Sorby texture tool verus the Taylor elf

[Drew]

Hi all,

a daft question for you, I've just had a birthday and am now the proud possessor of a Sorby texture and spiraling tool. But I have some spare cash left and have the opportunity to buy a Taylor elf for a reasonable amount. The question is does the elf do anything that the Sorby tool cannot and is it worth lashing out and buying one of them as well.

Cheers

Drew

 

[chipmunk]

Hi Drew,
I'd say it's a question of scale.

Sorby actually make two sizes of texturing and spiralling tools - a micro (http://www.robert-sorby.co.uk/microtoolsystem.htm) and a large unit (http://www.robert-sorby.co.uk/spiraltexture.htm) and so it depends which one you have as to whether the Elf will do something really unique or not.

Some may disagree but the Sorby tools excell at spiralling IMHO on both end-grain and side-grain. For the texturing I find the grain tearout on soft timbers especially quite difficult to keep under control. I'd say that the Elf is actually like a series of tiny spiralling cutters and it can also replace a chatter tool on end-grain.

I'd say that the Elf is probably most similar in scale to the micro Sorby tool although they work in slightly different ways and so if you make a lot of boxes or small items then you may still find that you use them both.

If you feel creative then it's quite possible to make your own Elf handle and the rest you can pick up quite cheaply.

You need some 1/2" brass bar (http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/acatalog/Engineering_Menu_Brass_Round_CZ121_371.html), two 1/8" bore bearing races of 5/16" diameter (http://www.arceurotrade.co.uk/Catalogue/Bearings/Ball-Bearings/Ball-Bearings---Imperial) a small plastic spacer between and a magnet in the bottom or better still an 8mm rare earth magnet with a 1/8" hole through it in the middle (http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-countersunk-magnets-prod783398/) and a piece of wood for the handle. Take about 6" of the brass rod and drill the end deep enough to take the bearing races and the spacer and/or magnet making sure the 1/8" hole goes deep enough. File down the end of the rod into a taper a few mm larger than the bearing races at the end and pein over the end to hold everything in place in the hole. Turn a handle to accept the brass rod and glue it in place.

Happy turning
Jon

 

[Drew]

Thanks for that Jon.

It is the large Sorby tool that I got for my birthday. I think I might get the elf as well and then I have all the bases covered.

All the best

Drew

 

[Spindle]

Hi

I own the large Sorby texturing and spiralling tool and have just watched a video on U Tube of the Elf. I can confirm that the Sorby tool will not replicate the effects of the Elf and vice versa.

Regards Mick

 

[Drew]

Thanks Mick

That settles the issue. Here we go for an Elf then

all the best

Drew

:lol: :lol: happy birthday to me happy birthday to me :lol: :lol:

 

[Bodrighy]

I have both and they are very different. Delicacy with the Sorby tool is difficult. The elf is ideal for smaller pieces and you can get dozens of different textures with the three basic tips/ Nick Agar has a video on YouTube demonstrating it. Worth a look

Pete

 

[henton49er]

I have both and they are very different. Delicacy with the Sorby tool is difficult. The elf is ideal for smaller pieces and you can get dozens of different textures with the three basic tips/ Nick Agar has a video on YouTube demonstrating it. Worth a look

Pete

+1 for what Pete says. Totally different tools and doing anything fine and delicate with the Sorby is virtually impossible. The Elf can texture a narrow band round (for example) a box or vase which would not be possible with the Sorby. I have both and use the Elf much more than the Sorby.

 

[Drew]

Thanks to everybody for the information. Hopefully I will be getting my elf next week.

all the best

Drew