Morning everybody, my name is Andrew, I stumbled on this forum site basically searching for information on Carbide tipped wood lathe tools for wood turning.  I recently purchased a small benchtop wood lathe, worked nicely right out of the box.  Its pretty basic.  Just getting started.  I was doing the black smithing thing for a while until my management told me I wasn't allowed to do it in the park any longer so I had to do something that wasnt related to having an open flame on my property, so in the end wood turning seemed like a better alternative.  I've taken at least 4 years worth of high school wood shop but this was years and years ago now, so it's been one heck of a learning curve just jumping in and getting something onto a wood lathe and start turning.  I've already got a project up and running.  But I made the dumb dumb mistake of buying a cheapo set of high speed steel chisels off of amazon, quickly learned that that was a bad idea.  How ever I have just ordered a set of carbide tipped tools.  I do have a 2x72 at the house that I had purchased for the forging but is now being re purposed for wood working.   I also wouldn't mind getting back into making boxes and what not at some point just need to get my hands on a decent small table saw.  I have a small budget for that for about 200 bucks but less than 300.  Anyhow that's pretty much how I wound up into the wood working hobby. (Small side note, I am a disabled vet, I did forget to mention that.)

Edited May 24, 20205 yr by AndrewB

Andrew  Welcome to TPW, lots of good tips and such here in the Woodturners forums. Try this link  TPW turning forums

 

12 minutes ago, AndrewB said:

But I made the dumb dumb mistake of buying a cheapo set of high speed steel chisels off of amazon

While I am a big fan of carbide tipped tools from Easy Wood Tools  I assure you with some sandpaper or a honing stone you can make HSS chisels razor sharp and turn some beautiful projects.  

 

These were all made with inexpensive HSS chisels.

 

19 minutes ago, AndrewB said:

I have a small budget for that for about 200 bucks but less than 300.

Watch CL, visit some yard sales you never know when a deal is to be had.  

So far I don't mind grinding tools to sharpen them.  I have a pretty good estimate of angles to hit for them from sharpening knives on my belt sander, either way buying the cheap set of tools which was probably a noob mistake of mine of course not knowing what to buy, is what lead me to purchasing a set of carbide tools.   But with the tools that I do have using the gouge which did come loose from the handle which I'm asuming is due to the simple fact that they were cheap tools say less than 30 dollars.  I know I can make my own it would be easy enough to do, how ever with what I have done so far here is a couple pictures.  Now I've opted to use the face plate to start off with.  I've got a mix of walnut and oak I believe.  It may even be fir.  How ever the images I have down below is what I've got started just to kind of practice and learn around I did not want to learn on cheap 2 x 4s something told me that would have been a bad idea.

 

Edited May 24, 20205 yr by AndrewB

Hi Andrew and Welcome!

 

Thank you, Sir, for your service.

 

Watch for our Wednesday’s Wisdom For Woodturners. We are always looking for projects, ideas and suggestions. Please jump in and tell us what you think!

42 minutes ago, AndrewB said:

So far I don't mind grinding tools to sharpen them.  I have a pretty good estimate of angles to hit for them from sharpening knives on my belt sander, either way buying the cheap set of tools which was probably a noob mistake of mine of course not knowing what to buy, is what lead me to purchasing a set of carbide tools.   But with the tools that I do have using the gouge which did come loose from the handle which I'm asuming is due to the simple fact that they were cheap tools say less than 30 dollars.  I know I can make my own it would be easy enough to do, how ever with what I have done so far here is a couple pictures.  Now I've opted to use the face plate to start off with.  I've got a mix of walnut and oak I believe.  It may even be fir.  How ever the images I have down below is what I've got started just to kind of practice and learn around I did not want to learn on cheap 2 x 4s something told me that would have been a bad idea.

 

Looks like you have a great start! Nothing wrong with using a faceplate. 

 

I think we all started with one of those inexpensive sets. Most of mine were given away but a couple were re-ground into specialized tools. 

 

Looking forward to seeing more of your work!

45 minutes ago, AndrewB said:

I did not want to learn on cheap 2 x 4s something told me that would have been a bad idea.

Exactly, my Mother did that and hit a knot.  The kickback scared her and she gave up on it.  You test set up is a good one.  You should be able to feel the difference in hardness with each wood as you come across your blank with a chisel.  

Welcome, Andrew. And, thank you for your service! Lots of great turners here. A few of us piddle with flat work, too. 

Thanks, yea its just a hobby I've been looking at eventually when I can afford to I will probably look into getting a bigger lathe, I only have a carport shed to work out of at the moment so not too much room to work with.  I've been watching some reviews on the harbor freight lathe but I'm not sure if I would go that route or not I've had some good luck how ever lately with HF tools.  I've also been watching quite a few youtube videos on how toos and what not.  I always do my research if I want to try something out or buy something.  Especially if I'm buying in expensive stuff I will look for reviews and videos to see if it will be worth it.  Although to be fair the very first bit I guess I didnt have line up correctly in the lathe it wobbled on me, went to dig in with the chisel and next thing I know i have a chunk flyin out at me lol.  OOOOOOOOOPS.  So because it is a small lathe and Id have to actually move the belt to change the speeds I will probably be trying to look for rounded stock or for the time being or at least cutting and then sanding down to round for a safer out come until I can get more comfortable with working with the tools. 

