

 

[M635_Guy]

Search and you can find them for $50

Yeah, as I said bought the paper wheel, didn't work for me.

Somehow my brain skipped over that - apologies.

I've been considering trying the DIY model of that - can you share your experience?

 

[Retroman]

Not sure how well the low end sharpeners would fare on the high end super steels such as SV35VN, S90V, M390, ZDP-189 to name a few. You really need diamond stones to sharpen these steels. If your blade steel is not laser engraved on the blade you could probably sharpen it on the bottom of a ceramic coffee cup if it is not glazed and get good results.

 

[gmt]

Hey OP,
There is a youtube video by P G on tormek vs wen.

 

[M635_Guy]

Hey OP,
There is a youtube video by P G on tormek vs wen.

Would it kill ya to copy/pasta?

 

[M635_Guy]

This one was also helpful IMHO

 

[Mr.N]

Somehow my brain skipped over that - apologies.

I've been considering trying the DIY model of that - can you share your experience?

No worries.

The Grit side never would grind much for me. Always seemed to dull. I followed the instructions and glued more grit down, still same issue.
Maybe it's user error, but I watching 10+ video's of people doing it to be sure. Or maybe the cheaper wheel used cheaper grit that doesn't work.
I was only able to sharpen one 5" knife with it.

Now, I am planning on keeping the strapping wheel on it.

 

[EZ_Garage]

Chisels, plane blades, knives, axes, scissors, kitchen knives
Gardening and yard tools

That's what I figured. Like what has been said, it's difficult to find an all-in-one solution for all those sharpening tasks.

I have the Grizzly Tormek clone that I use with the Jet branded jigs. I use the Grizzly for scissors, axes, kitchen knives, lathe tools and wide plane blades. In the other corner I have the Worksharp 3000 which does all my ww chisels and most of my plane blades. They both have their strengths and weaknesses, the Worksharp is a great tool for chisels and plane blades but it has capacity limits. If I had, to pick just one it would be the Grizzly wet sharpener because it is more versatile and can do a wider range of tools.

 

[Mr.N]

That's what I figured. Like what has been said, it's difficult to find an all-in-one solution for all those sharpening tasks.

I have the Grizzly Tormek clone that I use with the Jet branded jigs. I use the Grizzly for scissors, axes, kitchen knives, lathe tools and wide plane blades. In the other corner I have the Worksharp 3000 which does all my ww chisels and most of my plane blades. They both have their strengths and weaknesses, the Worksharp is a great tool for chisels and plane blades but it has capacity limits. If I had, to pick just one it would be the Grizzly wet sharpener because it is more versatile and can do a wider range of tools.

Thanks for the great info!

Picking it up today.