Someone broke into my workshop and took things

[Jose Catoira]

Simple as that. 

 

 

My downstairs workshop was broken into, and some stuff taken.

 

 

The only two things they took were the pillar drill (which I am in part glad they did, as I totally hated it) and my Tormek grinder. 

 

The grinder I was never too happy with either and I am wondering about other waterbased systems out there, 

 

Does anybody have any suggestions???

 

 

 

P.S. They should have taken the bandsaw and give me the excuse I am looking for to get a new one. Bastards. 

[fiddlecollector]

Sorry to hear Jose. Obviously opportunist thieves going straight for power tools which they can probably sell easily on ebay or whatever.

[chungviolins]

I don't like Tormek grinder,the wheel is too big.

 

My favorite is Baldor 6" ,(1800 RPM),simply the best grinder!

 

I use the tool rest which comes with the grinder,only modification is I glue Plexiglass to it.

 

And make sure it is placed parallel to the axis.

 

 

http://www.baldor.com/products/detail.asp?1=1&page=1&catalogonly=1&catalog=632E&product=Grinders%2FBuffers&family=Grinders%7Cvw_GrindBuff_Grinders

 

 

Koo Young

 

         

 

[Jeffrey Holmes]

 

I don't like Tormek grinder,the wheel is too big.

 

My favorite is Baldor 6" ,(1800 RPM),simply the best grinder!

 

I use the tool rest which comes with the grinder,only modification is I glue Plexiglass to it.

 

And make sure it is placed parallel to the axis.

 

 

http://www.baldor.com/products/detail.asp?1=1&page=1&catalogonly=1&catalog=632E&product=Grinders%2FBuffers&family=Grinders%7Cvw_GrindBuff_Grinders

 

 

Koo Young

 

         

 

 

 

I know some don't get along with them, but I happen to like my Tormek (had one since they first became available)... but the alternate wheel makes a difference.  Much easier on the Japanese blades and I can bring straight edge tools in seconds.

 

BTW Koo Young; Tormek makes two different sized grinders.  The cheaper one has a smaller (8") wheel.  I have both (larger one in my main shop, smaller in my weekend shop).

 

I also use a slotted plexiglass rest for knives.  Attaches to the flat rest with a couple clamps.

 

Jose; Sorry man.  What a drag.  

[chungviolins]

---->Tormek makes two different sized grinders.

 

I didn't know that they make smaller ones too,thanks,Jeff.

 

I wish Baldor makes a even smaller wheel grinder like 4 " or 5",I like strong hollow on the bevel.

 

KY

[JohnCockburn]

I happen to like my Tormek... but the alternate wheel makes a big difference.

 

BTW Koo Young; Tormek makes two different sized grinders.  The cheaper one has a smaller wheel.  I have both (larger one in my main shop, smaller in my weekend shop).

 

I also use a plexiglass rest for knives.

Which alternate wheel is this Jeffrey?

I really like the Tormek, but grinding can be dreadfully slow with the standard wheel...

Would also be interested to know how you have your plexiglass knife rest set up....

[chungviolins]

---->I also use a slotted plexiglass rest for knives.  Attaches to the flat rest with a couple clamps.

 

I  glue them permanently with Krazy glue.

Sometimes I use another layer of plexiglass to make it straight(even,parallel whatever...)

 

KY

[Jeffrey Holmes]

Hey John;

 

A silicon wheel and a Japanese wheel are available for the Tormek.  If you want to remove material quickly, the  silicon wheel  is much more aggressive.  The Japanese wheel is a very fine grit.

 

I actually liked their original wheel the best, but they no longer produce it... and mine cracked after 20 years of use.

 

For a knife rest, I use 1/4" plexi and cut out a slot for the wheel (so the plexi extends on both sides).  Allows a flat surface around the wheel to support the knife blank.  I use the rest without the plexi for scrapers, which is why I haven't glued the platform to the jig...  suppose I should stop being cheap and just buy a dedicated flat rest for knives and glue it down.   

[violins88]

I use this.  I have really learned how to use it. I have a very coarse grit wheel, 120 grit I think,  and a 1,000 grit and 6,000 grit.  If you get this machine, contact me and I will tell you more about how I use it. I have invented a VERY simple jig for curved-edge knives and another even simpler one for gouges. 

 

Finally, I have an 8 inch MDF board wheel that fits on top of the dry 1000 grit wheel. This MDF is charged with chrome oxide for final honing. Works wonderfully.

 

I use my sharpness test here.

[Craig Tucker]

Simple as that. 

 

My downstairs workshop was broken into, and some stuff taken

 

Ouch.

I have only been broken into once here in New Mexico, and they only stole a brand new motorized bike that my wife had in there because that's where the re charger was...

 

Luckily, they completely ignored (all of) my shop tools.

 

Sorry, bud.  :-(

[Jerry Lynn]

 

I actually liked their original wheel the best, but they no longer produce it... and mine cracked after 20 years of use.

 

 

 

I have not tried them, but I've noticed when at the Grizzly store that the wheels on their knock-off wet grinder seems very similar to the wheel on my older model Tormek (not like the one we have at the summer program.)  It may be worth a shot - I believe they're compatible with the Tormek, and I think they're cheap.  The japanese tormek stone is seriously nice though. 

 

 

Jose, you have my condolences. 

