BUCKTOOL 10-Inch Variable Speed Sharpening System 1.2-Amp Two-Direction Water Cooled Wet Stone Grinder 90-160RPM, SCM8103

Reviewing BUCKTOOL SCM8103 10-Inch Variable Speed Wet Sharpener …..I was impressively surprised at the overall workmanship/value at $229. Bucktool workmanship and finish…..overall metal case feels strong, tight and well assembled. The finish on my tool has a manufacturing defect on the surface of the top plate (photo) that does not impact function. Electrical toggle switch and speed knob are solid, smooth and crisp. Electrical power wire and plug meet spec. The 10” honing stone…… appeared smooth and worked well right out of the box. No vibration or wobble when spun at full speed (160 RPM). I was impressed that the stone was very close to true. The stone also turns bidirectional. Jig universal support arm …….. very close to square with the stone (photos). A number of reviews reported issues with this. I adjusted the jig alignment slightly with a little vice work. Stropping wheel…….wheel rotates smooth with only very slight wobble. But it feels “light weight”. It has very thin 1/16” leather (photo) and I suspect it may have to be replaced during the life of the machine. I did locate Bucktool parts (photo) and ordered an extra wheel, stone and jig-arm (being shipped from Hong Kong). Jigs….Nice to have two jigs (short knife and grinding/square-edge) provided. I use the Tormek square edge and truing jigs, which will work with this Bucktool. NOTE - The mounting position of the Bucktool support arm prevents the Tormek truing jig from anchoring on the arm shaft, so I will look at adding a “flat” on the jig-arm to help anchor the truing jig screw. Sharpened my first four plane blades today. Process was easy, and I am glad I used a waterproof mat…..water management vs RPM can be interesting. Sharpening took about 3-5 minutes per blade and my first edge (at 30 degrees) was reasonably smooth and square (photos). However, I did notice the stone is rough and will not leave an extremely smooth edge, especially when sharpening at less than 25 degrees (very fine chips in the blade’s leading edge). Happiness factor….I was pleasantly surprised how quiet this machine runs. Even at full 160 rpm, it is impressively quiet (video), especially when compared to other 10” stone sharpeners. Also, considering the cost, my plane blades sharpened well. But if you are looking for that “razor-super-sharp” result, this stone will probably not get you there. However subsequently lapping the blade on a flat diamond stone for a quick second bevel, does provide a very sharp blade that serves my wood shop well. First impressions, this feels like a solid investment. Overall, quite pleased with “first day” experience. The bidirectional variable-speed wheel that is ready "out of the box" with only minor tweaks, strong metal frame, square support arm, multiple jigs, stropping wheel, compound, 2 year warranty, great value-for-money and “really quiet” yields a healthy 5 stars.

For the price. I’m am quite impressed. For those wondering tormek stuff is compatible. The dressing diamond will only work on the horizontal mounting holes for the tool rest. the vertical won’t work because the threaded post location is too far away. On the horizontal it’s in a position to work since the mounting is closer to the wheel. Also you need to cheat the V groove a wee bit by not fully seating it into the post to get enough distance. It works so I’m happy. The machine is quiet runs true. It’s heavy and seems well built. The cons: I did need to square up the tool rest and the welds are garbage to say the least but strong. I don’t think the stone is very good quality. It’s states 1/2” bore I measured with a vernier and it’s 12mm. So it may work with tormek stones. I did find lots of sludge from the stone, it was more than what I expected. It does lose a lot of water the catch tray should have been wider and it’s also a bit of pain to put on. I tried the knife tool….i went and got a tormek one. I’m sure the supplied one is good for an experienced sharpener but I needed something easy. I felt like I can do a better job by hand but that can also be my inexperience. All in all for the price it’s good. I bought it on sale for 245$. It came with a square edge tool, knife holder. Dressing stone for course fine and lapping paste.

I purchased this wet sharpener last year since I own a small shop so chisels or anything else has to be maintained to cut right. Used for my chisels, hand planner, kitchen knife 🔪 it is a pleasure to see how everything I sharp come back as if I went to get it brand new from the store . Don't forget to buy the extra jig for the bigger knife because they only give you one little one but it's only good for the small knife. I will definitely recommend this product pay a bit more to get a good sharpener it will make your life easier 👍

Great tool... Stone... so so..

Minor play in resting arm holder, there is play in angle every time you loosen and tighten the securing screw. However, for 1/4 the price of a tormek, what would one expect? Equal precision and tolerance? Another point to keep in mind is that the distance between the arm shaft and the wheel is not the same as the Toemek. Therefore, the tormek trying tool does not work as intended. The way the tormek trying tool is intended to work is that the leftside secures to the shaft, preventing sny kind of twisting while in use, and it gets you the perfect angle between the tool and wheel, While the tightening bolt merely prevents it from sliding. However, since the vertical shaft is too far, the angle will need to be manually adjusted and has to be secured using the tightening bolt. There is a lot of care needed to make sure yhe jig doesn't twist, and you will have to hold a lot of the area to prevent vibration. Also the fact that the support arm is not always parallel, so sometimes the Cardiff is too high, and sometimes angled low depending on how you happened to tighten the bolts. A lot of finesse will be needed if you really want it true... But the wheel turns, bidirectional, and variable speed. You can't ask for more. For hobby/private use. Not repeatable or reliable for fast commercial use. Nut that is used to keel the height of support arm is tight in some areas. Again. Can't complain for a wheel grinder, complete with tools, compound, wheels, strop! If you intend on getting a grinder for commercial use. Get the Tormek 100%. The tolerance of the support arm WILL make a difference. If all you want is a thing that turns your stone, and also has a support arm, get this. Serves that purpose extremely well! Would def. recommend if not for commercial use.