Lathe Tools for Newbie

[Brian Denton]

Hi,
I have been earning my living from making tables for a while, but a change in circumstance means I am back in the UK for a year and missing the smell, touch and feel to wood I went and spent some money on a lathe. The prime reason being that next year I can make my own legs for the tables I produce (copy lathe so legs are easy!), however, I would like to be able to play in the meantime and make some bowls and just stuff!

I am working on a farm and have access to a lot of green Oak and Ash following the storms of earlier this year.

My question to you all is about tools, I know you get what you pay for but what should I buy? I am thinking about a 1 1/4 inch roughing gauge and then a set of the tools with the carbide blades such as the Robert Sorby Turnmaster set or a cheaper equivalent, I don't want to be an 'all the gear but no idea' sort of person!

Now I know wood, but turning is completely new to me, so I would love some help . Any thoughts?

Brian

 

[Phil Pascoe]

I post this with monotonous regularity, but get a copy of this before you start (as new an edition as possible) -

http://www.waterstonesmarketplace.com/b ... &hs=Submit

 

[Brian Denton]

I post this with monotonous regularity, but get a copy of this before you start (as new an edition as possible) -



Haha!

I did mention that I am not a fool regarding woodworking, and yes I have read the books and watched the videos, I do nothing without consideration, but knowledge = power, and the thoughts of those who use lathes every day will add to my confidence. Tools are important, and help more so!

Thanks

B

 

[LancsRick]

What are you looking to turn? Green wood is easy to turn, but not easy to turn lasting things from.

 

[Brian Denton]

Hi,

Basically, I miss my workshop and have only the chancel to use a small area, so Lathe came to mind! I just like making things, turned green, live edge bowls, which can then warp I think are attractive, and I would like to try.

I have too much time on my hands and just need to fill it, either by the pub or the lathe!

B

 

[LancsRick]

If you're looking at bowl work then I'd suggest something like a 1/4" and 1/2" bowl gouge, roughing gouge, and a parting tool. Those would be the bare minimum I'd go with personally.

 

[Brian Denton]

Hi,

Thanks, do you have any thoughts on the make of tools? And these Turnmaster type ones?

B

 

[stewart]

My own experience of carbide tipped tools is that I find them harder to get clean cuts with than gouges. I've got a Sorby bowl gouge and do almost all of my bowl work with it. Lovely tool.

 

[LancsRick]

Can't give you a comparison of brands I'm afraid but I've got Henry Taylors and have always found them good.

In terms of the Turnmaster, I've never used them but I know what they are. I'd suggest it depends if you want to learn to turn properly, or if you just want something to remove wood with. I have no doubt that the Turnmaster variants require skill too, but for me turning is about gouges and chisels, bevel rubs and "woodturners sway". The only time I use any sort of carbide cutter is on my long hollowing tool, everything else is traditional.

 

[Robbo3]

A spindle roughing gouge isn't going to be a lot of use to you if you only turn bowls. It's called a spindle roughing gouge for a reason - you only use it on grain parallel to the axis.
The same applies to the skew - except where it's used flat on the rest as a scraper or the long point is used to incise a small vee.
A bowl gouge can also be used to rough the timber.
If you want a set of carbide tipped tools, try Glenn Teagle
- http://www.ukwoodcraftandcarbidechisels.co.uk/

 

[Phil Pascoe]

The best are probably Ashley Iles, followed by Henry Taylor and Robert Sorby. Then come Axminster, Hamlet, Crown, Record Power and one or two others. I believe most people would agree on A.I. but the ranking of the rest is debatable. A.I. tools can be bought unhandled, which is a plus.

 

[SVB]

The best are probably Ashley Iles, followed by Henry Taylor and Robert Sorby. Then come Axminster, Hamlet, Crown, Record Power and one or two others. I believe most people would agree on A.I. but the ranking of the rest is debatable. A.I. tools can be bought unhandled, which is a plus.

Controversial! :lol:


So my equally 'balanced' view (i.e. Based on my experience turning and helping other club members only!)

I think the Henry Taylor 'superflute' bowl gouges are the best profile bowl gouge flute out there with record power gouges probably the worst shape.

I'm not sure if is is still the case but HT / Hamlet and axminster tools I think are all made in the same place by the same people. AI make good tools and have great attention to detail. Crown are fine and normally a bit cheaper.

There are also many wonderful tools made overseas - Carter Toolworks, Doug Thompson tools, Oneway etc so UK does not have the monopoly but these tend to be more expensive and probably best considered if you get the bug as verge on the boutique level to some extent.

I terms of first set, I'd go for a 3/8" bowl gouge, 3/4" oval skew, 3/8" spindle gouge, round nose scraper (record power for these as cheap for a huge lump of HSS). Next up for me would be couple more bowl gouges - 1/4" and 5/8" (HT HS1 is my go-to gouge), this would be for detail and the 5/8" will allow bigger roughing cuts and double as spindle roughing gouge. By then you'll be into it and know the direction your going. If you get into hollowing and have a supply of green timber the Rolly Munro hollowing tool is, imho, peerless but not cheap - I've tried loads of others and wish I bit the bullet and went straight for the RM from the outset.

S