[Thomas Coleman]

Sorry to hear that Jose

[FredN]

Hi Jose, sorry about the break in. Must be the season, my house was just broken into, only thing taken of value was a gun. I have almost all my inst's laying around, and I understand that one of the burglars tried playing one and said lets look for something of value. What an insult- 

 

Re a sharpener- Woodcraft used to make a sharpener called Water Stone Grinder that had a horizontal 8" stone that spun around 300 rpm with an adjustable angle guide that I can sharpen tools from  gouges down to finger blades. With making a couple of simple jigs for holding tiny blades it is a great sharpener. They discontinued it for once the stone got wet and out of balance it would have an eccentric spin. All I did was put some nuts in the well in the middle of the wheel, like balancing a tire, and it runs  smooth. Hard to beat it.   fred

[HullGuitars]

Very sorry to hear about your misfortune and experience. That's terrible! What up bum to do something like that!

I had a nightmare about this a few nights ago that someone broke in my workshop just after finishing getting it the way I wanted to and remodeling. I can't imagine that feeling. Hopefully it will give you the opportunity to purchase some tools that you really like

[Roger Hargrave]

Whatever you decide to purchase, the first thing that you must do is to make sure that your workshop is absolutely secure. My friend Rene Zaal was broken into three times, each time just after he had replenished and prepared his new tools. Some people really are bastards. In addition if you can still get insurance after a break in, make sure that you are adequately covered. Don't even begin to imagine that lightening won't strike the same place twice. Whenever, lightning strikes and causes a fire, the resulting fire and rising heat attracts even more lightning. It is the reason why fire brigades are reluctant to fight house fires during lightning storms. If you are smart you will look upon your break in as the first lightning strike in a storm.

[Smith]

.

[Rick Hyslop]

Well I guess that the bright side is that they didn't take any instruments ! Tools like grinders can be quickly replaced whereas work time on an instrument will be lost forever.

 

Sorry to hear about the break in. That really stinks.

 

r.

[Jose Catoira]

Thanks guys for the kind words and the good advice. 

 

Shutters have been ordered, that should stop any future attempts to break into my basement. 

 

Asfor the grinder, I need to look into it. The Tormek was OK for many years but I feel that some improvement can be made. 

The pillar drill was rubbish, total crap. I can use this excuse to finally get a proper milling machine...

 

Cheers all!

[sonnichs]

I have long used my 40 year old Delta wet wheel (120 grit?) for roughing down (works fine for this) but go through a series of flat waterstones for final finish ending in 8000.

 

Can someone tell me if the Tormek is used to put a final finish on edges of is it just for roughing down. I assume much of the cost is in the wheel!

 

cheers,

Fritz

[David Burgess]

Jose, one can get wireless cameras for about $100 each, which can be viewed live on the internet, will see in the dark, and will email photos and video when motion is detected. I have one conspicuously mounted outside as a deterrent, and more inside to help catch the thief.

[Violadamore]

Jose, one can get wireless cameras for about $100 each, which can be viewed live on the internet, will see in the dark, and will email photos and video when motion is detected. I have one conspicuously mounted outside as a deterrent, and more inside to help catch the thief.

Jose, you have my deepest sympathy.  Back when I lived in apartments, I learned to loathe burglars.  My current security system is deployed similarly to David's, includes an alarm function, and is sensitive to motion, sound, and odor.  It also has fire-and-forget attack capability. Though it keeps no records, it has done an excellent job for me through the years. [scratches a Bull Mastiff behind the ears, and grins]

[Rue]

We are looking at some system too after our cars were plundered for valuables this summer. We were at home and no one...not even the dogs...heard them.

Btw. ..they are scarier when standing up...

[David Burgess]

Jose, you have my deepest sympathy.  Back when I lived in apartments, I learned to loathe burglars.  My current security system is deployed similarly to David's, includes an alarm function, and is sensitive to motion, sound, and odor.  It also has fire-and-forget attack capability. Though it keeps no records, it has done an excellent job for me through the years. [scratches a Bull Mastiff behind the ears, and grins]

That's cool, but I don't need to walk my cameras, and they don't pee or poop, or eat $20 worth of dog food per week. Plus, I can place a hygrometer/thermometer in front of my camera to know if the environment has gone awry. While dogs have extraordinary senses, I don't know of any that will track and report temperature and humidity, and also report something like a plumbing leak.

 

I checked in with my cameras every day when I was away in Russia recently.

 

Vioadamore, I'm party just messin' with ya, confident of a good comeback.

[Violadamore]

That's cool, but I don't need to walk my cameras, and they don't pee or poop, or eat $20 worth of dog food per week. Plus, I can place a hygrometer/thermometer in front of my camera to know if the environment has gone awry. While dogs have extraordinary senses, I don't know of any that will track and report temperature and humidity, and also report something like a plumbing leak.

 

I checked in with my cameras every day when I was away in Russia recently.

 

Vioadamore, I'm party just messin' with ya, confident of a good comeback.

I started to open this with "Well, you can't hug a security camera", but then considered who I was addressing.  As you noted, dogs can provide valuable tanning and wood treatment materials.  I do derive some temperature and humidity info from mine.  Hummvee, convinced that his posterior is candied apparently, usually lets me know when it's raining by appearing at the back door clamoring for entry while Corky always announces the approach of Spring by shedding vast amounts of fur.

 

Rue, dogs are only an effective deterrent, detector, and countermeasure when allowed to run free on the property.  Along with the usual warning signs, anyone approaching my fence and gate is going to have very good reason not to attempt to cross it, and I have very audible notice of visitors as well. 

[Rue]

Hmm. ..maybe it's a fence we need? Don't got one...