Lathe Tools???

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McBryde

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I am new to turning pens, and the lathe in general as owning one, but have turned some things before. My question is, wht type of turning tools do I need to get? Starting out on a fixed budget, should I get a more expensive set of tools, or go a cheaper route? What is the main differences, would the cheaper ones last me a while, or not be good to start with? What are some good brands to look for, and some bad ones to stay away from?

Thanks,

Emerson
 
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I would start with the highest priced set at Harber Freight, that way you can over come the sharpening curve with cheaper tools, then go from there.
 
still using my cheap ones , almost 1-1/2 years . use the money for bushings , kits and supplies. as you learn you will want more stuff but some you can do with out. i use my drill press to press pens together, i still use my drill press to drill some blanks.
David
 
To answer your question: good tools will last longer. They hold an edge much better than lower grade steels, therefore need less sharpening and give longer, more enjoyable turning.
That said, many people begin with inexpensive tools and upgrade as the need arises and budget allows. The HF set, and others, will do you OK for starters. Also, prowl flea markets and antique shops. Some great used tools can occasionally be found for very little money.
 
Agree with Frank (I seem to do that a lot.. guess he makes sense sometimes.. )
but always get the best you can afford for the service... but keep in mind that the tools don't make the turner... getting a cheaper set and learning to use them, including the sharpening, then upgrading as you feel the need to may be a more practical way to go... there's not a lot of economy in taking an expensive tool to the grinder to learn to sharpen and wind up grinding away 1/2 the tool...

I'm still working with some of the original tools I got 8 years ago, I think mine were a mid-range set of tools and still serve me well...
 
Emerson;

I agree with the other posts...I would buy a lower priced set of 6+/- pcs. ( roughing gouge, skew, scraper, detail gouge, etc) all of the major supplies will offer a decent set for $ 75-100. The reason it is wise to start with a less expensive set is that you will eat up a lot of the tool as you learn to sharpen. If you are going to turn bowl then i would invest in a good 1/2" bowl gouge with fingernail grind...you will find that you can use this on many different cuts and projects. I Like the Sorbey line of tools, great quality and value.

Have fun
greg
 
The Harbour Freight set is a good place to start. I bought mine 2 years ago and still use it for all my pens. I have bought other tools to do other things such as bowls but still only use the HF tools for pens and bottle stoppers.
 
I will pitch for the cheap HIGH SPEED STEEL tools to start with. Note the caps. There are also high carbon steel tooling for lathes out there -- especially used tooling. Did I mention that you want to be sure it says High Speed Steel or HSS on the shank.

but the best thing you can do is get to a woodturnig club (American Association of Woodturners has a list available on the web site.) and try some tools that others use. Get some hands on demos and practice on sharpening.

I have a bucket full of lathe tools, and still use some of the Benjamin Best and harbor freight tools. I especially like the harbor freight tooling for trying different grinds One of the skews is now a dovetail scraper. A spindle gouge is migrating to being a cindy drosda style spindle grind -- if it does not work, I am out 6 bucks vs purchase of a $50 new tool that I may or may not like.

Did I say to be sure to get High Speed Steel for your tools to start with???
 
I don't have any experience with the HF tools - I started with a set of 6 Craftsmen and they are still used some. Since that set I have purchased all Sorby and Henry Taylor. For pens I use a 1/2 Sorby skew for most of my turning. It is a thinner blade than the one that came with the Crafstmen set and easy to keep sharp. Mostly I sharpen it with a piece of sandpaper that I glued down on a piece of plywood.
 
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