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Tormek BGM-100 Bench Grinder Mountby Fred HolderI set my dry grinder up with the Tormek BGM-100so that I could use the Tormek jigs to grind my tools toshape. This them makes it fairly easy to take the toolto the Tormek for final grinding to a very sharp edge.Recently, I received some information from Tormek onthis addition to their tool list and thought I would sharetheir comments with you in this issue.While nothing on the planet beats the Tormek atmaintaining a perfect edge on turning tools, establishingthe shape on a tool can push a turner’s patience andtake the fun out of the process. Shaping on a dry grindercomes with its own set of trials and tribulations, too.The steel is coming off the tool very quickly, which asall of us who have been there know, can be as muchof a curse as a blessing. If you’re trying to control thatprocess freehand -- good luck. Those who can do itwell are few and far between and the list does NOTinclude my name.Jig systems are nothing new to dry grinders, butwhat we have now, with the BGM-100, is the controlthat has made Tormek jigs world famous combined withthe shaping speed of a dry grinder. Even better, if youuse the TTS-100 Turning Tool Setter, the match of theprofile to the grindstone when moving from shaping onthe dry grinder to sharpening on the Tormek is nothingshort of amazing.There have been critics who have been quick topoint out that Tormek has been beating the watercooleddrum for so many years, and now there they are sellingstuff for dry grinders. Well, the critics aren’t listening tothe message. Tormek still contends (and I agree) that theTormek system is the best way to sharpen your turningtools. They’re now accepting that dry grinding is a reasonablealternative for initial shaping, if done carefullyand under the same control used on the Tormek.Setting up a BGM-100 is very easy. You justlaminate a block from scrap plywood that is 2 inchesless in height than the measurement from the base tothe centerline of your grinder (2-½ inches if using a 6inch grinder). Screw the horizontal base to that, positionit in front of your grinder according to the detailedinstructions, and you’re good to go.The Tormek BGM-100 Bench Grinder Mountenables one to use the Tormek jigs to grind toolson the bench grinder.If you’re unsure that the Tormek is right for you,but you really want to see what everyone is talking aboutwith their jigs, this might be just the right way to takethe first step into the program. It is as easy or easierto construct than any of the competitive systems. It’spriced competitively with anything out there. And, itdoesn’t have the huge footprint in your shop that someother systems take up. If you later decide that you wantto take the next step and put the perfect edge on yourturning tools, everything you buy for a BGM-100 setup will be fully functional with your new Tormek.I have my grinder set up like this with a TormekBGM-100 one each wheel. Now, I have diamondwheels on the grinder and they work very well.More Woodturning June 2010 Page 27