Hurricane Tools

Re: Hurricane Tools

Dick Coers

My theory, you get what you pay for. I own lots of brands since I've been buying for over 30 years. I won't be buying many more at this age, but I'll only buy Thompson from here out.

Re: Hurricane Tools

David Walser

Jerry -- The Hurricane line of cryogenic turning tools are made for The Woodtunring Store by Crown in the UK. They are made to the Woodturning store's specifications, so they may not be the same as Crown's own line of tools. (Craft Supplies USA's Artisan line is made by Henry Taylor to CSUSA's specifications. The main difference is that the Artisan tools are not as well polished as are the Henry Taylor branded tools. This allows CSUSA to sell them to turners for less than other UK or USA made tools.)

The Hurricane cryogenic tools are made from M2 HSS, but are tempered using a cryogenic process that should increase the tool's edge-holding ability. Thompson's tools are also tempered with a cryogenic process, but they are made with a higher grade steel [CPM10V (A-11)]. So, the Crown-made cryo tools may be better than their regular HSS tools, but they are unlikely to hold an edge as well as those made from a better steel, such as Thompson's.

HTH

Re: Hurricane Tools

Jerry Maske

Guess those two posts sort of say it all. Thanks, guys.

Jerry

Re: Hurricane Tools

David Walser

Jerry -- I didn't intend to say that Hurricane's cryo tools aren't a good value. While I don't think they're as "good" as Thompson's tools, they are less expensive and could be a good choice for a budget-minded turner. Particularly if someone is just trying out a particular type of turning, it might make sense to buy a less expensive, but still quality, tool.

I have several of CSUSA's Artisan branded tools. While not quite finished to Henry Taylor's standards, I think they represent an excellent value and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. I also have several Thompson tools. Doug's tools hold an edge better than the Artisans, but that's not a big advantage for a tool I only use occasionally.

Re: Hurricane Tools

John K Jordan

Some steels do hold and edge longer, but I wonder about the effective difference between the better metals today, HSS, cryo-treated 10v, etc.

Even the cheapest tools we can buy now must be better than what turners used in the 1800s, 1700s, and earlier. Look at some of the incredible things done on lathes a couple of hundred years ago.

JKJ

Re: Hurricane Tools

Bill Blasic

An Artisan 1/2" bowl gouge is $87.50 where a Thompson 1/2" V is $65. Yes the Artisan comes with a wooden handle but you can make a handle for a couple bucks. The value of having a tool that the edge lasts way longer that costs less than a secondary value gouge is significant. I would also bet that the Artisan as it gets ground away gets less hard as it gets used because of the way it is heat treated. Another fact is that the Thompsons are American made steel processed by an American company, as stated "Made by a Woodturner for Woodturners"

And Doug is a stand up good guy......

JamieDonaldson

...on top of all that!

Re: And Doug is a stand up good guy......

Dick Hines

Years ago Wood Central and a secret Santa at Christmas. I got a cowboy hat turned by Doug. It's beautiful. Along with the hat was a spindle gouge. That was my first Thompson tool. It must have been 8-10 years ago. I have used nothing but Doug' s tool since.

Not is he a great tool maker but he is one fine person.

Just saying!!!!

Re: And Doug is a stand up good guy......

mkauder

What many do not know is that Thompson Turning Tools was born here on WoodCentral.

About 10 years ago on one of the evening turning chats, I got into a heated discussion with Doug about the value of Glazer tools, and all the fancy metals and cryo treatments, etc, etc.

Basically at some point, Doug was telling me that he thought he could make a better tool, at a cheaper price. I told him he was full of it. A few weeks later, I got a gouge in the mail, and damned if he was not right.

And the rest they say is now history.

Mark Kauder