Time to replace tools

Re: Time to replace tools

Ron Solfest

Try Doug Thompson’s. You won’t find anything negative about these tools, or Doug, on the web. He’s a great guy. I have a couple of his tools and am very happy with them.

Re: Time to replace tools

John C Lucas

Ditto on thompson tools. Its hard to go.wrong with Sorby or Henry Taylor. Dway tools.are.also.rated.excellent.

Re: Time to replace tools

David Walser

In general, you'll want to avoid the Chinese made tools. Sometimes the Chinese HSS tools are properly heat treated and sometimes they're not. I have a couple of sets from Harbor Freight. Out of both sets, all the tools hold an edge except for one that I've turned into a specialty scraper. However, with all of them, the finish on them was rough and I had to spend some time with a file softening the edges of the skews and scrapers (or they won't slide smoothly on the tool rest). I've had the same spotty quality issues with a bunch of Chinese tools my well-meaning family bought me from Penn State.

Better quality, but still lower-cost, tools can be had from the 'house brands' at Craft Supplies USA and Packard Woodworks. Both are made in England by companies that have been producing high quality tools for decades. The CSUSA Artisan brand tools are made by Henry Taylor and the Packard Tools brand tools are made by Hamlet. The difference between the house brands and the regular English made tools is the polish isn't quite up to Henry Taylor's or Hamlet's usual standards. Still, you won't need to spend anytime with a file to make the tools ready to use.

If you want name brand tools, any of the English brands -- Sorby, Crown, Henry Taylor, and Hamlet -- represent good quality. (Just make sure they're actually made in England.) However, there are now some very good, if not better, brands made in the USA. These include Thompson, D-way, and Carter and Son.

Of these, I prefer Thompson. I prefer Thompson because he offers a fuller line of tools. Having said that, none of the domestic makers offer as many different types and sizes of tools as are available from England.

HTH

Re: Time to replace tools

John K Jordan

I have a variety, Crown, Sorby, more. My favorites are also Thompsons, along with the Hunter Hercules.

JKJ

Thanks to all

Bruce, a MN Galoot

I took a look at the Thompson tool site, and they certainly seem to be what I’m looking for. Certainly competitively priced, too.

Does anyone have any idea what the Rc is on the tools?

Re: Thanks to all

Dick Hines

I have been using Doug's tools since 2007. You can get his tools with out handles. Then turn your own. Cuts down on the cost of tools.

Re: Thanks to all

David Walser

Bruce -- I found the following by searching for "Rockwell" on Thompson's website:

"The tools are made from the best steel on the market, CPM10V (A-11) a powder metal manufactured by Crucible Materials Corporations with 10% vanadium content to hold an edge longer and has a proven history in woodturning. The steel is hardened to 62-64 Rockwell, triple tempered with a cryogenic treatment between the first and second temper. The cryogenic treatment at this stage transforms the bulk of the retained austenite to martensite and form very fine “eta” carbides much finer than tempering alone, this increases the durability and toughness of the steel. Nothing else can be done to this steel"

Re: Thanks to all

john lucas

Yes, Doug told me that the improved process allows them to harden it to a higher Rockwell and still retain the toughness. Older HSS tools from other manufacturers were hardened abour 58 rockwell. Any harder and the edge would chip. They have all made improvements and so has Doug.

Re: Thanks to all

Donna Banfield

Note, that Doug hardens the steel the entire length. This I know, because a few years ago I asked a friend with a metal lathe to turn one his steels down for me to fit into an unusual handle, and he couldn't cut the steel. That's when I recalled a conversation with Doug about how he makes his tools.

A good guy, a woodturner, who makes great tools. Can't do better than that.

Re: Time to replace tools

Don Stephan

Recently I saw a graphic and some discussion about flute shapes. Consensus seems to be that each manufacturer has their own version of U, V, and parabolic (and probably the spindle gouge flute as well). So you might not find all parabolic 1/2" bar bowl gouges for example feel as sweet in your hands. I'd suggest you ask some neighbor turners to let you make a few shavings with their tools until you've tried several brands, or at least tried one brand you are leaning towards.

Re: Time to replace tools

Reed Gray

I bought a name brand gouge a year or so ago to try the flute shape out. Couldn't figure out what was wrong with it because it kept going dull very quickly. then discovered it was made from standard M2 HSS. I have not turned with anything but V10, which Doug uses, and M42HSS which Dave Schweitzer of D Way tools uses, for years. They cost a bit more, but you get far more for your money. Both are really good men to deal with. I can't really tell any difference in the cutting abilities of their tools.

robo hippy

Re: Time to replace tools

Bruce, a MN Galoot

Good idea. I hadn’t thought about that.

A new thought- Hunter tools

john lucas

I taught 3 classes this summer that were designed to be very short and inexpensive just to get people interested in wood turning. I used a lot different Hunter tools but mostly those that could be used as scrapers. Bare in mind that these leave a cleaner finish than a flat scraper and they are carbide so you don't have to sharpen them.

Then I had 2 different beginner turners come over and I tried more or less the same thing but worked with them a little on using the Hunter Osprey and Hercules as bevel rubbing tools.

So here is my thought. If you were to start all over and don't know about HSS tools here is what I would pick. If your just interested in bowls and platters and maybe other pieces that don't have a lot of details the new Hunter Viceroy would be the tool to use. You use it like a scraper. It doesn't catch so there isn't a learning curve. You don't need a grinder because the cutter can't be sharpened and they last a long time. With just one tool you can do bowls, platters, pens, some Christmas ornaments and host of other things.

If your more serious about turning Then the Hunter Hercules or Osprey would be a better choice because you can use these as scrapers and bevel rubbing tools as well as shear scrapers. Once you learn to use the bevel rubbing concept buy a Hunter #5 Badger to use as a bottom feeder to do steep sided bowl bottoms and box interiors.

If you really get into turning you can get one of the back hollowing tools or the new angle tool. You can get the ornament hollowing tool. If you want to do hollow vessels get a Jamieson captured bar rig and put the Hunter #1 cutter on it with the swiveling tip.

With the tools used as scrapers there isn't much of a learning curve. Just learn to cut downhill with the grain for cleaner cuts. About the only thing I have trouble doing with the tools I mentioned above are thin ornament finials. You can, if you use the Osprey mini as a bevel rubbing tool but you can't get into tight places like the Drozda Vortex tool or toe of a skew can. Also takes a little practice to cut a square shouldered tenon but it's doable since everyone in my class managed.

So 5 or 6 tools and you saved the cost of a grinder and decent wheels and you can do all the turning you need.

what do you think

see, now you did it

Bruce, a MN Galoot

Even more to consider. Thanks for the info and options.

Re: A new thought- Hunter tools

Lyle Jamieson

Good reasoning John, a ton of info in there.