Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Turning tools
Blair
>I am looking for a good set of tools to get started. I want to be able to perform a variety of tasks and also want the tools to be quality. Any suggestions of specific sets and where to purchase them? I live around Toronto, canada.
Thanks,
Blair
Re: Turning tools
MP Wall
>I think a lot of turners on this site and others will tell you to forego the sets. You pay for tools you won't use that often or could do without. Tool selection denpends on the direction of your turning. If bowls are in your future your selection should include a 1/2 bowl gouge, parting tool and a round nose or shear scraper. If spindles or boxes are in the cards then a couple of spindle gouges, flat scrapers and a parting tool should be the main concern.
I use a lot of P&N tools, now sold by several entities both in print and on web. I buy them unhandled and put nice big handles on my bowl gouges and big skews. I like their quality, edge holding and prices. Craft supplies and other sellers have some lines that are good values.
If you are going to use a sharpening jig get high speed steel tools. If you are going to freehand sharpen it is a good idea to get a set of cheapo carbon steel tools to learn to sharpen on. That way you don't waste expensive tools steel learning to sharpen.
Welcome to the addicts club of turning and good luck on your decision.
MP Wall
Re: Turning tools
Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL
>Ditto to that. I have several (4-5) P&N tools. While they are not Glaser quality, they are at least the equal to a Sorby or Crown or Taylor (IMHO). The Price is right. It is what I recommend for the beginner, good quality w/o high price.
Learning to turn handles is a great exercise for the beginner. (Yeah, I know, how do you turn the first one - drill a hole in a broom stick and stick the spindle gouge in it to get you by.... ;) )
Mark
Re: Turning tools *LINK*
Andy in Raleigh
>I am going to buch the conventional wisdom and point at a set. I just placed an order based on another turner's recommendation and it is on sale right now. A 6 piece HSS set for about $60 delivered. The 6 pieces include a roughing gouge, skew, bowl gouge, spindle gouge, parting tool and scraper, all of which are pretty commonly used tools. I think the sets to avoid are the ones with less variety - 6 gouges of slightly different widths or whatnot.
6 piece HSS turning set