Holy crap thats sharp,

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CaptG

CaptG

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Otsego, Mi, USA.
that is my new woodchuck for pens from Ken (bitshird) that arrived today. I decided to test it on a carbon fiber vertex blank as I just got a request for a carbon fiber shop pen from a motorhead. WOW, 5 minutes from start to completion of pen. That tool cut so fast and smooth I would not have believed it if I was not the one using it. Took the blank right to size and needed NO sanding. I went from turning to EEE polish and assembly. 5 minutes to make a pr pen. Unbelievable. Turning will never be the same. Thanks Ken. I am including a picture of the pen. I did not sand or micro mesh, just applied EEE after turning to size. I am still having a hard time believing it, I better go turn another pen.
 

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I bought my carbides off Ken and they are great. I get ribbons off antler as though I am turning acrylics. And acrylics turn like butter.
 
WOW! That is a cool pen, but i am blown away at the sanding claims! I gotta getta woodchuck! Now i have a reasonable argument for SWMBO! "But Baby, Think of all the money and time i will save not messing with micromesh, You know that crazy expensive sandpaper i like so much!"
 
I also used my Woodchuck for the first time today. I was amazed at the ease in which it cut an acrylic blank down. Far superior to standard tools.
Tom
 
witz1976 said:
*sheesh* I am going to have to get one of those too...that is an unbelievable claim. But it was backed up too. I am never going to have money am I?
Click to expand...

Pen turners can expect to have money??? :) Also remember that the blank used with the 5 minute pen was one of my carbon fiber blanks that already have the tube in when cast and come off the shelf with the ends already squared. All I needed to do was plug in the bushings and put it in the lathe. An acrylic blank that needs to be drilled, glued, trimmed and squared is going to take longer, but the turning will be incredible.
 
Not to cause a firestorm or anything, but can anyone tell me if there is a big difference between this tool and the Easy Wood Tools?

If this is a lot better, I would not mind investing in one, but I already own the Ci1, Ci0 and the Ci2 versions. The Ci1 is too big to really be effective on pens but roughs out bowls just fine. The Ci0 is a round finishing cutter, again, too large for pens. The Ci2 is smaller, but the length of the tool and handle make it awkward to use on pens. But when using the Ci2 I also see some tear out of acrylic blanks as well as some wood blanks.

Again, just an honest question asking for a comparison. No negativity intended at all.
 
Padre, I cannot speak from first hand use of the Woodchuck. But I do own both the Rotondo and the Skogger. Both of these are pen turning tools of this ilk that where made by a pen turner for penturning. Since the Woodchuck is also made by a penturner and I also assume for penturning. I will say that it also has the same advantages.
First it fits. it is a great length not to big not to small and does what it was made to do extremely well. I woudl buy both again in a heart beat, they do exactly what I bought them for and more. I wanted something that would take the hogging off the majority of the blank work of my turning tools. these tools has taken almost all the work off my other tools. they don't do beads and coves and are not that great for parting work. but other than that I believe the turning tool has reached a new age in these type of tools. It would be best if there was a local group gathering or someone local that you could give one a test drive since your other tools may very well do the job as well. I know the skooger is such a stout tool though that I woudl not pause for a second to turn pepper mills with it. I hear they are not so good at bowls though.
 
Padre said:
Not to cause a firestorm or anything, but can anyone tell me if there is a big difference between this tool and the Easy Wood Tools?

If this is a lot better, I would not mind investing in one, but I already own the Ci1, Ci0 and the Ci2 versions. The Ci1 is too big to really be effective on pens but roughs out bowls just fine. The Ci0 is a round finishing cutter, again, too large for pens. The Ci2 is smaller, but the length of the tool and handle make it awkward to use on pens. But when using the Ci2 I also see some tear out of acrylic blanks as well as some wood blanks.

Again, just an honest question asking for a comparison. No negativity intended at all.
Click to expand...

Chip, A big difference is Price, both the tool and the inserts (the inserts are made by the same company) the Pen Pro has a nice 1/2 in wide footprint on the tool rest and the radius inserts aren't as prone to tearing out and chipping as the square inserts, the 4 inch length, makes it comfortable to work with for an extended length of time.
I have a 5-1/2 inch handle on my personal tool and wind up using it once I have the corners knocked off the square ash 2x2s I make handles from.
It's pretty much the same principle let the tool rest take the beating and spend time cutting, not sharpening. same with the other tools Daniel mentioned. they are made expressly for pen turning not as an afterthought.
 
Check your email! :biggrin:

bitshird said:
Chip, A big difference is Price, both the tool and the inserts (the inserts are made by the same company) the Pen Pro has a nice 1/2 in wide footprint on the tool rest and the radius inserts aren't as prone to tearing out and chipping as the square inserts, the 4 inch length, makes it comfortable to work with for an extended length of time.
I have a 5-1/2 inch handle on my personal tool and wind up using it once I have the corners knocked off the square ash 2x2s I make handles from.
It's pretty much the same principle let the tool rest take the beating and spend time cutting, not sharpening. same with the other tools Daniel mentioned. they are made expressly for pen turning not as an afterthought.
Click to expand...
 
Got mine today. Wow, what a difference. I can't believe I waited this long. I should have got the Pen Pro when I first started out. Thx Ken. The Pen Pro is awesome.
 
Padre said:
Not to cause a firestorm or anything, but can anyone tell me if there is a big difference between this tool and the Easy Wood Tools?

If this is a lot better, I would not mind investing in one, but I already own the Ci1, Ci0 and the Ci2 versions. The Ci1 is too big to really be effective on pens but roughs out bowls just fine. The Ci0 is a round finishing cutter, again, too large for pens. The Ci2 is smaller, but the length of the tool and handle make it awkward to use on pens. But when using the Ci2 I also see some tear out of acrylic blanks as well as some wood blanks.

Again, just an honest question asking for a comparison. No negativity intended at all.
Click to expand...

I have the "Things Western" tool (http://--------------------) the 5/8" square cutter.

Whoops, correct (I hope) link here: http://www.thingswestern.com/3.html

It is unbelieveable how these tools work with antler, after woodworking gouges, skews, and scrapers. I have not tried finishing directly from the chisel's finish, but suppose I could -- I'll try a test one, and see how it looks. But the chisel finish is definately better than 400 grit.

I like the handles on these -- a heavy rubber grip, very comfortable to work with.
 
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