Turning Tools for Newbie

11/29/07, 8:29 PM #1

Justin Fields
Guest

Turning Tools for Newbie

Justin Fields

>Hello.

I'm just getting started with turning and I'd love some advice on turning tools. This is a hobby for me, not anything like a professional aspiration. So, I'd like to get some basic tools, but I don't want them to be so cheap and junky that I end up sort-changing myself on quality over the long term.

Do you have any advice on a way to proceed with this purchase in a sensible way? For example, I've looked at kits at WoodCraft (the club where I work is one of their locations), Rockler, etc. Are those pre-packaged selections from one manufacturer (Crown Pro-PM, Sorby, etc.) worthwhile?

Any thoughts or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Justin

Re: Turning Tools for Newbie

11/29/07, 9:00 PM #2

Don Orr
Member
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3,243 posts

Registered: 1/2/04

Re: Turning Tools for Newbie

Don Orr

>Hi Justin, You'll probably get more responses over on the Turning board. Put your cursor over "Message Boards" on the left and the menu will pop up.

In general, the pre packaged sets are often not the best choice. They can contain tools you might never use. For starters in spindle turning, the 4 bsiac spindel tools are;

Spindle Roughing Gouge

Spindle Gouge

Parting Tool

Skew.

For bowls and other face grain work you need bowl gouges and maybe some scrapers.

Watch for sales and don't go too crazy at first. You will grind away lots of metal as you learn to sharpen. Sharpening is a critical skill in turning.

Mostly just be safe and have fun-and practice, practice, practice.

See ya on the turning board!

- - -

My name is Don and I'm a Turning addict. There, I finally can admit I have a problem. The problem is not enough time to turn! I work as a Medical Imaging Tech for a living but that's just so I can light and heat the shop and buy more tools. I've been turning since 2000 and it has changed my life. I never had a creative outlet before I discoverd Woodturning and now I can't get enough. After I turned my first pen, my wonderful wife saw how excited I was and bought me a mini lathe. She now refers to herself as a "Turning Widow". She is a potter and quilter so she understands the obsession. My interests in turning are many and varied and I'm sure I will not live long enough to try everything I'd like to, but I'll give it a shot. Unfortunately we don't have any children or pets so you'd think I have all kinds of free time to turn, but for some reason I don't. I belong to the Adirondack Woodturners Association in upstate New York, the Mohawk Valley Woodturners, the Old Country Guild of Woodturnes and AAW, as well as the Northeastern Woodworkers Association. (I'd also like to learn to do flatwork someday.) Happy and Safe Turning, Don

Re: Turning Tools for Newbie

11/29/07, 9:15 PM #3

Don in Northern Arizona
Guest

Re: Turning Tools for Newbie

Don in Northern Arizona

>Justin,

I am a newbie turner too, so take this with that grain of salt. I don't think the sets are a good idea. There are always one or two tools you will seldom, if ever, use, and there are less expensive ways to go. Here is my suggestion for a starter set:

Big (1 1/4" or larger) roughing gouge AKA the newbies skew chisel.

7/16" or 1/2" finger nail grind spindle gouge

1" Skew chisel (oval, rolled edge, or *Raffan/Lacer)curved style.

1/2" bowl gouge

Diamond parting tool

1/2" or bigger round nose scraper

3 point tool

* These are expensive and you can grind your own from a cheaper standard skew

Most of these are available in high speed steel from less expensive makers. I like Penn State's Benjamin's Best and especially Packard's house brand. Craft Supplies' Artisan brand is probably fine too. Stay away from Cryo tools, powdered steel, and anything too fancy and expensive to begin with. I discovered too late that my powdered steel spindle gouge will burn on a grinder, and I like my Packard HSS one better.

Most important of all find an AAW turning club in your area (mine is 90 miles away, but I seldom miss a meeting), and learn how to sharpen.

If you go to the Turning forum, you will get a lot of good advice on this.

HTH,

Don

Turning Tools for Newbie

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