While at the Saratoga woodworking show, I learned that there are some new items from Tormek.
I bought a DVD+Book combo called "Woodturner's Instruction Box." ($25)
The book inside isn't anything more than a hardcopy of the latest changes in the manual.
But the DVD by Jeff Farris is certainly worth checking out. There are
80 minutes of tips on using the Tormek jigs, along with some tips on woodturning in general (This is in the Extra section). These videos are not the ones you can download from the Tormek website.In particular, he gives some good advice on transitioning from a standard bowl grind to a more advanced side grind (such as the Ellsworth). I wish I had this before I decided to put an Ellsworth grind on my new gouge. The Tormek is not great at massive re-shaping. And to tell the truth, I screwed it up and will have to re-grind my gouge.
There are some other interesting tips as well. Jeff describes when and when not to burnish scrapers, and talks about burnishing angles, etc. This is certainly worth watching more than once, for beginners.
Another new addition is the "Square Edge Jig" for doing plane irons. I had problems getting a perfectly square edge on my iron. There is a new jig with 3 improvements that addresses this problem.
Let me see if I can remember all three.
1) The 90 degree alignment is made easier. 2) The tool has a floating back, to make sure the tool is parallel to the wheel. 3) There is a stop on the end of the universal support to make sure you don't go to farIt needs a threaded end in the universal support. I'll probably tap my own.