Beal Woodturning Scraper Set

Re: Beal Woodturning Scraper Set *LINK*

David Walser

Bob -- Thanks for the mention of Beall's scraper set. I'd not seen it and have never used it. That won't prevent me from expressing an opinion! (I often find facts a hindrance to forming and holding acceptable opinions.)

Beall makes exceptional products that are well thought out and well made. On that basis, I wouldn't have any concern in buying and using the tools. My only concern is with their design. Beall has machined a cove for it's beading tool from top to bottom on one end of the cutting bit. Contrast this design with D-Way's method of machining a cove along the length of the tool. With D-Way's design, you have several inches of tool that can be ground away as you sharpen the tool as it becomes dull. D-Way's beading tools will last most turners several lifetimes.

With Beall's design, you have a 1/4" thick tool bit. To sharpen, you'll use a diamond card file (or something similar) on the top of the tool to create a new edge -- reducing the thickness of the tool bit. Not much material can be sharpened away before running out of tool! Of course, if you're comfortable with your grinding skills, you could always extend the cove back and use up the next inch or so of steel. In that case, the bit should last a very long time and new 1/4" bits are cheap. But, if your grinding skills are that good, why buy the Beall scraper (or the D-way beading tool) to begin with? You can just make your own.

Here's a link to Lee Valley's listing for the tool:


Beall Woodturning Scraper

Re: Beal Woodturning Scraper Set

Gary clarke

I like my D- Way tools, just my 2 cents