Wood turning tools

[resnikov]

I'm possibly getting a lathe if every thing goes to plan so I need to start looking for some tools. I'm not sure where to get them from. I don't want to spend to much if I can help it but I know you get what you pay for.

What sort of basic set of tools should I get?

 

[Harvestman]

I was told the basic tools are as follows (in order of priority):
Bowl gouge
Spindle gouge
Roughing gouge
Parting tool
Skew chisel

Certainly you can do most things with just a bowl gouge and a spindle gouge, but as with everything, the more tools you have the more you use. In the main though I just use the top 4 in that list.

Second hand tools are usually fine, and are probably a good place to start. Sharp tools are more important than getting high quality tools, but make sure that you buy tools suitable for a powered lathe. Those for use on a treadle or pole lathe are not suitable at all.

Axminster tools will be a good place to start if you are looking to buy from new, and will give you a fair idea of what is available.

Hope that helps.

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

Scraper, Gouge and Parting tool. Sharpen them often, if you use hardwoods like Beech, which we do at school.

 

[skate]

Always get the best you can afford. Cheap woodturning tools can be an accident waiting to happen.
Sorby, Crown, Ashley Illes or Henry Taylor make good quality tools. Axminster have a range of their own brand which are cheap but quite good.
To get started you could probably make do with about 5 or 6 tools. Many tools can be made yourself. Mainly scraping tools which can be formed from old wood chisels and files.
Axminster do a set of 6 tools for £71.50 which would be fine. A bench grinder is also vital but do some research on what wheels to use on it. A normal one will overheat the tool and weaken it.
Get hold of an Axminster tools catalogue it's full of good woodturning kit and read "Woodturning A foundation course" by Keith Rowley.
I joined a local woodturning club which was a massive help if you don't mind hanging out with a load of old men

 

[Harvestman]

Always get the best you can afford. Cheap woodturning tools can be an accident waiting to happen.
Sorby, Crown, Ashley Illes or Henry Taylor make good quality tools. Axminster have a range of their own brand which are cheap but quite good.
To get started you could probably make do with about 5 or 6 tools. Many tools can be made yourself. Mainly scraping tools which can be formed from old wood chisels and files.
Axminster do a set of 6 tools for £71.50 which would be fine. A bench grinder is also vital but do some research on what wheels to use on it. A normal one will overheat the tool and weaken it.
Get hold of an Axminster tools catalogue it's full of good woodturning kit and read "Woodturning A foundation course" by Keith Rowley.
I joined a local woodturning club which was a massive help if you don't mind hanging out with a load of old men

All of that is excellent advice.

 

[greensurfingbear]

I was told the basic tools are as follows (in order of priority):
Bowl gouge
Spindle gouge
Roughing gouge
Parting tool
Skew chisel.

Pretty much what I started with. Beware the skew chisel though.... It's the one I've wrecked the most work with lol


Orric

 

[resnikov]

Excellent, thank you all for the advice.

 

[Bundleman]

Build a pole lathe Cheaper all round.
if you learn to turn on a pole lathe your techniques will be better when you use a power lathe too.

 

[resnikov]

Build a pole lathe Cheaper all round.
if you learn to turn on a pole lathe your techniques will be better when you use a power lathe too.

Would like to do that but cannot argue at the price of this lathe, free!

 

[Bundleman]

Fair play.
To start with you'll only need...
large skew chisel 1.1/4"
small skew chisel 1/2"
roughing out gouge 3/4"
Bowl gouge 1/2"

Scrapers are the work of the devil!