Hello Andrew and welcome to the site.  Glad to have another tuner and look forward to your participation.

9 hours ago, AndrewB said:

So because it is a small lathe and Id have to actually move the belt to change the speeds

Both my lathes are this way, never have upgraded to Variable Speed Motors and such.  Good turning can be done with the basics. 

 

Watch for @lew's weekly turning post on Wednesdays.  LOTS of good stuff for all levels and his video selection has been fantastic.  Have learned alot from just those.

Welcome aboard Andrew, and thank you for your service.

I have found pawn shops to be a decent source for tools.  Just know what it is and what your alternatives are before buying.  Most of them that I deal with will negotiate on the price also.

@Gunny  I haven't quite figured out how to exactly change the belt speed just as of yet I still have to build a different table for the lathe, for right now its sitting on what its sitting just because of ease of just getting started.  How ever the downside to its location is the simple fact that the belt access is not easy to get to where its sitting, since I am only working out of a little carport shed.  Not a ton of space.  @Cal  I usually prefer to buy brand new rather than used that way I know for sure what I am getting.  I usually do the same thing with my gaming rig when I buy parts for it.

 

3 minutes ago, AndrewB said:

I haven't quite figured out how to exactly change the belt speed just as of yet I still have to build a different table for the lathe, for right now its sitting on what its sitting just because of ease of just getting started.

Maybe @Larry Buskirk can give some ideas on this.  Post a picture of your current set up as is.  In Iraq we didn't have much access to tools.  When I needed a lathe we used a cordless drill and a makeshift set up.  Was not pretty but I worked with what I had available.  

 

5 minutes ago, AndrewB said:

Not a ton of space. 

Oh I feel ya on that one.  I have plenty of stuff I would like to have and zero room for expansion.  Basically I want a 10,000 square foot shop to eliminate this pesky need more room issue.  

 

7 minutes ago, AndrewB said:

I usually prefer to buy brand new rather than used that way I know for sure what I am getting. 

True, sometimes.  But as an example I got this 12 inch Grizzly disc sander for $100 used.  Plus the guy was happy I spoke Russian and we could do the deal in his language so he threw in the extra sandpaper disc for free.   I got started 30 years ago with all hand me down or its broke so I got it and fixed it stuff.  A good amount of those pieces of equipment are still with me today, and working well.  

 

 

That's not too bad I've got my good old 2 x 72 inch belt sander which pretty much has me covered for sanders for the moment, haven't quite gotten as far as looking into a disc sander just yet.  Although I have a little 2x48 inch belt sander with a disc sander on it so I'm pretty sure that could be useful.

4 minutes ago, AndrewB said:

Although I have a little 2x48 inch belt sander with a disc sander on it so I'm pretty sure that could be useful.

Oh yeah, have an old craftsman like that myself.  Love that thing.  Had to make a holder to keep the disc table steady and have DC but hey some time and effort and you have something very useful.  You just have to be creative.  I paint or finish all my stuff but this is NOT required.  It doesn't have to be pretty, just work.  

Actually the funny thing is my 2x48 with disc is a craftsman HAHA ordered it off Amazon a couple years ago when I first got into trying out knife making.

Welcome Andrew, and Thank You for your service. 

Watch Craigs-List there are deals to be found. 

I've actually gotten some of my best finds "Curb Shopping" 

 

 

Yea I usually don't buy on craigs list lol I probably should but then again curb shopping and ebay and those sorts of sites even though I did get my belt sander from ebay its sort of an iffy for me since I don't really know too well what exactly I'm looking for with that.  So far at least starter tools I used those junk chisels which I don't plan on using but I think I'll go with the carbides.  Still on the hunt for a decent table saw of bench top type so I can move it outside under the carport and make cuts, so I've been shoping around some decent ones out there for less than 200 bucks since I have to stick to a decent budget for tools.  I'll probably be on the market soon for a decent chop saw as well and yes a chainsaw although that may have to be electric, I have a nice big round sitting outside in my carport right now, that I was yes using for an anvil stand.  It did its job it came from my parents back yard from a downed tree how ever I would like to take that and turn something out of it not even sure what type of tree it is.  Its probably most likely either Fir or Pine.  How ever  those are the long run plans at least.  Sorry that stubbornness in me gives me that iffy feeling about used tools.

Edited May 25, 20205 yr by AndrewB

Depends upon what you are looking for.

I'm into the 1930's Delta stuff myself.

A lot of the old machines had attachments for doing more than 1 job.

There were disc sanding tables that were a lathe attachment, etc.

I got this Drill Press from "Curb Shopping"

And this Planer.

 

I mean yea you can't beat free if I can get a lathe or a decent peace of machinery for free and if its in good working order than yea that is worth it LOL.