I've seen different sets of carbide tools with wide variations in price. I know people say you get what you pay for but has anyone bought the cheaper ones and was able to tell the difference? It seems to me as long as it holds the cutter straight it should work regardless of price. I have been turning off and on for about two years so I'm not an expert but not exactly new. Just asking for options. 

First, welcome Donald to The Patriot Woodworker. Happy you found us and joined right in.

 

I'm not a turner but admire the great talent we have here. I'm sure several will jump in soon to offer their advice and experience. Great to have you here from the Peach State. Love the greater Savanah area.

Thanks for the welcoming. This is the first woodworking forum I've joined and I hope to get and eventually give some good tips and advice. 

26 minutes ago, User74 said:

Thanks for the welcoming. This is the first woodworking forum I've joined and I hope to get and eventually give some good tips and advice. 

Howdy 74!

Welcome to our little corner of the woodworking world, appreciate you posting already and settling right in. I turn a little bit, and my only frame of reference is turning with Easy Wood carbide Tools, they are a sponsor here and back in the early days when they were making a splash on the market, I found a few of their tools and got em and loved em, since I am not a good turner, these truly were Easy.

But I know you are looking for something less expensive. Have you ever thought of purchasing the shaft and carbide and making your own handles? You could get a quality tool at less cost and you'd have some handles you are proud of. Just a suggestion, I wish I could help you more, but like I said, my turning is pretty limited to spindles for chairs, nothing fancy.

 

Here is a link:

I am not sure how much they cost, I am trying to find a price.

 

Unhandled Tools | Easy Wood Tools

WWW.EASYWOODTOOLS.COM

 

4 minutes ago, John Morris said:

Howdy 74!

Welcome to our little corner of the woodworking world, appreciate you posting already and settling right in. I turn a little bit, and my only frame of reference is turning with Easy Wood carbide Tools, they are a sponsor here and back in the early days when they were making a splash on the market, I found a few of their tools and got em and loved em, since I am not a good turner, these truly were Easy.

But I know you are looking for something less expensive. Have you ever thought of purchasing the shaft and carbide and making your own handles? You could get a quality tool at less cost and you'd have some handles you are proud of. Just a suggestion, I wish I could help you more, but like I said, my turning is pretty limited to spindles for chairs, nothing fancy.

 

I have actually thought about doing that. My only concern was if where the shaft would go in the handle would be strong enough. I really don't have a way to make a collet for it. I've seen some sets that had the long handle that can be changed out. I just noticed that some were significantly cheaper but looked the same as some of the more expensive ones. Yesterday I ordered a set of three off Amazon from Simply Woodworking (I believe that was he company). They wound up being just over $200 so I guess this post is obsolete. Lol I don't mind paying a little more for good tools but if I can save a bit on something that will do the work it would be awesome. 

3 minutes ago, User74 said:

Yesterday I ordered a set of three off Amazon from Simply Woodworking (I believe that was he company).

Well congrats 74! Hey would you mind linking us to those tools? I am curious what you found. And you know what, obsolete is what we do best around here

9 minutes ago, John Morris said:

Well congrats 74! Hey would you mind linking us to those tools? I am curious what you found. And you know what, obsolete is what we do best around here

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H7VVNNB/ref=pe_386300_440135490_TE_simp_item_image 

 

Wow, I can't believe I actually figured out how to do that link thing. I am not tech savvy at all. Lol. I probably should have wrote notes down cause I just know someone is going to ask me to do it again. 

Well those look pretty nice 74! If you can please review them once you get em in, and tell us how you like em, we'd love to hear from ya! How fun!

1 hour ago, John Morris said:

Here is a link:

I am not sure how much they cost, I am trying to find a price.

 

Unhandled Tools | Easy Wood Tools

WWW.EASYWOODTOOLS.COM

 

Have a request in to EWT Customer Service.

1 hour ago, User74 said:

I have actually thought about doing that. My only concern was if where the shaft would go in the handle would be strong enough. I really don't have a way to make a collet for it. I've seen some sets that had the long handle that can be changed out

IIRC, one of our resident turners @Steve Krumanakermade several handles using brass compression unions for the collets. Pretty clever idea. Hopefully Steve will check in with some advice.

@User74  Donald, Welcome! 

 

About your inquiry on the carbide cutters, There is definitely a difference in the quality of carbide available, on the market and you are right about getting what you pay for. The composition/quality of the carbide used for making the cutters varies from one company to another and that is what really affects how long the cutters remain sharp enough to be useful. 

 

Somewhere I saw a picture of an inexpensive carbide cutter that was badly worn. I'll try to find it.

 

All the turners here know I am fond of Easy Wood Tools. 

 

Over the years I have bought tools and later replaced them with better versions and felt I would have been better just springing for the better tool the first go round.  A lot of times it is just a few dollars difference.

Prices for unhandled tool bars from Easy Wood Tools-

 

 

-Mini Rougher: $74.99

-Mini Finisher: $74.99

-Mini Detailer: $74.99

-Mid-Size Rougher: $101.99

-Mid-Size Finisher: $101.99

-Mid-Size Detailer: $101.99

-Full-Size Rougher: $112.49

-Full-Size Finisher: $112.49

-Full-Size Detailer: $112.49

-Mid-Size Hollower #1: 112.49

-Mid-Size Hollower #2: $122.99

-Mid-Size Hollower #3: 122.99

 

As per EWT Customer Service.

Also- https://www.easywoodtools.com/unhandled

1 hour ago, lew said:

Also- https://www.easywoodtools.com/unhandled

Hey Lew, any idea where the prices are published?

 

23 minutes ago, John Morris said:

Hey Lew, any idea where the prices are published?

 

No, Jordan sent that list in an email. Looks like she may have typed it from her sources

4 minutes ago, lew said:

No, Jordan sent that list in an email. Looks like she may have typed it from her sources

Just checked the EWT demonstrator's resources and nothing there.

15 minutes ago, lew said:

Just checked the EWT demonstrator's resources and nothing there.

Jordan pointed out that I'm an idiot-

https://www.easywoodtools.com/shop-unhandled

Welcome to the forums @User74. not a turner myself but hope @lew has provided help for you. A great group of guys here. No attitudes, just friendly and very helpful.

First welcome to the forums. As to quality of the cheap carbides with handle you will find that those handles are basically just hollow tubes and light weight. I cannot speak for handle longevity. As to making a handle you do not need a collet, just use copper (tubing) Ferrell and drill and tap for set (Allen) screws if you want the bar removable. 

 

Now as to carbide quality there are many types carbide just like there are many formulas for HSS. I understand that Mike Hunter (Hunter Tools) has a special formula for his unique cupped cutters, the best in my opinion. I am sure Easy Wood also has a special formula. Probably the cheap tool carbide would not last.

 

I have one EWT finisher and it cuts end grain very well but not as good for box sides. Hunter will do both very well. 

 

Overall the cheap tools may work until you decide what you want but would not do as well as the finer grades,