Purchasing chisels

Re: Purchasing chisels

Richard Allen

>Hi Craig

Penn State has Benjemans Best which are HSS made in China. They have been selling out. The prices are terrific and the tools are fine.

Woodcraft has a new line Pinicale which is HSS made in China. The prices aren't quite as good as the Penn State tools but they are a LOT less than Sorby (and less than the Woodcraft store brand). Woodcraft has a one year warenty on everything they sell. So if you don't like the tools you can return them.

Harbor Freight sells a set of HSS tools for the best price. Even if you only like a couple of tools in the set you are ahead of the game.

The days of Sorby are numbered.

Good Luck

Richard

Re: Purchasing chisels

JamieDonaldson

>Craig- buying a set of tools is usually not a good investment-seldom will you use all of the set, and then you still have to buy the specific tools you need. As your turning and tool usage improve you will need fewer tools, and a basic selection is best made one tool at a time.

Re: Purchasing chisels

Richard Allen

>Jamie

That is fine and sound wisdom. Especialy when tools cost $50 - $200 each. That wisdom fails me when a set of tools cost $35.

Harbor Freight turning tool set

The Craft Supplies House brand of 3/4" roughing gouge cost more than the entire set from Harbor Freight.

Good Luck

Richard

Re: Purchasing chisels

John K Jordan

>I'm not familiar with either the Craft Supplies or Harbor Freight tools, but I bought a cheap set of tools when I got my first (cheap) lathe and didn't know any better. After buying good tools from Sorby, Crown, etc, I found the cheap set to be practically worthless in comparison and eventually gave them (and the lathe) away. To some extent, I think the quality of the tools is almost more important than the quality of the lathe.

I believe the better tools encourage good work while lesser tools actually discourage. Same thing with sharpening.

While I am always looking for good deals, I think scrimping on cutting tools is not a good way to start. Are there used tools available on Ebay or somewhere? (I once bought a used Elsworth gouge for $10 from a very kind fellow.)

JKJ in East TN

Re: Purchasing chisels

Carol Reed - Strawberry, AZ

>I am going to weigh in here. I am definitely a newbie when it comes to turning. I am definitely not a newbie to flat woodworking. I have been self-employed as a woodworker for twenty years. I also spent 4-1/2 years teaching woodworking at my local community college (in California - don't live there anymore). So I understand something about tools, especially the ones that are supposed to have sharp edges.

Poor (read 'cheap' here) cutting tools are the single greatest discourager I can think of. Having said that, one really good tool can be made to do so much more than one thinks.

When I decided to learn to turn, I took some lessons from Wally Dickerman. Now, I did have some inferior turning tools and tried to use them before those lessons. He genrously allowed me use of his tools and what a difference!

Lesson learned. Get one really good tool and use it as creatively and safely as possible. Then get another and another at the tool fund allows.

Long story short. The brown truck was just here with a large box from Craft Supplies. In it, a few really nice Henry Taylor tools and the Oneway jig. Now to set up the grinder and dress the tools.

If only it would quit snowing and get warmer! My shop is under the carport! Little breezy in this kind of weather.

Oh, well. I have an Andi Wolfe seminar to go to on Saturday. That will hold me for a bit.

Re: Purchasing chisels

Craig Deere

>Thank you Carol for your input. I just purchased the Harbor Freight tool set in HSS for $35. I did use a Sorby spindle chisel in a pen class. So I'll let you know if see much difference. Thanks again for your thoughts.