In the market for turning tools

[Cliff]

I have a nice little Buck Bros detail gouge and an antique Craftsman 5/8" spindle rougher the rest of my tools are crud.

So I'm looking.

I like the cherry red hardness of HSS. Dunno about powdered metals. I've read how marvelously wonderful they are hold edge longer yadda yadda but not one single word about whether a careless moment will take the temper out of them on the grinder.

Any one know?

Read this on what I should have just to get up in the morning.

http://www.woodworkersinstitute.com/page.asp?p=927

Dunno why the French scraper is on that list

Care to comment on the completeness of this list?

Been to Doug Thompson's site. He doesn't have every tool you might want but he has many.

I emailed him with a query yesterday around 2pm and so far he hasn't replied.

 

I've looked at Sorby's HSS tools. they have a kit of 6 a kit of 8

17 - 21" total length for their tools

Sorby a good tool?

 

Thompson offers dimensions.

 

Dunno know If I need to buy their handles.

 

Believe I recall a guy who said he made his for Thompson tools. Dunno about the geometry of the handles and how to make 'em stay put in wood. Dunno of he epoxied 'em in or what.

I can make my own speedy change handles and just have a couple one long and one short for those times when you nee extra length

 

Any one care to comment on making longer handles to nestle under you arm?

What about Hurricane tools.Any one use 'em?

[lew]

 

As for what tools to buy- that's opening a whole can of worms! I would ask what are you going to turn? Is it primarily between centers? That type of turning doesn't require any "bowl" tools. Going to try face plate work? Then the bowl gouges and scrapers are more in line with what you want. All that said, some of the "starter sets" have tools you'll probably not use often. However, the set you referenced is very nice. I like that type of scraper because it permits working on the inside of a bowl without swinging the handle as far over the lathe bed. I think I would opt for a "less thick" parting tool. A 1/16" tool parts off with little waste and effort- especially nice for those fragile turnings. I have converted to a oval skew with a curved end- fewer catches but not as easy to make V cuts.

I have never used any of Doug Thompson's tools but they look really nice. Personal opinion here- I like a handle on each tool. When turning, I don't want to stop and exchange a handle. Wooden handles, permanently attached does it for me.

 

Here's a video on making a handle for his tool-

Sorby Tools are really nice. I have one of their spiral/texture tool. Still learning to use it. It is really well made- heavy and handles well.If I had the funds, I would have more Sorby tools.

Long handles are good. Nice balance and control especially on larger pieces.

Hope this helps

[Ron Dudelston]

Cliff, try the EWT tools. In fact, I believe we have a loaner set floating around the site somewhere.

[Cliff]

I have never been a fan of carbide inserts where they don't serve a function that I can't accomplish some other way.

 

Examples of places I'd use them

1) My shellix JP cutterblock. It does things that straight blades just can't

2) A hollowing tool because - - well without an insert or rebrazeable bit of HSS one would eventually grind one's tool away.

The reason I don't prefer inserts is that they have the user going back to the store when he needs a sharp edge.

I just dropped a king's ransom on Thompson lathe tools. Didn't buy their handles.

[John Moody]

Cliff, I have a couple of Doug Thompson Tools and they are awesome. Handle changing it a breeze. I have one of his custom octagonal handles.

 

I also have a Trent Bosch handle.

 

 

I have had good responses over the years from Doug Thompson so I hope he contacts  you back. His tools are fairly priced and custom made.

 

 

http://www.thompsonlathetools.com/

 

 

Trent Bosch has a site at

 

 

http://trentbosch.com/

[Cliff]

Yah he got back to me. He was in some kind of conference so it took him a couple days.

No discounts though Darn~!!

The steel is tempered at upward to a thousand degrees so grinding over heat is unlikely unless you are turning the tools red.

[John Moody]

Here is my Thompson handle Cliff.

 

And my Trent Bosch Handle.

Both handles allow you to change out the chisels. I have a couple of Thompson's and I love them. They hold an edge really good. I know they seem a little high, but I can tell you they are so nice to use. And since you can change them out they are cheaper than buying the models that come with a handle.

 

[Cliff]

They are nice.

At $55 a pop I think I'll turn handles. Setting them is the question. I may just use epoxy instead of grinding on the round handle end.

I was thinking of turning 9 (Yep 9) ferrules from steel or brass tapping for set screws and using them inside the wood handles.They'd make 'em changeable with an Allen wrench  But I think I prefer a dedicated handle so the ferrules may be redundant and unnecessary.

Right now I'm building my rip on the Tormek. I have a 5/8" horizontal bar with plenty of rigidity and adjustment built in all set up with the furniture all welded up tapped drilled and assembled on my grinder.

Now, I'm going to set about building the various attachments. The gouge attachment is first on the list.

I think second will be a diamond point dressing attachment.

I figure: Why spend a thousand dollars or more on something I can build?

I think I'll skip trying to build their drill sharpener. I can hand sharpen any size drill bit I can hold in my hands. Sometimes I even get it so that steel chips come out evenly from each flute.

[lew]

Can't disagree on the expense of the Tormek. I bought mine when they first became available and it was more expensive than my table saw. That said, it does do a great job.

I never go to yard/garage sales, but, one day I was walking and a guy was selling tools. He had the Deluxe Drill Doctor for $30. For someone who couldn't sharpen a drill bit if their life depended on it (me)- it is a God send.