I have a spindle lathe and I need to know if I can use the mid-size carbide turning tools? I have the Robert Sorby Sovereign System and the connections are so far forward that it gets in the way. I have to have my rest way back from my work that it makes it hard to turn. Also, the connections get in the way when I need to get into tight places. So what I need are some new turning tools and I have been looking at the AXE and the Easy tools. Will the mid-size tools work for me?

 

https://www.hartvilletool.com/product/6102/robert-sorby-sovereign-system

 

I’m probably a bit biased but I think the Easy Wood Tools are superior. Their carbide cutters stay sharper longer and the new negative rake cutters work super on acrylics as well as hard woods. I have mostly their mid sized tools and they have worked well for all the turning I have done. Being made in the USA is also a big plus. The construction of the tools allows the tool rest to be positioned close to the turning. 

The Easy Wood tools definitely don't have the hindrance the Your Sorby tools have and excel at what they do.  Have you considered a couple of traditional spindle gouges and learning to use them?

7 hours ago, lew said:

I’m probably a bit biased but I think the Easy Wood Tools are superior. Their carbide cutters stay sharper longer and the new negative rake cutters work super on acrylics as well as hard woods. I have mostly their mid sized tools and they have worked well for all the turning I have done. Being made in the USA is also a big plus. The construction of the tools allows the tool rest to be positioned close to the turning. 

Hey Lew!

 

So what determines the size of turnings tools I need? I am assuming it's the size of the lathe. Have you tried any of the Carter AXE tools? I read that the AXE will accept the Easy Wood cutters.  

5 hours ago, HandyDan said:

The Easy Wood tools definitely don't have the hindrance the Your Sorby tools have and excel at what they do.  Have you considered a couple of traditional spindle gouges and learning to use them?

Hello Dan.

 

The reason for not getting into traditional cutting tools is learning to sharpening them and using them. I do have a diamond 3/16" parting tool and I use it quite a bit to get into tight places and making tendons plus parting of course.

3 hours ago, hawkeye10 said:

Hey Lew!

 

So what determines the size of turnings tools I need? I am assuming it's the size of the lathe. Have you tried any of the Carter AXE tools? I read that the AXE will accept the Easy Wood cutters.  

While it is true that SOME of the EWT cutters will fit the AXE tools, they will not fit all of them. The EWT cutters are only for the larger AXE tools which equate to the EWT Full and Pro models. So far I use mostly the EWT mid sized tools. They fit the size of projects I do.

 

The FULL sized tools are about 24.5" long with a reach of about 4"

The PRO sized tools are about 28.5" long with a reach of about 4"

The MID sized tools are about 21" long with a reach of about 3"

The MINI sized tools are about 16" long with a reach of about 2"

The MICRO sized tools are about 9.25" and are suitable for very small turnings like pens, etc.

The MID HOLLOWERS are about 21.5" long with a 4" reach

The PRO HOLLOWERS are about 29.5" long with a 4" reach

 

If you do a comparison of prices/size The FULL sized AXE is 24" long and cost $149.99. The 24.5" EWT  FULL size is $129.99

 

In my opinion, it is more the size of the project than the size of the lathe for determining the size of the tool. My lathe is a full sized one but my turnings are typically on the smaller size- rolling pins, 6" to 10" bowls/platters. But, lathe size will determine the max size of a project.

 

One tool, that is not an EWT, you probably want is a roughing gouge if you do a lot of square to round turnings. The EWT rougher is absolutely the best for creating tenons and making large rounds into smaller rounds but the roughing gouge is more suited for square to round.

 

Hope this helps.

44 minutes ago, lew said:

The MINI sized tools are about 16" long with a reach of about 2"

Thanks for the chart Lew.  I had looked them over recently as they our one of our sponsors.  Was unsure which to buy.

1 hour ago, lew said:

While it is true that SOME of the EWT cutters will fit the AXE tools, they will not fit all of them. The EWT cutters are only for the larger AXE tools which equate to the EWT Full and Pro models. So far I use mostly the EWT mid sized tools. They fit the size of projects I do.

 

The FULL sized tools are about 24.5" long with a reach of about 4"

The PRO sized tools are about 28.5" long with a reach of about 4"

The MID sized tools are about 21" long with a reach of about 3"

The MINI sized tools are about 16" long with a reach of about 2"

The MICRO sized tools are about 9.25" and are suitable for very small turnings like pens, etc.

The MID HOLLOWERS are about 21.5" long with a 4" reach

The PRO HOLLOWERS are about 29.5" long with a 4" reach

 

If you do a comparison of prices/size The FULL sized AXE is 24" long and cost $149.99. The 24.5" EWT  FULL size is $129.99

 

In my opinion, it is more the size of the project than the size of the lathe for determining the size of the tool. My lathe is a full sized one but my turnings are typically on the smaller size- rolling pins, 6" to 10" bowls/platters. But, lathe size will determine the max size of a project.

