1/2 x 1/2 x 18" steel for Bedan source?

Re: 1/2 x 1/2 x 18" steel for Bedan source?

Dwight Rutherford

MSC or McMaster-Carr will have what you want.

These are the dimensions of the French....

JamieDonaldson

...bedan as defined by Jean Francois Escoulen, among the most skilled turners I have ever seen. M2 HSS would be quite adequate for a bedan that square, but 18" is long enough to make 2 bedans, and you might find a YouTube of Jeano Escoulen using his.

Re: 1/2 x 1/2 x 18" steel for Bedan source?

john lucas

I would call Doug Thompson and ask why size tool blanks he has. I think most are larger scraper blanks but it would be worth a call.

Re: 1/2 x 1/2 x 18" steel for Bedan source?

John in Lutz

A bedan is not square but rather a trapezoid (I think, with the sides tapered). Without milling equipment accomplishing this uniformly could be hard. If you want a quality tool contact either Doug with Thompson tools or Dave with D-Way tools and see what they might have or be willing to make. However if this is just something you want to do for fun go for it with one of the suppliers mentioned.

Re: 1/2 x 1/2 x 18" steel for Bedan source?

David Walser

I may be wrong (if so, I expect someone will correct me), but high-speed steel (HSS) is a fairly broad category of steel, while M2 is a fairly specific specification for a type of steel that falls within that category. So asking if we'd prefer HSS or M2 is a bit like asking if we'd prefer a pickup truck or an F-150 (please, no jokes about how the new F-150's aren't real trucks compared to brand 'x').

M2 has been the 'standard' steel for woodturning tools for a really long time. However, other, newer HSS steels have been on the market for 10+ years. Doug Thompson uses A-11 that has been triple tempered with a cryogenic treatment between the first and second temper. Others use M42. These newer steels should last longer between sharpening (that's been my experience), but they also cost more.

Do you really want a 1/2" square blank? If you're going to be reaching a long way over the tool rest, you might need the tool to be that thick. If not, I'm afraid the extra thickness will get in your way as you turn beads. Just a thought.

John, you are describing the "English".........

JamieDonaldson

....bedan that is also usually 3/8" wide, but the Escoulen "French" bedan is 1/2" square.

Re: 1/2 x 1/2 x 18" steel for Bedan source?

Don Evans

I was taught how to use a Bedan by Jean Francois Escoulen and purchased one from him, his hand to mine. It is 1/4" x 1/2" not sure of the length so I would guess 10" long. The sides are 90 deg not angled.

I also have a 3/8" Hamlet Bedan, it's HSS but don't know which steel other than that. It doesn't come close to the smooth cuts of the French one.

The 1/4" wide one is my favorite tool with small stuff and it is one of the best cutting tools I have if not the best.

My point is that seldom do I use the full width of the tool on any cut, I admit that I am a finess turner but if I try to use more that 1/3 the width on a cut it just doesn't cut as well. Also the one from Escoulen has never been on a grinder but I hone it with an EZE lap 600 grit. Point being I don't really see using one that is 1/2".

Don

Re: 1/2 x 1/2 x 18" steel for Bedan source?

Barry Irby

I think I have a piece of steel that was a bit for a metal lathe. I took it's twin and made a scraper out of it. IIRC, it's about a 1/2" square and four inches long. I drove mine into a piece of pipe and put a wooden handle on it. If you are interested, I will try to rummage it up and send it to you. You could have someone weld it onto a shaft.

Re: 1/2 x 1/2 x 18" steel for Bedan source?

John C Lucas

Are you going to use it as a skew the way Escoulen uses it or as a parting or peeling tool. That would affect how thick it needs to be. I have a carbon steel tool that looks like a bedan. Its actually a mortising chisel. I use it l8ke a bedan sometimes.wben teaching the skew.

Re: 1/2 x 1/2 x 18" steel for Bedan source?

JL

I am not turning beads. I can do that quite well with my 3/8" Bedan.

I am either tapering or making straight tenons.

Re: 1/2 x 1/2 x 18" steel for Bedan source?

JL

Probably in a similar fashion.

As I said, either straight tenons or tapers - so basically straight lines.

If I am doing shorter pieces with a chuck, I use one of my skew chisels - for turning between centers, I use my 3/8" Bedan.

Re: 1/2 x 1/2 x 18" steel for Bedan source?

Mike Mills

For square you may want to check out WTTools.

The 1/2" X 8" HSS with 5% cobalt is $15. 2219-0036

The 6" length without cobalt is $7.50; it appears they are out of the 8" without cobalt (normally $9).

To me it is worth it to the get the cobalt anyway.

I use them as scrapers for boxes and small items. One end normal, the other end negative rake.

http://www.wttool.com/index/page/category/category_id/15882/#product_listing=%3Fcurrent_page%3D1%26results_per_page%3D20%26order_by%3D%26search_params%3D

MSC - M42 steel

JL

Has M42 in 8" lengths. Which may work.

I want enough to embed in the handle. I was thinking that at least a 12" length would give me 4" or more in the handle.

Is it pre hardened

John C Lucas

I know very little a.bout M42 but think its in the class of particle metals. HSS or particle metal steels.are beyond what we can heat treat at home. I need to look further into that steel.

Re: Is it pre hardened

Bill Boehme

M42 is not a particle metal steel. It is high in cobalt.