This week’s “Wisdom†is a continuation of the Easy Wood Tools review.

 

 

Included in the “kit†were Easy Wood’s three basic turning tools: The Easy Rougher, The Easy Finisher and the Easy Detailer. These were the mid sized tools. The first thing you notice, when picking them up, is the comfortable design and the quality of the finish. The long handles and square tool bars provide excellent control. I found virtually no vibration during the turning process, even when the tool was extended over the tool rest. Easy Wood has even provided a “safety†marker to indicate the maximum safe overhang during turning.

 

I used each of the tools during the turning the project’s base, starting with the Easy Rougher. I only used the Rougher’s square cutter; however, the radius cutters were included in the kit. The base of the project was walnut. The Rougher peeled off ribbons of shaving better than any of my sharpest gouges. I had thought that the square cutter might dig in at the corners but this was not the case. I had absolutely no trouble making flat cuts across a long surface. The flat cutter worked exceptionally well to do beading cuts, also.

 

Next, I tried the Easy Finisher to make cove cuts in the walnut. Just like the Rougher, shavings peeled off effortlessly. I had used the Finisher to hollow out the inside of the vessel but the cutter was still sharp and left a smooth surface.

 

Finally, the Easy Detailer made quick work of the transitions between various parts of the base turning. Not only could I create small recesses, the sides of the long point can be used almost like a wide scraper to finesse a delicate profile or assist in making beading cuts.

 

A couple of things I needed to get used to when working with these tools. I found I had a tendency to set the tool rest a little too high for optimum cutting. But, after a while, the positioning was much easier. The other thing I needed to get use to was to present the tools 90° to the work piece; unlike most traditional turning tools which are mostly used with the handle angled towards the floor- another easy adjustment on my part.

 

In the “if I had my wish†department, I’d like to see a detailing cutter with a squared off point in addition to the rounded one. It is nice to be able to add crisp corners to the bottom of some small cuts.

 

A short video (~ 3 minutes) showing the tools in use- along with the Easy Chuck. I removed all of the sound. YouTube flagged a couple of my videos. Apparently the background music from the oldies station was clear enough to cause copyright concerns. Cecil B. DeMille certainly has nothing to worry about.

 

Next week, the finished turning and some final thoughts.

 

Safe Turning!

 

 

 

Lew, another great review sir. Thank you for taking the time to test the tools and provide your feedback. Nice video too, I think Cecil DeMille would approve regardless what YouTube feels!

These are a wonderful set of tools, before we shipped them off I had a chance to feel them, see them, hold them and you tell the distinct USA quality in the tools. I did not try them out because I wanted the testers to have a new set of tools.

Thanks again Lew!

Great job Lew!

Your tip about holding the tools at a 90 to the work is a great tip.

When I first tried some EWT's a year ago I made the mistake too of holding the tool with the cutter up at an angle to the work piece, it skipped a couple time, then I came inside and watched the video, and saw how they are supposed to be used. Duh, should have done that to begin with, but hey I'm a guy, I don't need no stinkin instructions right! But they are sweet.

Lew, what stage of dryness is your material you are turning?

 

Lew, what stage of dryness is your material you are turning?

Thanks for the kind words, John, they are really appreciated. As for the wood dryness, I didn't measure the moisture content but the walnut I used was from a stash I friend gave me. It had been air drying in his mother-in-law's garage for 35 or 40 years. Not sure about the spalted stuff, which was also a gift, but I suspect it is as old or older.

Thanks for the kind words, John, they are really appreciated. As for the wood dryness, I didn't measure the moisture content but the walnut I used was from a stash I friend gave me. It had been air drying in his mother-in-law's garage for 35 or 40 years. Not sure about the spalted stuff, which was also a gift, but I suspect it is as old or older.

That is what I really wanted to know Lew, if it was completely dry or not, since I am a new turner, I understand that green is easier to turn, but has some drawbacks during the drying process, and I am under the impression that completely dry wood is more difficult to turn, judging by those EWT's, it looks like those ribbons were falling off as if the wood was green.

That was my exact thought when I saw those curls cascading thru the air, but, I knew the wood was really dry. To top it off, the piece of walnut was positioned so that the "flat" grain was glued to the spalted maple. So that meant those curlies were coming off of end grain every half turn!

That was my exact thought when I saw those curls cascading thru the air, but, I knew the wood was really dry. To top it off, the piece of walnut was positioned so that the "flat" grain was glued to the spalted maple. So that meant those curlies were coming off of end grain every half turn!

Awesome, end grain nonetheless!

WHAT~!!@!@#$$#$#$~!!!

No cheezy soundtrack with megadeath and patti labell samples screeching in the background?

 

Nice video Lew.   Love the 2 camera positions.

I know Cliff, life just keeps beating us down!

Nice review Lew. You are the best!