 

One tool, that is not an EWT, you probably want is a roughing gouge if you do a lot of square to round turnings. The EWT rougher is absolutely the best for creating tenons and making large rounds into smaller rounds but the roughing gouge is more suited for square to round.

 

Hope this helps.

Man what a post, it's just full of information that I can use, plus a lot of other people can too. Lew, you don't know how much I appreciate the work you put in on this post. About the roughing gouge, I was under the impression the square carbide cutter was I should use to go from square to round. Again, thank you, Lew.

1 minute ago, hawkeye10 said:

I was under the impression the square carbide cutter was I should use to go from square to round.

You can do that. It's just a little easier to get the basic round with a roughing gouge.

I have a customer that comfortably turns pens with our PRO sized tools....

I have a customer that turns really big bowls with our mid-sized tools....

Neither of them is wrong.  So to cop-out of a solid answer for you I would say whatever is comfortable for you.

I've personally found the mid-size tools to be a great size for a large range of projects, they are the ones I usually grab first, and I have a couple of everything we make.

Hope this helps a little.  Good luck!

5 hours ago, Jim from Easy Wood Tools said:

I have a customer that comfortably turns pens with our PRO sized tools....

I have a customer that turns really big bowls with our mid-sized tools....

Neither of them is wrong.  So to cop-out of a solid answer for you I would say whatever is comfortable for you.

I've personally found the mid-size tools to be a great size for a large range of projects, they are the ones I usually grab first, and I have a couple of everything we make.

Hope this helps a little.  Good luck!

Thanks for your input, Jim.  

9 hours ago, Jim from Easy Wood Tools said:

I've personally found the mid-size tools to be a great size for a large range of projects, they are the ones I usually grab first, and I have a couple of everything we make.

If I admitted what brand I have been using all these years I would have my Woodturning Brotherhood status revoked, probably be burned at the stake in oil then glazed with tar and finally feathers added. 

 

My only saving grace would be I keep them sharp and clean.

 

Will be ordering a couple as soon as one of two things happens.  Another neighbor needs brakes and has money, or I win the lottery.  It's a 50-/50 crap shoot how that goes.

7 hours ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

If I admitted what brand I have been using all these years I would have my Woodturning Brotherhood status revoked, probably be burned at the stake in oil then glazed with tar and finally feathers added. 

 

My only saving grace would be I keep them sharp and clean.

 

Will be ordering a couple as soon as one of two things happens.  Another neighbor needs brakes and has money, or I win the lottery.  It's a 50-/50 crap shoot how that goes.

As long as you are turning, and enjoying yourself...  that is the most important thing.  Turn safe and have fun, that's the important part.  As for those out there that judge for the type or brand I turn with, I have no time for them.

10 hours ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

If I admitted what brand I have been using all these years I would have my Woodturning Brotherhood status revoked, probably be burned at the stake in oil then glazed with tar and finally feathers added. 

No worries.  I, too, use Harbor Freight turning tools.  Along with EWT, Robert Sorby, and some home made tools my Dad had.

 

23 hours ago, lew said:

One tool, that is not an EWT, you probably want is a roughing gouge if you do a lot of square to round turnings

I guess everyone's experience is different.  For me, yes, the traditional roughing gouge is best for turning large squares to round, but since I have mostly done pens and smaller bowls, I have found the EWT rougher to be better.  I find I don't get as many catches with the EWT.  I tend to go back and forth between the EWT tools and traditional tools on the same project.  Partly because sometimes on a certain part of the project, the other tool seems more comfortable, and partly so that I can develop/maintain some degree of proficiency with both styles.

2 hours ago, PostalTom said:

For me, yes, the traditional roughing gouge is best for turning large squares to round

I should have been more clear. That's what I was picturing in my mind when I was typing.

Guys, I ordered a 3 piece set of EWT full-size tools and they should be here tomorrow. I bought them through Amazon and they had the best price of anyone that I could find. I should be a top-notch turner by tomorrow night.  

13 hours ago, Jim from Easy Wood Tools said:

As for those out there that judge for the type or brand I turn with, I have no time for them.

You should see what goes on in automotive tech shops.  Unbelievable the die hards and opinions.  Like a neighborhood gossip group.  Still a good laugh though.

 

Did have a stroke of fortune come my way today, brake and axle replacement job at home.  Nice change for simple work that won't take long.  Can't burn it till I have it but soon enough.  Want to give one of these mini's a test run see what I can butcher,  I mean turn.