what carbide tool for woodturning rough turning

Hunter Hercules *LINK*

john lucas

I played all day one time roughing out really big out of round pieces of wood and switched back and forth between a 5/8" bowl gouge, and the Hunter Hercules. The Hercules put less stress on my shoulder. I used it as a scraper at first. Then when you get the bowl shape closer to what you want use it in a push cut bevel rubbing mode for a really clean finish and better control over the shape.

This one tool will do both the inside and outside. It cuts cleaner and stays sharp longer than the other carbide tools. I have some of the other brand tools and was surprised how quickly they lose their edge.

The tool is somewhat short overall so I put a long handle on it to give me more leverage and better control during the roughing. For finial shaping and cleaning up cuts I prefer the Hunter Osprey. It has a round shaft instead of the square one of the Hercules and I find it easier to control for finishing cuts. The Hercules will do these cuts. Simply tilt it the same way I would use the Osprey.

Go to www.youtube.com and type in John60lucas/Hercules and you can see how I use this tool.


http://huntertoolsystems.com/

Re: Hunter Hercules video  *LINK*


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzrLN8SQ8ms

Re: what carbide tool for woodturning rough turnin

Jim Breeden

Hunter! Yes, I was skeptical since I have the "other" kind of carbide. I was at the last Rocky Mountain Symposium, met Mike Hunter and bought the hollowing tool - wow - cuts like butta!

UnEasyWood

John K Jordan

I bought some Easy Wood Tools (roughing?) at a symposium soon after they first came out, two sizes. Never used again after the first test.

I'm sure they have their value but for what I wanted the difference between these and other carbide tools is like smoothing with an axe vs a good plane. (IMHO)

Just taking up space now. Maybe I'll give them away if someone wants them. I think I have some extra cutters somewhere and the little chip shield. Or, how about a WC benefit auction?

I have a pile of Hunter tools (not literally, that would chip the cutters) and can't say anything but good about them. Been using them for years and recently added the Osprey and the small hollowing tools. Well worth buying. Besides, Mikey is one o' them Real Nice Guys.

JKJ

Re: UnEasyWood

Jerry Maske

The EWT line has it's plus sides but it's not meant to replace your regular tools. I use the rounded tool, the finisher, a lot and it is a sweetheart. The detail tool, likewise, gets a lot of use. Never tried the square one yet. David Ellsworth taught me how to rough wood and I've never looked back.

Don't throw those EWT away until you've spent a little more time with them.

Re: UnEasyWood

john lucas

I've spent more time with them. I don't like them either. I can cut so much cleaner with a spindle gouge than the detailer will ever do. The round tool is not bad but a fresh burr on a round nose scraper will cut cleaner and the Hunter tool cuts cleaner and the edge lasts far longer.

The only real advantage is they have zero learning curve although quite often the shapes produced shows that. You also have to start sanding with a much courser grit. Once you really learn how to use a bowl gouge your shapes will be better and you can start sanding with much finer grits which not only saves time and mess but helps you keep any crisp details you put in a piece.

Re: UnEasyWood

Jerry Maske

Okay, I stand properly chastised. For sure, I agree with what you said. And I use all the "Traditional" tools to do all that stuff. My bride, however, does not, and the mini set is perfect for her. She's never been a fan of gouges. I do my best to change that, but have NOT been successful. In her hands, the EWT set is a blessing. I don't have to think about what she might be doing that could hurt her or if she's bothered to sharpen my tools she dulled! Marriages are filled with concessions.

In any case, I don't think the EWT set was ever intended to replace traditional tools. But there are times that the finishing tool will get into an inside space under a rim a whole lot easier and cleaner than anything else I've got on the rack.

One more tool in the tool box.

Re: UnEasyWood

Ron Bauer

If I am not mis-taken the question was what to use for rough turning. Personally I use Cap'n Eddy's round carbide cutters for roughing. They are inexpensive and extremely durable for roughing. They are not intended for the same use as Hunters. Besides, Cap'n Eddy is a nice guy too.