I have always thought this tool was a great looking  and sensible tool with multiple cutting edges.

However, I read the reviews on it and about half didn't like it, could it get it right and took it back. It is on sale now and I want your opinion.

What do you as a forum turner think?

Thanks

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=29075&filter=carbide%20turning%20tool

Ron I think the problem with it is the round stock it's made with which makes it a little difficult to use. Check out this site http://www.woodchuck-tools.com/Tools.htm I purchased the PEN PRO and found it the easiest tool to use that I've ever seen and I think the advantage is the square stock because its easier to control but you can turn it on an angle and still have the control you need. The larger tool with multiple profile cutters are just as easy to control. A friend of mine has the multi profile tool from this place and he loves it for bowls and spindles. Another plus is it's made in the USA and the owner and the people that work there have great customer service and well worth the price for all of their tools.

You can always buy the ROCKLER tool and if you don't like it take it back.

Ron, I have the EasyWood Tools Finisher that I purchased through Woodcraft. It is a bit more money than they one you are looking at but I have found it very easy to use.

This one has the square stock but the round carbide cutting head. I use it for finishing to get a smooth surface. I have one that I made that has the square head that you rotate also and uses the square stock.

I agree with Mike on the other one, I think the problem with the tool may be the round stock and the tendency to let it roll a bit. You can certainly still get a catch with these tools.

I have found that the one with the square cutting head and can use a lot like a roughing gouge and remove a lot of stock quickly, but the round cutting head is more of a finishing touch.

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John Moody
Site Administrator


John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

I thought about making one of these- from square stock- I like the idea of being able to rotate the cutting head to keep a sharp edge in contact with the work piece. However, $20 for the replacement tip could really add up over time.

Just my 2¢

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time traveler. Purveyor of the world's finest custom rolling pins!

Lew I don't have the link on this computer but I will put it up tomorrow. I found a place where you can purchase the square cutting heads online. I think they are less than 5.00 each. You have to buy them in a pack of 10. Several of us went together and made several tools.

You can get the square stock at Fastenal.

Sorry this is not a great picture, but this is the one I made. Cost is about 20.00.

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John Moody
Site Administrator


John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

I was substituting in Machine Shop, at the local Vo-Tech, when I saw the cutter they were using on some of the CNC machines. Realized then that this would be an easy build. Just haven't gotten back in that shop to get started. I think you could actually resharpen the square/diamond shaped cutters.

John Moody said:

Lew I don't have the link on this computer but I will put it up tomorrow. I found a place where you can purchase the square cutting heads online. I think they are less than 5.00 each. You have to buy them in a pack of 10. Several of us went together and made several tools.

You can get the square stock at Fastenal.

Sorry this is not a great picture, but this is the one I made. Cost is about 20.00.

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John Moody
Site Administrator


John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

Here is the link to the Carbide Insert Knives. I was mistaken about the price I quoted last night in the post. The are 2.53/ea in a box of 10. They also carry the round one. It is listed on the right side of the pate under related products.

I will also try to get a better picture of the cutter on the one I built.

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John Moody
Site Administrator


John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com

Ron

What a great discussion you got started. There are so many tools of this kind on the market, it makes it hard to decide on a maker. There are some great points on the post here. I like the ideas for making tools. And now that John told us where to get the parts, I might have to try.

Thanks again for the informative discussion.

russ

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No greater Loves than God, Family, Friends, country, the sight of flying chips and the smell of saw dust.

Just for clarity, I wasn't referring to the cutter being round that causes the difficulty its the bar stock that the tool body is constructed from. The square bar stock allows for a a flat surface resting on the tool rest resists the twisting when the cutter is angled in comparison to round bar stock. I have used a round cutter installed on square stock and they cut very well without a loss of control. On my Ebony and Aluminium pen all that I used was the carbide cutter and it sliced through it like butter and it left a smooth surface of which all I did was micro mesh for polishing. I've also turned burl and acrylic with no catching or tear out. Carbide is almost like cheating.

Charles Nicholls said:

I'm with Mike on this one the round head may be great as a hollowing tool, but when trying to get in tight areas or edges, it'll be a pain, If I was going to spend that kind of money on a tool I'd want multiple heads of different shapes.

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Charles Nicholls
Site Host
nicholls61@att.net
http://www.nichollswoodworks.com
This website is new so it doesn't have much to it yet but you are welcome to take a look

I was with you on this Mike. I tried in my response to make sure I was talking about the square cutter or the square stock but may not have been clear either. Both of my carbide tools have the square stock but one has a round cutter and the other has the square cutter.

Also I don't think we were indicating these was the only tools needed. I have a full complement of gouges and scrapers. But there are a lot of things you can turn and turn very well with the carbide tools. I have hollowed a bowl with the square cutter and then put a finish that required almost no sanded using just the two carbide tools. And I have turned a bowl with nothing but a bowl gouge that required almost no sanding. So either will work, just the technique is a bit different.

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John Moody
Site Administrator


John Moody Woodworks
http://www.johnmoodywoodworks.com