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How good are D-Way Tools?

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How good are D-Way Tools?

#1

How good are D-Way Tools?

Ralph Lindberg

Really good

I needed a taller tool post for my McNaughton Coring gate. Not real tough, just a piece of 1-inch mild steel rod, with section about 1-1/2 inches long turned down to ¾ of an inch.

I don’t have a metal lathe, but I do have a 3-jaw machinist chuck that fits on one of the lathes and some of Dave’s M42 tools.

Well, M42 is used to machine steel….

It took some playing around to find which of the tools I have cut the best. With the approach angle I was using the best tool was the Bottom Feeder gouge. I found this tool, riding the bevel, produced the biggest chips. I also found that the edge lasted about as long (cutting time) as this same edge does turning a bowl.

Now hand turning steel does not produce a finish as nice as you will get from a regular machinist lathe, but with a little time with a file produces an acceptable finish for my needs.

This is also not something I could recommend for the novice turner, maintaining a constant approach angle is critical

But the really impressive part was how well the D-Way tools cut mild steel.

(Yes Dave is an old friend of mine)

Re: How good are D-Way Tools?

#2

Re: How good are D-Way Tools?

David Walser

Short answer: Very good.

There are other brands that I consider to be in the same ‘class’. Carter and Sons are made with the same steel. Thompson uses a different, but arguably just as good if not better steel, in his tools. With any of these three, what’s separates one from the others in performance is the geometry of the tool — which comes down to personal preference.

By the way, I believe Dave at D-Way is no longer making tool rests.

Re: How good are D-Way Tools?

#3

turning mild steel

John K Jordan

>>>...the really impressive part was how well the D-Way tools cut mild steel.

That's good to know. I used Thompson tools to turn steel on the wood lathes. Slow but worked. (Brass and aluminum are a lot easier!)

Machinists have used "gravers" freehand for ages to shape steel. Gravers look like scrapers to me.

JKJ

Re: How good are D-Way Tools?

#4

Ive turned my chuck several times.

John C Lucas

Not intentionally but was amazed it didnt hurt my thompson tools at all. I have trued up a faceplate using HSS steel tools.

Re: How good are D-Way Tools?

#5

Re: How good are D-Way Tools?

Bob_Macgregor

A few years ago, I bought some machinist HSS tool bits to make Oland tools. These work nicely for small, freehand metal jobs on the lathe.

Re: How good are D-Way Tools?

#6

Good Idea

Bill Howatt

This seems like a smart approach to turning metals. Cheap bits and they can be ground to optimum cutting shapes without fooling with your wood turning tools.

Bill

Re: How good are D-Way Tools?

#7

Re: How good are D-Way Tools?

Ralph Lindberg

David, Dave stopped making tool rests a few years ago when he turned production over to a regional machine shop, which has since stopped making them.

Which is why his friend (and mine) Jimmy Allen is now making the same style. But he restricting his to 5/8 shaft for the smaller lathes

Jimmy is also about to introduce his own line of smaller tools just for box making.

Re: How good are D-Way Tools?

#8

Re: Good Idea

mikeee12345

I picked up a set of M2 HSS cutting bits at Harbor Freight Item #40641 ($4.49)

and made a set of small tools which work for free handing metal on the wood lathe.

It also comes with a thin cut-off tool which is perfect for making a thin parting tool.

👍 This page answered my questions

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