beading tools for multiple identical beads

[Shay Vings]

The cheapest option for me seems to be the Sorby beading cutters for my existing RS200KT at around £13 each per 2 beads
Alternatives are single bead tools, e.g. Sorby, ashley, crown etc or the Sorby easy beader. All cost considerably more.

[attachment=0]beading.jpg[/attachment]

However, the Sorby beading cutters RS236/239 do seem to have rather wide shoulders compared to the single beaders, but presumably they work OK?

Any comments ?

 

[chipmunk]

You could always grind the Sorby wings off if they're too wide?

If you have any old HSS planer blades you could make your own cutters with a dremel grinding wheel to cut the groove and a tile drill (pointed TCT spade type) to cut the 5mm hole (use a dremel to dimple the HSS first).

If you haven't any old planer blades then you could buy a metalworking lathe tool from here...
http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Cutting-Tools/High-Speed-Steel-Toolbits

HTH
Jon

 

[CHJ]

Remember that these tools are basically scrapers, and to perform well they need to be very sharp.

Tools such as the Ashley Iles are very easy to sharpen on a wheel/belt or touch up with a diamond card and have many years of use in them because the flutes are long just like a turning gouge.

Flat beading cutters of a similar pattern to those used in hand tools are not easy to sharpen, you have to either have a profiled stone to match the cove or flatten the top surface with an abrasive stone or plate. In hand tools the cutting edge lasts for some time, on a lathe in my experience it is considerably shorter.

 

[Paul Hannaby]

Or you could buy a cheap spindle gouge and make your own beading tool by grinding it similar to the square bar tools shown in the photo.
Or cheaper still - practice your beading by hand with a gouge, skew, three point tool or beading/parting tool.

 

[paul-c]

i have to agree with paul
much more satisfying to practice and learn to do with a skew chisel
best of luck
paul-c